MG’s replacement 3 will remain petrol-powered with EV focus put on larger 4 and 5
New supermini will retain petrol powertrain when it arrives with complete styling overhaul and hybrid power
The replacement for the MG3 has been spotted testing on public roads in Hungary ahead of its launch before the end of next year.
Spotted under heavy camouflage, the firm’s smallest hatchback will receive a complete redesign with slimmer front and rear headlamps, new alloy wheel designs, and squat proportions.
Despite MG focusing more on electric power with the launch of the Volksagen ID3-rivalling MG4 and the electric version of the ZS, the hatchback will stick with petrol power when it arrives, but will likely add a hybrid system to reduce CO2 emissions.
The current MG3 is now a minor player within MG compared to hotter selling models like the MG ZS small SUV and MG HS compact SUV, but the Chinese-owned brand still sold 3876 of the car to the end of September, up 134 percent on the year before.
Its sales figures don’t stack up to convert the MG3 to electric power, however, hence its continuation as a combustion engine model, UK commercial director Guy Pigounakis, told Autocar.
“Developing a small electric car is only marginally cheaper than developing a bigger car,” he said. “Then half the price is battery so it becomes a £25,000 car which is unaffordable”.
The current MG3 is the oldest model in the brand’s UK range and is on its third facelift since being revealed in China back in 2011.
The car was first launched in the UK 2013 with a start price of £8,695. Subsequent price increases means it now costs from £13,295 but it remains one of the cheapest models on sale in the UK, just ahead of rival the Dacia Sandero that begins at £12,595. Adding a hybrid system is likely to increase the price again, but should keep it under £20,000.
