2022 MG CyberE to be a cut-price VW ID.3 rival – Report

A brand new MG electric car is in the works, and it’s a hatchback codenamed EH32, according to an image surfaced on Xcar on February 17, 2022. The production name (provisionally) is MG CyberE, according to another image published on CarNewsChina on February 18, 2022. These pictures appear to be from a presentation conducted by MG Motor recently.

Going by previous reports, the MG CyberE would compete with the VW ID.3, the Cupra Born and the Nissan Leaf, but from a lower price segment.

Design

The spy shots of the MG CyberE that we saw earlier highlighted the prominent shoulder line and independent rear suspension on the budget MG electric car. However, patent images have now emerged on CarNewsChina, and many more details are now apparent. The front of the MG CyberE appears sharp, thanks to plenty of cuts and creases. The splitter looks identical to that of the ZS EV.

The bumper also bears a certain resemblance with the MG Cyberster concept. The spy shots that we saw earlier revealed a sculpted bonnet with flared sides, a pronounced lower-lip on the front bumper to aid aerodynamics and a regular door handle (not flush-fitting). This is confirmed after looking at the patent images. Like the ID.3, the A-pillar looks raked, and the wheels are provisional.

Electric-powered MG hatchback prototype exposed in posts to Chinese social media channels. @MGmotor @Robbo032 pic.twitter.com/hosqlspbe0

— Greg Kable (@GregKable) January 10, 2022

The side profile appears more conventional, but it’s at the rear where things become interesting. Going by the patent images, there’s a prominent two-part roof-mounted spoiler. Earlier the significant element at the back was thought to be a spoiler, but it looks like a full-width panel with wraparound taillights. There’s also a faux-diffuser effect at the bottom of the rear bumper.

Interior

A clear spy shot of the interior emerged on Autospy on February 17, 2022. The 3-spoke steering wheel with audio controls and metallic bezel has a flat bottom and top. There’s prominent side-bolstering in the black seats with contrasting white/beige stitching, a central armrest with storage space around it, and a large touchscreen for the infotainment. What’s more, there’s a sizeable display for the digital cockpit, and a sleek panel protruding from beneath the infotainment system houses a gear selector and a rotary dial.

Source: Youtube/Hungarian Supercar Spotters

The MG CyberE was spotted testing in Hungary earlier this year, and footage shared by Youtube channel Hungarian Supercar Spotters showed its road presence. The new spy media reveals a pointy nose with sharp lines on the front end. The triangular headlamps are somewhat reminiscent of the Lexus LFA.

Overall, the MG CyberE seems to have tight proportions and a cleaner design than other Chinese-origin cars. As per the report filed by Xcar on February 17, 2022, the CyberE will be the first ‘Global car’ in the Chinese auto industry, and it will be first launched in the European market. This could be the reason for the conventional styling.

Specifications

Official details regarding the powertrain are not available, but it makes sense for the CyberE to share components with the Marvel R. The larger SUV is already on sale in multiple European markets. It features a tri-motor AWD setup with 288 hp and 665 Nm, with a WLTP range of 402 km. The EH32 might get a slightly detuned setup with two motors in the top-spec configuration and the lower variants settling for a single-motor powertrain.

According to a report from motoring.com.au on November 11, 2021, the new MG electric car is not a makeshift EV derived from an internal combustion engine vehicle like the ZS. It will be based on a dedicated EV platform, and thus, a new model designed from the ground up. The CyberE will be built on a new dedicated EV platform that supports Level 3 autonomous driving and gets 5G technology.

MG CyberE Price & Release Date

When Ciao talked about the upcoming MG electric car at the Australian launch of the MG ZS EV in November 2020 in Sydney, he said that the company plans to position the vehicle under the ZS EV that costs AUD 44,990 onwards. He added that the new MG electric car in Australia would start below AUD 40,000.

The launch is expected to take place in 2023 in Britain, where prices could be in the £20,000-25,000 bracket. The positioning also makes the Ora Cat, Vauxhall Corsa-e and Mini Electric challengers to the MG CyberE in the UK market, and it promises to be a segment-breaker.

The product preview will likely occur at the 2022 Beijing Motor Show, slated for April 21-30. The Chinese media also suggest that the MG CyberE could replace the second-gen MG3 petrol. This would be applicable in markets where EV adoption is growing.

MG ‘Mission 100’ strategy

MG had announced back in May 2020 that it aims to sell up to one million vehicles globally and expand its footprint to up to 100 markets by 2024. The parent company Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) had revealed the ‘Mission 100’ strategy in view of celebrating the 100th anniversary of the British brand in 2024.

According to an Autohome report dated February 17, 2022, the Chinese-owned British brand aims to increase exports to European markets to 120,000 units in 2022, followed by higher numbers in the years to come. An affordable hatchback like the CyberE could help it achieve its target.

The features of this strategy include a digital purchasing experience to attract younger customers, new digital infotainment functions, 5G connectivity, level three autonomous driving technology to be developed in co-operation with Roewe (which was then launched in the MG Marvel R). The strategy appears to be unfolding well, as MG sold over 470,000 units in 2021, as reported by Autohome on January 04, 2022.

MG CyberE FAQs

Featured image: MG Motor