MG4 electric car with flexible platform

Inhaltsverzeichnis

(Hier finden Sie die deutsche Version des Beitrags)

MG is the first to offer what many potential buyers in Western Europe have been waiting for: an estate car with battery-electric drive. Elsewhere, this type of vehicle plays almost no role and finds fewer and fewer buyers. This is no secret at MG. That's why the brand wants to launch a direct competitor in the format of cars like the VW ID.3 or Renault Megane Electric next year. The first key data of the MG4 are not spectacular, but the possibilities of the "Modular Scalable Platform" (MSP) that MG hints at are unusual.

Base data

MG has only revealed a few key data about the MG4 electric car. It will be just under 4.29 m long, 1.84 m wide and 1.5 m high. Two drive configurations will be offered in Europe at the start of sales, which is planned for 2023. The base model has an output of 125 kW and a battery with 51 kWh. The range is specified as 350 km in the WLTP. The top model, with a battery of 64 kWh, is said to achieve 450 km in the cycle. The electric motor here offers 150 kW. Both versions have rear-wheel drive, later there will be models with more power and all-wheel drive.

800 Volt are possible

MG does not provide any data on charging power yet, but the voltage level of 400 volts indicates that the MG4 will not be able to keep up with the fastest electric cars in this area. Their 800-volt technology requires lower amperages for at least comparable charging performance, as can be seen from the equation power equals voltage times amperage (P = U x I). But the MG4 does not have to stop at this voltage. The platform makes it possible to go up to 800 volts later on.

In any case, the Modular Scalable Platform seems to be very flexible. MG belongs to the SAIC Motors Group, which developed this platform. Wheelbases between 2.65 and 3.1 m in length are possible, which in common categories roughly covers the vehicle size between VW Golf (test) and Mercedes S-Class. The battery installed in the MG4 is only 11 cm high, with cells arranged horizontally. MG calls this "One Pack" and promises exceptional integration into the vehicle, durability and safety against thermal runaway.

Will the MG4 be available with an LFP cell?

MG does not provide any information on the cell chemistry used. A letter to the press mentions an ultra-long service life. This would indicate a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cell, which is inexpensive and comparatively cycle-resistant, but also heavier than an NMC cell. The capacities available in the compact car are supposed to represent rather the lower end of the possibilities. MG speaks of 40 to 150 kWh that could be offered on this basis - depending on what the respective local market demands.

Subsequently expandable

The approach that customers can expand the battery after purchase seems exciting. So if you buy the basic model and later realise that your driving profile requires more range, you can upgrade without having to replace the entire battery. No competitor on the European market currently offers this. Whether customers make use of this option will probably be decided primarily by the price.

Battery exchange system

The MG4 is also prepared for a battery exchange system, although no one should get their hopes up. An infrastructure along the highways that would allow a quick battery swap on the road would require two things. The most important manufacturers would have to agree on a uniform battery format, which is not very likely. In addition, the infrastructure costs would make this service so expensive that many would prefer to wait a few minutes at the comparatively cheap DC charging station.

Especially since such an exchange system is running out of time: The density of the charging infrastructure is growing, even if not at the desired pace. At the same time, the charging times of electric cars are decreasing. This can be seen directly in rising peak charging capacities, and indirectly in charging curves that charge at high speed over a wide SoC range. SoC stands for State of Charge, i.e. the charge level of the battery.

On sale in 2023

The MG4 is to be officially launched in Europe this year, with sales expected to start in 2023. MG has not yet announced prices, but we expect them to be considerably less than VW charges for the ID.3. The ID.3 is currently available for 38,060 euros. The most important European competitors are still the Renault Mégane E-Tech and the Peugeot e-308 and Opel Astra-e, also announced for 2023. So for those who don't want an SUV, there will be new offerings from next year.

(mfz)