A stretched version of the crossover could allow MG to retain its competitive pricing by reducing development costs
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MG is reportedly working on a stretched version of the MG4 electric crossover that could serve as a replacement for the MG5. The new model, set to go on sale in 2024, would bring significant upgrades in technology, performance, and range compared to its predecessor, benefiting from the newer EV-dedicated underpinnings.
The MG5 debuted in the UK market in 2020 and received a facelift in 2022. While this sounds quite recent, the model is actually a rebadged version of the Roewe Ei5 that has been around in China since 2017. On the contrary, the MG4 is much more modern, having debuted in 2022 based on SAIC’s new Modular Scalable architecture. It has been confirmed that this platform will eventually underpin all future electric models by MG – including the successor of the MG5.
As reported by Autocar, building an estate version of the MG4 crossover is much cheaper compared to the development of an all-new model.
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A More Practical Sibling
The new EV could share most of the body panels with the sibling crossover, albeit with a redesigned tail. A longer rear overhang could drastically increase the cargo capacity, making it a family-friendly option in combination with the already spacious five-seater cabin. The regular MG4 has a 363 lt (12.8 cubic feet) boot which is smaller than the 385 lt (13.6 cubic feet) of the rival VW ID.3.
The stretched tail will result in a longer body than the 4,287 mm (168.8 inches) of the MG4, getting closer to the 4,600 mm (181.1 inches) of the outgoing MG5. It remains to be seen if the company will use the MG5 moniker or a derivative of the MG4.
More: 2024 MG3 Has Sharper Looks And A 192-HP Hybrid Powertrain
The shared underpinnings mean that the estate could mirror the specifications of the crossover, with slight changes due to the increased weight and size. The MG4 is currently available with three battery options – 51, 64, and 77 kWh – resulting in range figures between 351-520 km (218-320 miles). The entry-level MG4 makes 168 hp (125 kW / 170 PS) from a single rear-mounted electric motor, while the MG4 XPower performance flagship is good for 429 hp (320 kW / 435 PS) thanks to a dual-motor setup. We sincerely hope that MG approves the use of the latter specification in the upcoming estate as depicted by our speculative rendering below.
In any case, the SAIC-owned brand plans on retaining the value-for-money character of its models. This was confirmed by Carl Gotham, director at MG’s European design center, who said: “Some of the products are coming to the end of their journey and we’re in a really strong position, especially at 100 years old, to take a confident, bold step forward with the new products: update the technology, update the image, but still make it still very affordable and accessible for people. We don’t want to alienate anybody from the brand”.
Note: The rendering in this story is not related to nor endorsed by MG
