After a lengthy teaser cycle, SAIC Motor Malaysia has now finally opened the order books for the MG4 EV here on our shores. The C-segment electric hatchback will be offered in four variants, with pricing estimated to start from RM104k. All variants of the MG4 comes with a 7-year/150,000 km mileage vehicle warranty, alongside an 8-year/180,000 km battery warranty.
- MG4 Standard – RM104,000
- MG4 LUX – RM129,000
- MG4 LUX Extended Range – RM149,000
- MG4 XPOWER – RM159,000
Dimensions wise, the MG4 EV occupies roughly the same footprint as the Volskwagen Golf, measuring in at 4,287 mm long (+3 mm), 1,836 mm wide (+47 mm), and 1,504 mm tall (+48 mm), with a wheelbase of 2,705 mm (+69 mm).
The MG4 EV is definitely a lot sharper in appearance, however, standing out with its sharp automatic projector LED headlights, aggressive body kit and rear spoiler, plus a massive full-width LED taillight bar that forms a shelf-like structure on the rear fascia.
Wheel options start at 17-inch on the standard car, moving up to 18-inch items (pictured here) on the three higher-end variants, alongside a more aggressive twin aero rear spoiler and a blacked-out roof. And to identify the XPower variant, all you have to do is to look for the orange brake calipers.
The MG4 will be available in seven exterior colours: Volcano Orange, Holborn Blue, Dynamic Red, Arctic White, Camden Grey, Black Pearl, Monument Silver, and an exclusive matte option of Racing Green for the MG4 XPower. The Lux and Extended Range variants can also be optioned with a two-tone blacked out roof.
Performance wise, all variants on of the MG4 are driven by a single electric motor on the rear axle, making 170 hp (125 kW) and 250 Nm on the base Standard variant, 203 hp (150 kW) and 250 Nm on the Lux, and 245 hp (180 kW) and 350 Nm on the Extended Range Lux variant. That translates to a century sprint time of 7.5 seconds, 7.7 seconds, and 6.1 seconds respectively.
The Standard variant is powered by a 51 kWh battery pack for an electric range of 350 km (WLTP), while the Lux gets a larger 64 kWh battery for 430 km of range. The Lux Extended goes even further with a 77 kWh battery pack that brings its driving range up to 520 km.
For charging, the MG4 EV comes with an on-board 7 kW AC charger, and can accept DC fast charging of up to 150 kW. Charging speeds vary according to variant (estimated charging time for 10-100% on 7 kW AC, 10-80% on 150 kW DC):
- MG4 STD: AC – 8 hours, DC – 37 minutes
- MG4 LUX: AC – 8.5 hours, DC – 26 minutes
- MG4 EXTENDED LUX: AC – 10 hours, DC – 38 minutes
- MG4 XPOWER: AC – 8.5 hours, DC – 26 minutes
The more exciting variant is, however, the top-of-the-range XPower, that gets an additional motor on the front axle that brings its outputs up to 435 hp (320 kW) and 600 Nm. 0-100 km/h on here takes just 3.7 seconds, and with the same 64 kWh battery as the Lux, the XPower is able to travel up to 385 km in a single charge.
As a nod to the brand’s origins, SAIC says that the MG 4 EV will be fun to drive, courtesy of its rear-wheel drive set-up (on most variants), 50:50 weight distribution on the X-Power, and low centre of gravity courtesy of the low overall height and the “thinnest battery in its class” laid underneath the floor.
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In sharp contrast to its loud exterior design, the MG4 EV’s cabin can only be described as minimalist. A standard-fit 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display and seven-inch digital instrument cluster sit atop the horizontal dashboard design, while a floating centre console that houses a rotary gear selector and a wireless charging pad (Lux and above variants) pretty much concludes the MG4’s interior styling.
Standard equipment in the MG4’s interior include automatic climate control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, six airbags, one-touch driver window switch, leather steering wheel, and iSmart remote control mobile app connectivity.
The Lux variant and above adds on a six-way powered driver seat, a 360-degree surround-view monitor, Bluetooth mobile phone keyless access, dual-tone leather upholstery, auto-dimming rearview mirror, automatic up/down window switches for all windows, and a six-speaker 3D sound system.
The X-Power takes it one step further with black Alcantara-like upholstery on the inside, alongside metal sports pedals.
As for safety, an advanced driver assistance suite consisting of autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, and high-beam assist comes as standard across the board.
The MG4 Lux and above variants add on lane-change assist, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic assist, and door opening warning onto the kit list.
GALLERY
