2023 MG CyberE electric hatchback teased, reveal due this year
China’s MG is preparing to reveal a new electric small car, sized similarly to a Toyota Corolla – with styling inspired by 2021’s Cyberster concept.
Chinese-owned car maker MG is working on a new electric hatchback to rival the Nissan Leaf and Cupra Born, slated for launch in Europe later this year.
Spied testing in Europe and China in recent months, the new MG model (which could wear the ‘MG 4’ name) will be revealed in UK-market, right-hand-drive form in the final months of 2022, and will become MG’s fourth European electric car, following the ZS EV small SUV, Marvel R medium SUV and MG 5 wagon.
While teaser images released by MG UK provide only a glimpse at the new model, patent images unearthed earlier this week showcase its styling in full – revealing inspiration has been drawn from the Cyberster sports car concept of 2021.
The Cyberster links are no coincidence, as MG is reportedly plotting a new ‘Cyber’ sub-brand of electric vehicles for the Chinese market – with the new MG hatch rumoured to be badged CyberE, alongside CyberX and CyberS SUVs, and the production version of the Cyberster concept.
MG UK has confirmed the new electric hatchback will measure 4.3 metres long – making it 75mm shorter than Australia’s top-selling, petrol-powered Toyota Corolla, and a similar size to the Nissan Leaf and Cupra Born electric hatchbacks the new MG will rival.
Technical specifications are yet to be confirmed, however it could draw close to the facelifted MG ZS EV small SUV, which pairs electric motors developing up to 130kW/300Nm with 51kWh or 72kWh batteries for up to 440km of range.
Spy photos suggest the inclusion of independent rear suspension akin to a Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus – while rumours indicate the MG may ride on a new dedicated electric vehicle platform, capable of Level 3 semi-autonomous driving and 5G connectivity.
Inside, spy images suggest a tablet-style infotainment screen, leather-wrapped steering wheel and seats, and plenty of metallic interior accents.
While the new MG model might debut in UK-market production form in the fourth quarter of 2022 (October to December), British publication Autocar reported earlier this year a concept version will debut at the Beijing motor show in April.
It’s not certain if the fourth quarter date refers to the car’s arrival in UK showrooms, or simply its right-hand-drive debut – with the latter likely to push first deliveries into 2023.
MG Australia is yet to confirm the vehicle for local showrooms, though the company has found success with the MG ZS EV electric SUV, which in pre-facelift form was Australia’s second best-selling electric vehicle in 2021.
It is expected the new model will continue to be sold alongside the existing (and smaller) MG 3 city car, which has been on sale in China for more than a decade.
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