MG is planning to update every model in its line by 2024, and will be a fully-electric brand by 2027
MG is riding the crest of a wave right now. Sales are up nearly 28 per cent so far this year, there’s a solid order bank stretching months ahead, and the brilliant new MG4 is about to arrive in showrooms.
Now Auto Express can reveal that the whole MG line-up will be refreshed or replaced by the end of 2024, while the brand is set to be electric-only by 2027.
First up after the arrival of the MG4 hatchback will be the updated MG5 estate, arriving by the end of the year and already previewed with sharper styling, improved interior quality and upgraded tech. Towards the middle of 2023, the MG4 range will be boosted by a hot model, as Guy Pigounakis, MG Commercial Director, explained in an exclusive interview with Auto Express.
“We’re bringing out a high-performance version of MG4 in about six months,” he said. “It gives us the option of erring on the side of comfort with the standard car because of the very high-performance, twin-motor derivative.”
Rumours suggest that the hot model could offer over 400bhp, while rekindling the X-Power brand is also a possibility – MG has already used it on a limited-edition MG6 model in China. The hot MG4 will play a big role in changing the current MG brand image. “I’d like to see the brand transitioning more towards a sporty image,” said Pigounakis. “We have very sensible cars today. That’s about to change into sensible and fun cars.”
Although the striking new MG4 heralds a new design language for MG, the MG5 estate gives more clues to how another new model might look.
“The MG4 looks like a very different car from every other model we currently build, but it’s a sign of our future. However, some of the cars in the transition – such as the MG5 – won’t just go straight to that sort of design,” said Pigounakis.
A facelifted HS SUV is expected to arrive in 2024 with similar design tweaks to the MG5, with updated styling, improvements to quality and the latest infotainment systems. Like the current car, it will be available as a plug-in hybrid to ease MG customers towards that 2027 date of full electrification.
The popular MG ZS SUV, however, is likely to receive a more substantial overhaul, previewed by our exclusive image (above). As well as taking its design cues from the new MG4, it could also include a shift to the modular, scalable electric car-only MSP platform used for the electric hatchback.
That would mean a couple of battery options and the potential for four-wheel drive, as with the MG4, as well as serious improvements to in-car tech and quality. It’ll probably go on sale at the end of 2024.
Before then, the MG3 supermini will also be replaced by a new model, although it’s unlikely to feature any electrification, which could mean its lifespan is relatively short.
Asked about the future of the MG3, Pigounakis told us, “MG3 will continue for another 12-18 months, before it’s replaced. But we won’t call it MG3.”
As well as a revamp of the existing range, two new models are expected, starting with the eagerly awaited roadster. Although the car won’t take the Cyberster name from MG’s concept (the brand has trademarked MGC EV), Pigounakis did confirm when the car will be in showrooms. “It’ll be early 2024,” he said. “And it’ll be a sports car that’s outstanding and staggeringly good value for money.”
The final addition – for now – is likely to be a new version of the MG Marvel R SUV, currently sold elsewhere in Europe.
“The new version of it, probably in two to three years, is a distinct possibility,” said Pigounakis. “We’d like it. The new one won’t be called Marvel R, though.”
Q&A with Guy Pigounakis
MG Commercial Director
The Chinese-owned British brand is rethinking how it’s perceived by Western buyers, as it gets set for sales to rise when new models arrive
Q: What does MG stand for these days?
A: “In terms of brand and heritage we’ve got something that most manufacturers would give their right arm for. People spend billions and take decades building up brand equity like we have. An MG is a blooming good car. They’re fantastic value for money, reliable, very well equipped, look nice and they’re getting better and better.”
Q: How much work on the cars is done in the UK?
A: “We have a design centre in London and an engineering base in Longbridge. So we partly design the cars here and partly engineer them here.”
Q: How are you changing the MG buying experience?
A: “We’re looking at everything afresh, and saying: ‘Does it benefit the customer really, or is it something that we’ve always done because we’ve always done it?’ Our approach to the dealer network is doing it differently but making it really simple and straightforward. One of our catchphrases is ‘Simple, easy.’ So, that’s exactly what it’s going to be.
“When it comes to the cars, we have five colours, we have SE and Trophy models, and we have a manual and an automatic. We have no options at all.”
Q: Why is MG interested in Co-Wheels car sharing?
A “It’s absolutely clear that more and more people are buying into this sector of the market. Local authorities and government organisations seem particularly interested in this.”
Keyword: New MG ZS to spearhead brand’s plans to refresh every model