MG Motor, a subsidiary of SAIC Motor, launched the updated version of its MG4 compact hatchback on Friday at the Chengdu auto show, strengthening its position in China’s crowded electric vehicle (EV) market.
The new MG4 is positioned as one of the most affordable EVs in the country, with a starting price of RMB 68,800 ($9,650) and promotional pricing beginning at RMB 65,800. A semi-solid-state battery variant has been added to the lineup, priced at RMB 102,800 with a discounted offer of RMB 99,800, with mass deliveries scheduled to begin later this year.
The semi-solid-state battery, developed by SAIC-backed QingTao Energy, has drawn market attention but offers only modest gains. With an energy density of 180 Wh/kg, the battery delivers a CLTC range of 537 kilometers, according to local media reports. By comparison, Nio’s 150-kWh semi-solid-state pack has an energy density of 261 Wh/kg, enabling ranges of over 1,000 kilometers.
Other MG4 variants are equipped with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries of 42.8 kWh or 53.9 kWh, supporting ranges between 437 km and 530 km. Built on SAIC’s E3 pure-electric platform, the MG4 measures 4,395 mm in length, 1,842 mm in width, and 1,551 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm. It is powered by a single motor producing 120 kW peak power and 250 Nm torque, with a top speed of 160 km/h.
The MG4, first introduced in China in 2022 as the MG Mulan, was later renamed MG4 EV for both domestic and global markets. The model has since become a key part of MG’s international push as it competes with rivals in the lower-priced EV segment.
