√China’s MG eyeing Tesla Model Y electric SUV rival for Australia

The MG Marvel R – a mid-size electric SUV about the size of a Tesla Model Y or Hyundai Ioniq 5 – is on the cards for Australia in its next generation, expected in 2024 or 2025.

Chinese car maker MG is expected to introduce a rival for the Tesla Model Y or Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric vehicles in Australia towards the middle of this decade.

MG executives told Australian media at a preview of the MG 4 electric car the Marvel R mid-size electric SUV is “on the cards” for a local launch – alongside the Cyberster electric sports car.

The company confirmed Australia would be in line for the next-generation Marvel R, as the current model – a rebadged version of a vehicle from another brand owned by MG’s parent company SAIC Motor – is not built in right-hand drive.

MG is yet to indicate local showroom arrival timing for the new Marvel R, however reports out of the right-hand-drive UK market claim it is due in dealerships there 2024 or 2025.

MORE: 2021 MG Marvel R Electric unveiled for Europe

“It will be a pretty exciting next 12 months,” MG Australia marketing boss Rick Whaite told Australian media, in reference to the company’s future model rollout.

Reports out of the UK have suggested the next-generation MG Marvel R may go by a different name – in a move that could see it become an MG-designed model, rather than a rebadge of a model from sister brand Roewe (or Rover).

Top-of-the-range versions of the current MG Marvel R in left-hand-drive European countries use three electric motors – one at the front, two at the rear – for system outputs of 212kW and 665Nm.

MG claims a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 4.9 seconds, a top speed limited to 200km/h, and 370km of claimed driving range in European WLTP testing from a 70kWh battery pack.

These specifications are unlikely to carry over to the new model if it adopts the new MG 4 hatchback’s dedicated electric-car platform – which is oriented for single-motor, rear-wheel-drive or dual-motor, all-wheel-drive cars.

The Marvel R would become the largest model in MG’s electric-car range, above the ZS EV small SUV – which is ageing, and based on six-year-old underpinnings – and the MG 4 small car.

The role of the MG model range flagship may be taken up by the upcoming Cyberster electric roadster – or MGC, as some reports say it may be called – which is due to be unveiled this year.

The Cyberster will be built in right-hand drive, and is believed to be a high chance for an Australian launch. It is due in UK showrooms early next year, which could correlate to first Australian arrivals later in 2024.

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