MG, which is fast becoming one of the most interesting car brands to watch, has given us a very occluded sneak-peek at its new car. We're not quite sure yet what it is, but we have some ideas...
Crossover styling
First off, it's almost certainly a crossover. Just look at the plastic panelling that runs along the bottom of the doors - a classic crossover styling cue to reduce the car's visual height. Second, it seems to be a bit more sophisticated in its styling than the current MG line-up - check out the high-tech look to the brake lights when they light up under the sheet that covers the car. This looks like a car that's very much more in the mould of the Marvel R electric SUV, a car that still has not been confirmed for right-hand drive...
Right-hand drive
This car is pretty well confirmed for right-hand drive, though. According to a report in Autocar magazine, the new MG has been designed with the UK market very much in mind (hardly surprising, given that MG is one of the fastest-growing brands in that market) so it's more or less a dead cert that the Irish market will benefit from that. Ireland's MG importer hasn't yet been able to get confirmation on the availability of the likes of the Marvel R, nor the facelifted MG 5 compact estate, but fingers crossed we'll get all three.
Rival for the ID.3 and e-Niro
The new car will almost certainly be called the MG 4, being as MG already has the MG 5, and it's reported to be working on an electric replacement for the compact MG 3 hatchback. Oh, and MG also obliquely confirmed the 4 name through a post on its Twitter feed... The 4 should be roughly the same sort of size as the likes of the Volkswagen ID.3, Kia e-Niro, and the Nissan Leaf. That probably means a battery of around 55-60kWh size and a range of around 400-420km on a full charge. Then again, MG has been known to spring a surprise or two on us, so maybe the 4 will offer more in the way of range? We'll have to wait and see. The new MG 4 will be full revealed later this year.