Those who are familiar with the current MG4 may have received quite a bit of shock that looks at the new one that has just been launched in China. The sporty, bumpy design of the Hatchback has been replaced by a more rounded look that takes several steps in the direction of the BYD -Dolphin and Gey Xingyuan (yes, that means we really mean the Proton EMAS 5).
According to AuthentoThis sea change was literally due to design. During the launch, Saic Innovation Chief Designer Shao Jingfeng said that the softer appearance was led by the need to satisfy both global and domestic customers.
“The cultural differences between China and the West are considerable and are an important challenge for designers,” he said. “If the design is too strong, the Chinese may not like it; if it is too soft, foreigners may not accept it. After all, MG is a global brand, with products that are sold all over the world. This is a huge challenge for our current Chinese design team.”
Shao added that the similarity of the car with the cyber star was intentional and the result of a conversation with MG’s new Global Design Center Vice President Jozef Kabaň. The latter was a former BMW and Volkswagen group designer who wrote the Bugatti Veyron, among others.
“After Kabaň had come to us, we had a profound discussion. He told me how the cyber star had pulled him to China. He said:” The sports car you launch is unique in the world. “He also said he was surprised by the daring use of such a simple and clear design.
Responding to a somewhat sexist question from the media about whether such a “female” design would eliminate male buyers, Shao said that the popularity and price determination of SUVs in China have made the market for sporting hatchbacks anyway.
“But this category is fairly good. This small car is agile and agile, suitable for both racing and sporting use. Many young men would consider a hatchback as their first car, but the market has a shortage of options. Moreover, the few available models are heavily stigmatized and female,” he said.
The pivot to an appeal to the Chinese market is understandable, given that the sale of the current model was delayed not long after the launch in 2022. Car news China Reported that from February the monthly sale had fallen to only 13 throughout China, battered by strong domestic competition. The reorientation also shows that, despite the fact that MG had a strong international supporter – the MG4 was at one point the most exported Chinese EV – the Chinese market is still king.
A lot has also been made of the upcoming semi-solid-state battery technology, reportedly introduced next month. Li Zheng, general director of the joint venture between SAIC and Solid-State Battery Startup Qingtao, said that the MG4 will use the second generation battery of Qingtao with new cathode materials, balancing safety, energy density and lifespan.
He added that the breakthroughs in positive electrode materials, voltage platforms and battery management would have lasted five or even ten years longer without the joint efforts of engineers of both sides, as well as the deep integration between suppliers and car manufacturers.
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