The now Chinese owned brand MG has unveiled Australia’s first sub-$40,000 new electric vehicle – the entry level Excite version of the MG4 which will be priced from $38,990, before on road costs.
The pricing revelation for the MG4, an all-electric hatchback that will be available for purchase from August, makes it the country’s most affordable EV – at a time when interest in switching to electric transport is at an all time high.
The share of EVs in the new car market is sitting well above 7 per cent in Australia over recent months , and more than 20 per cent in the ACT. Until now, however, there have been few EVs on offer for lower than $50,000.
The announcement from MG comes just days before BYD is due to reveal prices for its own “affordable” EV, the Dolphin.
MG says the entry level MG4 Excite 51 will be priced from just $38,990 plus on-road costs, while the 64kWh Excite will be priced from $44,990 plus on-roads, and the 64kWh Essence will be go for $47,990 plus on-road costs.
A 77kWh version of the MG4 will retail for $55,990 plus on-road costs.
“Australians are doing it tough amid cost of living pressures, I know they are feeling those rising pressures at supermarkets, when they’re buying fuel, when they’re paying their energy bills,” MG Motor Australia and New Zealand CEO Peter Ciao
“Like I did when I launched the ZS EV, and as MG has done with our other models, we are creating affordable and accessible cars and the MG4 is helping Aussies get into an electric vehicle sooner than later.”
Previously, the cheapest variant announced was the 64 kWh Excite variant with three variants.
Including the new entry-level variant, the line-up looks even more attractive for those looking to make the switch to an EV:
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Excite 51 kWh (New) – $38,990
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Excite 64 kWh – $44,990
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Essence 64 kWh – $47,990
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Essence 77 kWh – $55,990
The pricing of the car excludes on-roads but does make it eligible for various state and territory subsidies across the country. Unfortunately, it will not be eligible for any rebate in Victoria after it cancelled the subsidy scheme for those looking at purchasing an EV after June 30. The biggest rebates – $6,000 – are in Queensland.
Unlike the popular MG ZS EV, the MG4 will be the first EV to be based on MG’s new Modular Scalable Platform (MSP). This will allow for the car to deliver 50:50 weight distribution and thinner battery technology. MG says it will retire the standard variant of the ZS EV but retain the long range versions.
The MSP platform is also designed to offer scalability for future EVs while delivering on greater interior and storage space throughout the interior.
On the safety front, the car comes standard with the MG Pilot safety suite which includes:
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Active Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Bicycle Detection
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Adaptive Cruise Control with Traffic Jam Assist
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Intelligent Speed Limit Assist with Traffic Sign Recognition
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Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning System
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Driver Attention Alert
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Intelligent High Beam Assist
All four variants that are destined for Australia are offered in rear-wheel-drive powertrain. The brand is also considering a more powerful all-wheel-drive X-Power variant for the Australian market as well.
On the exterior, the Excite variants in both 51 kWh and 64 kWh configurations will be offered with 17-inch alloy wheels with two-tone aero covers.
Meanwhile, the upper Essense variants in 64 kWh and 77 kWh offerings will come with larger 18-inch alloy wheels. The premium Essence models will be offered with a black roof and unique rear light bar design.
Staying on the outside, the MG4 will be offered in seven colours locally:
A 7-year, unlimited kilometre fully-transferable warranty will also be offered on the MG4 as standard.