MG2 due to take on BYD Seagull

MG is set to offer a rival to the likes of BYD Seagull, Renault R5 and VW ID.2. It is due to go on sale in 2028 priced from around $NZ35k.

Think of this as the electric equivalent to the existing MG3 city car.

Likely to be known as MG2, the compact EV is being designed in the UK. It will sit below the MG 4 hatchback as the entry-level model to MG’s electric line-up. That has been bolstered locally by the recent introduction of the MGS5 EV four-model line-up.

MG UK boss, David Allison, confirmed recently that the new EV will be priced competitively with the likes of the Renault 5. That starts in the UK at £22,995.

He said: “One of the things that we’ve always had is that affordable price position on EVs. But we don’t have that any more.

“So when I price that car, I will price it as aggressively as I can get away with….”

Production prototypes should soon begin testing.

It is understood that the new entry-level MG will use the same SAIC battery-electric Modular Scalable Platform as the MG4. 

Expect MG2 to match Renault 5 specs. That features a 112kW motor and offers maximum range of 400km from a 52kWh battery.

Allison added that the success of the R5 shows there is a market for small, affordable electric cars. He added that it is bigger than most thought. Therefore, it is crucial for MG to launch a competitor as soon as possible, he said.

“As Europe transitions towards EVs, inevitably the easiest way of making them more affordable is downsizing.”

Prior to its arrival, VW will launch its ID 2, and Cupra and Skoda will also have their electric city cars based on the same platform. 

On MG2 timing, Allison said “I think that car is still probably a couple of years away”, though is hoping for a quicker turnaround. 

Read our review of MG3 Hybrid+.

MG’s Longbridge-based engineering centre will play a role in not only designing but also testing and configuring the new model.

Allison believes MG2 could also compete in markets where MG has never been a player, such as Italy. There, the EV mix is under four per cent, mainly because current EVs aren’t really suited to tight Italian roads. 

“But the moment someone comes up with an affordable four metre…electric car, then that sort of thing should be really successful.”