The next MG 4 electric vehicle is set to change the game with a semi-solid-state battery, and might sport a new moniker if it arrives in Australian showrooms.
Electric Cars
After just three years in production, MG is already preparing the next-generation MG 4 electric car for global markets, and it could be renamed in Australia.
A recent trademark filing for the 'MG4 EV Urban' name has emerged, indicating the brand’s most popular all-electric model could be rechristened Down Under – possibly to be sold alongside the existing MG 4.
First revealed in March, the second-generation MG 4 sports modernised styling and an enlarged footprint as an attempt to revitalise sales of the nameplate in China, where the original has languished behind rivals in popularity.
Measuring 4395mm long, 1842mm wide, up to 1551mm tall and with a 2750mm wheelbase, the new MG 4 is bigger in all dimensions than the previous car, while the exterior design takes cues from MG’s current generation of models such as the Cyberster and S5 EV.
Inside, the 2026 MG 4 boasts a redesigned cabin featuring a new centre console and larger infotainment touchscreen, the latter adopting technology from Chinese smartphone brand Oppo.
However, underneath, the new MG 4 is equipped with a semi-solid-state battery designed to improve driving range and reduce charging times.
The Chinese model is reportedly fitted with a 70kWh battery, which is rated to travel up to 537km on the less-stringent CLTC testing standard, while a 30-80 per cent recharge will take around 20 minutes.
Driving the rear wheels is a single electric motor with a 120kW output.
The current MG 4 range offered in Australia starts with the 125kW/250Nm Excite fitted with a 51kWh battery for a driving range rating of 350km based on the WLTP standard.
The larger 64kWh battery found in Excite and Essence grades up the range figure to 450km, while outputs from the single, rear-drive motor also increase to 150kW/250Nm.
The Essence variant is also available with a 77kWh battery for a driving range rating of 530km.
DC fast charging is available on the existing car, at up to 138kW, for a 10 to 80 per cent battery fill in around 28 minutes.
And while the original MG 4 has not been a solid sales hit in its home market of China, it has found success elsewhere in the world, such as the UK and Australia.
This brings into question the suitability of bringing the new-generation MG 4 – or MG 4 EV Urban – to markets outside of China.
MG Australia has already confirmed that an update to the existing MG 4 is coming early next year, primarily focused on updating the interior.
This presents a number of options.
MG Australia could sell both cars alongside each other, the existing model being the MG 4, and the new model the MG 4 EV Urban – or rebranding the updated, rear-drive MG 4 as the MG 4 EV Urban and moving the moniker to the newer, bigger, and likely more upmarket model.
There are also reports from the UK indicating the new MG 4 will replace the existing car, despite having only been on the market for a few years.
Regardless, MG Australia’s electric vehicle (EV) plans are expected to be revealed later this year.
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Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
