MG is serious about its global aspirations, and a range of electric vehicles headlined by a small hatch could help fuel its growth.
Patent images have been leaked online of the previously spied MG CyberE electric hatchback, which the brand is reportedly calling its “first global car”.
Car News China published the images alongside some information reportedly obtained from an internal MG presentation.
The CyberE, codenamed EH32, will reportedly be revealed as a virtually production-ready concept at the Beijing motor show in March.
It will reportedly go on sale in China this year, with a European launch slated for either the fourth quarter of 2022 or early in 2023.
There’s been no word yet on an Australian launch, though the company has previously said it would like to introduce the model here along with a mid-sized electric SUV.
It’s part of a new line of electric vehicles for MG, which will also include the production version of the Cyberster concept, reportedly set for a 2024 launch, plus a pair of new SUVs called CyberS and CyberX.
MG has reportedly conducted extensive global market research in developing the model, benchmarking the Volkswagen ID.3 that MG’s parent SAIC Motor also manufactures as part of a joint venture with Volkswagen in China.
It reportedly rides a new EV platform designed to support Level 3 autonomous driving technology.
It’s unclear what electric powertrain the CyberE will use.
The updated ZS EV will use a front-mounted electric motor with 130kW of power and 280Nm of torque and a choice of 51kWh and 72kWh batteries, but the MG Marvel R sold in Europe is available with a tri-motor powertrain, a 70kWh battery, and outputs of 212kW and 665Nm.
The ZS EV offers between 320km and 440km of range (WLTP) depending on the battery, while the Marvel R has 370km of range in tri-motor guise.
As the patent images and past spy photos reveal, the CyberE has a relatively conventional hatchback silhouette but with some racier design elements.
There’s a rather menacing prow, with a sharply creased bonnet, angular headlights, and a front bumper treatment inspired by the Cyberster concept.
There’s also a prominent rear spoiler and diffuser, and boomerang-shaped tail lights that appear to be connected by a full-width light bar.
MG has been busy expanding across Europe after its initial relaunch under Chinese ownership in the UK.
It reportedly wants to export 120,000 vehicles to Europe this year.
The brand sold 360,000 vehicles across its global markets in 2021, while MG and sister brand Roewe sold a combined 800,000 vehicles in China alone.
Parent SAIC Motor exports MG products not only to Europe, the UK, Australia and New Zealand, but also India, southeast Asia and the Middle East.
MG Marvel R
MG 5 wagon
MG ZS EV
The company says it was a top 10 brand in 17 countries.
MG’s EV range currently consists solely of the ZS EV in Australia, sold out ahead of the launch of an updated model in the second half of this year. It’s the second best-selling EV in Australia.
In other markets, it offers the Marvel R, a restyled version of the Roewe Marvel X. There’s also the Roewe ei5-based MG 5, a small electric wagon unrelated to the small, petrol-powered sedan due here this year.
Keyword: 2023 MG CyberE electric hatchback patent images leaked