New MG electric hatchback spied in China: Is this the next MG 3? – UPDATE

UPDATE, 2 February 2022: MG's upcoming electric hatchback has been spied testing in daylight in Europe (images above and video below), revealing new details of its styling, and confirming its electric powertrain.

No new mechanical details surfaced alongside the video (filmed by Dániel Balogh, and posted on Carscoops). The original story continues below the video.

11 January 2022: Images have surfaced online of what could serve as a replacement to the top-selling (ageing) MG 3 city car – which could be available with all-electric power.

Posted first to Chinese social media – and later shared by on Twitter by Drive's European Correspondent Greg Kable – the images show a new five-door MG hatchback wrapped in heavy camouflage, with proportions that suggest either it's sized similarly to today's MG 3 (4055mm long), or one-size-up small cars like the Toyota Corolla (4375mm).

Visible through the camouflage is a front fascia inspired by the Cyberster electric roadster concept of 2021 – with a 'shark-nosed' grille opening and two central 'fins' – flanked by slim headlight clusters, and joined by a sharp ZS SUV-like shoulder line.

Pictured alongside the unnamed MG hatchback is a Chinese-market Roewe Ei5 electric wagon (sold as the MG 5 Electric in Europe), with the height of the former's roofline seemingly similar to that of the latter, which quotes 1513mm from wheels to roof.

The poor lighting of the images means it's difficult to get a clear look at the car's interior – however the octagonal MG logo can be seen proudly on the three-spoke steering wheel, confirming its identity, while photo editing tweaks appear to reveal a tablet-style infotainment screen atop the dashboard.

Leather seat trim, metallic interior accents and what appears to be a drive mode selector (or a Volkswagen Golf-like toggle switch gear selector) can be seen.

It's not entirely clear what is powering the new MG hatch, though reports accompanying the photos suggests it's an electric vehicle, with independent rear suspension similar to a Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus. It remains to be seen whether traditional petrol engines will be available.

Rumours surfaced in late 2020 the Chinese-owned car maker was planning an electric successor to the current MG 3 city car, offering 240km of range, and a list price of around £20,000 (AU$37,500).

UK publication Autocar cites inside sources that suggest the new electric hatch pictured in these photos will debut as a concept at the Beijing motor show this April, before the reveal of the production model in the second half of this year – and a launch in the right-hand-drive UK market in 2023.

An Australian launch is yet to be confirmed for the mystery MG model, though local executives for the brand have previously shown interest in such a vehicle, ahead of a likely launch within the coming years.

It's not clear if it would sit alongside the current MG 3 – which went on sale in Australia in 2016, but has been available in China since 2011 – or would replace it entirely.