Regional info about impending baby EV suggests potential for a pleasing price position.

MIGHT MG be the next brand from China to set a hot ticket entry price for access to a new electric model?

The make’s effort for the Australasian market will next focus on the MG4 Urban, a new compact fully electric hatchback.

Despite sharing its badge with the make’s already established battery-reliant compact, the MG4 Urban is actually a completely different car, sitting on an entirely different platform.

The Urban is developed as a cheaper choice as the MG4 hatch that has been here since 2023 and has in the past pitched as a budget buy.

That proposal has been shown in Australia, where it has released at the equivalent of the $NZ42,000.

What likelihood of that price or something similar carrying into New Zealand is not yet clear, but a rejig of the MG4 family lends potential it could site there without internal competition.

The model is not expected to be on sale until May, so conceivably there’s still time for fine-tuning by the distributor, a common entity in both countries.

At the moment the MG4 range kicks off with an Excite 51 from $40,990, then progresses through to a $46,990 64, then to an Essence 64 at $49,990 topping with the XPower from $59,990.

But that’s transition pricing and representation; MG4 in an impending facelift representation is expected to slim to just two models, the Essence and XPower, in refreshed format, which would leave the bottom end of the electric sector to the Urban.

The five-door four-seater hatchback is front-wheel drive that has lower power outputs and smaller battery packs than the MG4 (which is single motor rear or dual motor).

At 4395mm the Urban is actually 110mm longer and, with height of 1549mm, has a 33mm higher roof height. It is also 6mm wider, 33mm taller and 45mm longer between the wheels.

Urban’s styling is claimed to have been influenced by MG's flagship product, the Cyberster roadster. Specific design inspirations from that two-seater are the split front bumper design, wide-set air intakes in the nose, swoopy headlights and a full-width light bar at the rear, complete with angled-in LED details.

Commonality in provision to Australia would mean NZ will achieve two variants, a 43kWh battery and 54kWh battery (both LFP), both in Essence trim. The Essence 43 offers a WLTP range of 316km, while the Essence 54 delivers 405km.

Both feature a front-mounted electric motor, producing 250Nm. However, the 43 develops 110kW and the 54 kicks out 118kW. Acceleration across 0-100kmh is claimed in nine and 8.7 seconds, respectively.

Clocking as little as 1460kg on the scales makes the Urban an especially lightweight EV.

The model uses a MacPherson strut front suspension setup and a torsion beam rear end for maximum boot space; 382 litres expanding to 1266L with the rear seats folded. There’s also 98L under the boot floor.

Both trim levels come with 17-inch alloy wheels wearing 205/50 tyres, with a tyre repair kit instead of a spare, and both feature LED headlights and taillights, heated front seats, leatherette upholstery, climate control, and a surround-view camera system.

There’s also a 12.8-inch multimedia touch-screen offering Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with a six-speaker sound system in both trims and a wireless phone charger and digital radio.

The model promises excellent space efficiency inside while bringing in something MG calls its “6-in-1” drive system incorporating a heat pump to maximise range. Fast charging is available up to 150kW using a DC plug.

Euro NCAP has already put the MG4 Urban through its paces and it has recorded a full-marks score of five stars overall.

MG’s cheapest car here is the MG3, a baby hatch in hybrid and full petrol.