Next MG4 is the first affordable EV with a semi-solid-state battery

The revitalised MG4 will feature a new shape and a 70kWh semi-solid-state battery from QingTao when it debuts on August 5.  

MG first hinted in March that a new MG4 was under development. The brand GM, Chen Cui, confirmed that the new MG4 electric hatchback will be the first mass-market EV to feature a semi-solid-state battery. 

“The new battery, supplied by QingTao Energy, contains only five per cent liquid electrolyte,” said Chen. 

MG states this battery has passed rigorous safety testing, including a 360-degree puncture test. It is said to offer a CLTC-rated range of 537km. The energy density is rated at 180Wh/kg. MG suggests that the battery provides 14 per cent better range retention in cold conditions compared with traditional lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries. Evidently the car is much lighter than before too, around 1450kg, reduced by around 120kg.

Pricing for the updated MG4 is expected to target the BYD Dolphin, a leading compact EV in China. Chen Cui said that at this price “there is no reason customers wouldn’t choose MG4.”

The MG uses a 120kW rear-mounted motor that drives the rear wheels. In contrast, the BYD Dolphin features front-wheel drive with a 70 kW motor in its base trim. This difference may give the MG4 an edge in driving dynamics and performance.

The updated MG4 is slightly bigger than the outgoing model. It is just under 4400mm long (up 108mm) and 1842mm in width, with a 2750mm wheelbase. Dolphin is 4280mm long on a 2700mm wheelbase. So the MG4 will likely be a little roomier inside.

New for the MG4 cabin is the MG×Oppo cockpit system, developed in partnership with Oppo. The system integrates smartphone functions with the car’s interface, supporting voice commands, gesture navigation, and phone app synchronisation.

Visually, the car adopts styling cues borrowed from Cyberster, featuring a sculpted front fascia, separate headlamps, and an illuminated front emblem. 

There’s also a closed front grille, arrow-style taillights, and a full-width rear light bar. Traditional door handles and 17-inch alloy wheels remain, while the charging port stays on the left side, moving forward to the front fender. The vehicle continues to ride on SAIC’s Nebula EV platform.

Two new paint colours will be available, one a metallic purple, the other a pearlescent green.

Production of the new MG4 is already underway at SAIC’s Nanjing facility.