MG Motor Ireland has confirmed that the new MG4 electric hatchback will arrive in Ireland with a very tempting starting price.
Cheaper than a Zoe, but bigger
The MG4 will kick off its price line-up in Ireland at €27,495 (that's inclusive of both VRT relief and the SEAI grant). We need to put that in context - the MG4 is a mid-size hatchback, analogous in size to a Volkswagen ID.3 or a Renault Megane E-Tech Electric, but its base price tag is lower than smaller EVs such as the Peugeot e-208, the Renault Zoe and the Opel Corsa-e.
Mind you, some of those cars do have a longer range than the cheapest MG4. The basic MG4, badged as Excite Standard Range, comes with a 51kWh battery pack that's good for a one-charge range of 350km. That puts it on a par with the e-208 and Corsa-e (although both have a longer-range update on the way, stretching to 400km) and behind the Zoe, which comes with a 395km range. Nonetheless, all of those competitors are much smaller vehicles.
For €30,995 you can upgrade your MG4 to an Excite Long Range model, which will go for an official 450km on a full charge of its 64kWh battery. That puts it on a par with the likes of the new Renault Megane E-Tech Electric, the VW ID.3 and the Kia Niro EV for range, but it's far cheaper than any of those. The cheapest competitor in this case is the Renault Megane, which has a starting price of €37,450. Already, you can start to see the disruptive potential of this new MG.
Top-spec model costs €34,495
At the top of the range, priced from €34,495 is the Exclusive Long Range version of the MG4, which has a range of 435km. All models will come with a 10.25-inch floating infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, plus a seven-inch driver display.
Standard equipment for the entry-level Excite model includes the 'MG Pilot' advanced driver assistance system, automatic LED headlights and rear lights, rear parking sensors, 17-inch alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, automatic climate control and 'MG iSmart' phone app connectivity.
Irish order books open in October
The Exclusive model gets an Active Grille Shutter System (AGS), which regulates air flow according to vehicle requirements. This improves aerodynamic efficiency by up to 30 per cent and can increase EV range by as much as 10 per cent according to MG. Other standard kit for Exclusive models includes an upgraded MG Pilot system, with the inclusion of Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Lane Change Assist (LCA) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). Additionally, a two-tone roof, rear privacy glass, twin aero rear spoiler, leather style interior with electric driver's seat, heated front seats and steering wheel, navigation, 360-degree parking camera, wireless phone charging and an upgraded MG iSmart system compatible with live services are all standard.
Six colours will be available from launch, with Arctic White, Ocean Blue, Black Pearl and Dynamic Red joined by two new MG colours: Urban Grey and Volcano Orange.
You can put your order in from the end of October, and the first customer cars should start to arrive early in the new year.