New MG2 may set the price bar for small urban EVs

The new MG2 that we previewed may turn out to be the lowest cost EV yet. It is set to debut next year, utilising the same platform as the new MG4.

While MG is going premium with its IM models in some markets, it hasn’t forsaken the mass market. The new all-electric MG2 may be amongst the first of the pure electrics to sell in the UK for £20,000. Many have spoken of this goal but fallen short. Renault’s R5 just missed but is selling well regardless. 

Evidently the baby MG is 12 months away yet but there is plenty of upcoming competition in this area, a kind of race to the bottom. VW is deadset on being one of the players with its ID.1. Others include Renault with its new Twingo, Citroen with its e-C3 and BYD Seagull.

For a year now MG has been hinting at an electric model that will sit alongside the MG3 (below). Makers of inexpensive EVs are aiming for something four metres in length, and costing 20,000 Euros.

“If anyone’s going to do that, we should be right there”, said David Allison, MG’s Head of Product and Planning. “It’s a combination of range, size and price – and if you hit all those three, you’ll nail it.”

Evidently the MG2 project is well advanced, though it has yet to be seen testing on the road. Allison said it has the look that will make it fly off the shelves, but then he would say that.

An upcoming small SUV will share the same design language as new MG4. The MG4’s ‘Modular Scalable Platform’ was always designed to underpin small cars as well as mediums. Battery size is unclear at present but the 51kWh or 64kWh LFP packs might get a look in. Both would eclipse the 44kWh pack offered in the C3, which has up to 320km of range. So the MG2 should manage 400km minimum per charge. 

In-car tech will be like MG3’s, with a small digital instrument cluster and a larger 10.25-inch infotainment display. Expect the basic MG Pilot components too, including cruise control, active emergency braking and lane-change assist.