2023 MG 4 electric hatch photographed testing in Australia

UPDATE, 9 December 2022: Trent and the team spotted an MG 4 in full camouflage parked outside Officeworks near Sydney Airport this week.

Check out the video to get a better look at both the exterior and interior of the forthcoming electric car, due to officially launch in Australia early next year.

The 2023 MG 4 electric hatchback has been caught on camera in Australia, ahead of first showroom arrivals early next year.

Photographed on Melbourne roads in camouflaged prototype form, the MG 4 hatchback – sized similarly to a Toyota Corolla, Hyundai i30 or Volkswagen Golf – is set to become MG Australia’s second electric car, after the strong-selling ZS EV small SUV.

While the latest statement from MG Australia says launch timing has not been locked in, Drive understands the first cars remain on track to arrive in the first half of next year, pending no further delays.

The model has been approved for sale in Australia, receiving Australian Design Rules (ADR) certification this week – however government documents do not yet list any specifications.

Prices are yet to be confirmed for Australia, but if the UK is any guide, an entry-level model with 350km of driving range could sit above $40,000 drive-away, with a flagship model with a 452km range priced from about $50,000 drive-away.

That compares to $46,990 to $49,990 drive-away for the current MG ZS EV, which is set to undergo a mid-life update this month in Australia – offering up to 320km of claimed driving range.

The MG 4 is available in the UK with 50.8kWh and 61.7kWh battery packs, good for the 350km and 452km driving range claims above – and coupled with 125kW and 150kW electric motors respectively, driving the rear wheels for 0-100km/h times of 7.7 to 7.9 seconds.

A high-performance version has been confirmed for China and the UK, with dual-motor all-wheel drive, 330kW/600Nm outputs, and a Tesla-like claimed 0-100km/h time of 3.8 seconds.

While MG Australia says the variants being brought into the country will be announced in due course,” Australia’s penchant for performance cars makes this model grade very likely for local showrooms.

Available features in Europe include a 10.25-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7.0-inch digital instrument display, synthetic leather upholstery, power driver’s seat, heated front seats, wireless phone charging, and a full suite of advanced safety aids.

Stay tuned to Drive for more news on the 2023 MG 4 Electric – which may go by a different name in Australia – as its Australian launch approaches.