MG is set to expand its UK all-electric range with the introduction of a third model - expected to be called the MG4 EV. The newcomer, which is likely to be a traditional hatchback roughly the size of a Volkswagen Golf, will join SV and MG5 in the brand’s all-electric line-up when it arrives later this year. 

Although MG has only revealed one detail about the car - the length (which it quotes as being 4,300mm) - the rest of the package remains secret for now. What we do know is that the car was designed and developed here in the UK at MG’s design centre in London.

The announcement came via MG’s social media channels rather than an official press release and was accompanied by a short teaser video showing the new car under a sheet. The few details visible within the video suggest that the new car is the same model that has been seen undergoing endurance testing in Europe - albeit in full camouflage.

New MG4 EV set to break cover at the Beijing Motor Show in April ahead of a UK launch later this year

MG will pull the wraps off the production version at the Beijing Motor Show in April and is expected to confirm technical specifications including battery size and projected range.  While the teaser video hides much of the exterior styling, the striking rear light arrangement and contrast side panels suggest that the final design may a number of styling cues from MG’s Cyberster concept car. 

In terms of battery size, this will be largely dependent on the MG4’s underpinnings or platform. If the newcomer uses the same platform as the MG ZS (which has an almost identical length of 4,314mm), the new MG3 EV could accept the same battery pack as the ZS. That would mean customers could choose between a 51kWh pack or a long range 72.6kWh pack. When fitted to the ZS SUV, the existing batteries deliver range figures of 198 and 273 miles respectively.

Striking rear lights feature a full-width LED strip and mark a departure from MG's more traditional designs