Sino-Brit brand’s next model here has a familiar name, but otherwise is all new.

AN MG designed to combat value-oriented competitors, also from China, in the electric car sphere will sell for $38,990 here.

The sticker announcement made today for the MG4 Urban, a car whose placement here has been an open secret since MotoringNZ.com revealed it was en route, now puts focus on another matter yet to be clarified by the brand.

Until now MG’s cheapest electric choice has been the MG4 - a completely different car - in its Excite 51 form. That has sold from $40,990. The range has then progressed through to a $46,990 64, then to an Essence 64 at $49,990 topping with the XPower from $59,990.

MG4 in an impending facelift representation has been expected to slim to just two models, the Essence and XPower, in refreshed format, a reshuffle that will would leave the bottom end of the electric sector to the Urban.

But this has yet to be explained by the brand nationally.

The new model is a five-door four-seater hatchback in front-wheel drive.

Despite sharing its badge, the MG4 Urban is actually a completely different car, sitting on an entirely different platform. It has lower power outputs and smaller battery packs than the MG4 (which is single motor rear or dual motor).

Regional availability of two variants, a 43kWh battery and 54kWh battery (both LFP), both in Essence trim, has not been full uplifted by NZ.

Here focus has fallen purely on the Essence 54, which has 405 kilometres’ range, with no word on whether the Essence 43 that sells in Australia, with a range of 316km, might be considered in the future.

Both feature a front-mounted electric motor, producing 250Nm. However, the 54 is more powerful, with 118kW, and 0.3 seconds faster to 100kmh from a standing start, with 8.7s claimed.

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

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.

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.

The NZ trim level puts the car on 17-inch alloy wheels wearing 205/50 tyres, with a tyre repair kit instead of a spare. It has 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.

In shared comment, MG Motor NZ country manager Dean Sheed said the MG4 Urban was designed for how Kiwis live today and addresses cost-of-living concerns by offering “greater cost certainty and freedom from fuel price volatility” compared to petrol vehicles.

MG’s cheapest car here is the MG3, a baby hatch in hybrid and full petrol, but is has another baby electric car in development, likely set to be called the MG2.

Interested buyers can register their interest at mgmotor.co.nz ahead of the late April arrival.