New European entry-level model from MG, also as an EV?

In the depths of the European patent office, AutoWeek has unearthed the patent drawings of what is clearly a new compact hatchback from MG. While many car manufacturers omit the logo on patent plates, MG did not find it necessary not to include its logos on the drawings. Why should it, especially with its front, this compact hatchback is clearly recognizable as an MG. This is related to that of, for example, the 5, which you should not confuse with the MG 5 Electric that you can buy in the Netherlands. Like the 4 Electric, MG’s small hatchback has a tapered snout. In an important other way, this small car takes a different path.

M.G. 3.

At the bottom of the rear of the new MG on these plates we see an exhaust pipe. That, of course, immediately indicates that this is not an electric model. So what are we dealing with here? We seem to have the new MG 3, the successor to the current one. The MG 3 is not for sale in the Netherlands, but is on order books elsewhere in Europe. The MG 3 is sold in the former home country of the United Kingdom. In fact, it is also assembled there for the local market.

The MG 3 as it was facelifted in 2017.

The current generation MG 3 is about 12 years old at the time of writing. In 2011, the approximately 4.05 meter long hatchback – in terms of size a real B-segmenter – came on the market in China and the United Kingdom. In 2013 the model went under the knife and in 2018 the 3 was given a new front that showed similarities with that of the ZS and HS.

…and as he was before.

Will this new MG 3 also come as an MG 3 Electric? That is still very much the question. It is not inconceivable that parent company SAIC Motor considers an electric powertrain too expensive for the 3. An electric ‘B-segmenter’ from MG could in any case be a smart player in the Netherlands, among others. Cars such as the Peugeot e-208 are flying out of showrooms and brands such as Volkswagen are also targeting the segment. So just wait.