A new entry-level version of the budget-priced MG 3 hatch is around the corner, alongside safety upgrades for all models after earning three stars in independent testing last year.
The MG 3 city hatch is set to add a new entry-level variant to the range close to 12 months after the latest-generation model arrived with a $7000 price rise.
But it is far from certain the new MG 3 Vibe – due in showrooms this June, pending any delays – will return, or even get close to the sub-$20,000 drive-away price point of the outgoing car.
Pricing and equipment for the entry-level MG 3 Vibe are yet to be announced, but it is set to be offered solely with a 1.5-litre petrol engine, without a hybrid option.
The cheapest MG 3 Excite is currently listed on special for $22,888 drive-away nationwide, down from an RRP of $23,990 plus on-road costs that would typically correlate to about $25,900 and $26,600 drive-away, depending on where it is registered.
MG Motor Australia chief commercial officer Giles Belcher told Drive it is no certainty the Vibe will undercut the Excite, once the special offer is factored in.
"Yes, we are looking to bring in a Vibe variant," he said.
"Whether the price drops for that, or whether that slots in at that price point, we will work out. It is still under discussion, to be honest, at the moment."
A lower price would bring the latest MG 3 closer to the previous-generation, decade-old model, which left showrooms priced from $18,990 drive-away.
Belcher said brand-new supply of the outgoing MG 3 has run out, after stockpiling vehicles in the final months of production.
"We don't have any. The dealers still have some demonstrators left, I believe, but I don't think there are any new cars left in the country, just probably a few demos kicking around."
The MG 3 Vibe is expected to ride on 15-inch steel wheels with hubcaps (pictured top of story) – as these have been homologated for sale locally, government documents show – but it's unclear what else it will strip out to hit a sharper price.
Using overseas markets as a guide, features the base model could omit include push-button start (adding a turn-key instead), power-folding mirrors, and adaptive cruise control.
Where MG is unlikely to compromise is in safety features such as lane-keep assist and speed sign recognition, as these are necessary features to achieve high marks in ANCAP crash testing.
MG executives told media last year a safety upgrade was planned for the MG 3 after it was awarded three stars last year, falling just short of the minimum performance for a four-star result.
While it was suggested at the time structural upgrades would be included in the change, Belcher suggested the update may focus on "just ADAS," the car-industry term for crash-avoidance technology.
"There are some features there which will, basically, improve the rating. We'll get into the details a little bit later," MG Motor Australia product planner Kevin Kou told Drive.
These are due in showrooms in June, alongside the Vibe grade, assuming no delays. It is yet to be confirmed if prices will increase.
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
