Mercedes-Benz GLC EV: New mid-size SUV gets modern twist on brand's classic face
The battery-electric version of the German premium brand's best-seller will debut at the Munich motor show (aka IAA Mobility) on September 7, 2025.
Mercedes-Benz has released a teaser image showing off its distinctive grille, and there are echoes of the grilles of classic models like the W126 S-Class – but with a catch.
While the chrome-surrounded grille has three rows with dozens of small square segments, reminiscent of Benzes of yore, it's closed-off and features integrated contour lighting and a 'smoked-glass-effect lattice structure'.
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Mercedes-Benz will also offer an illuminated version as an option, with 942 backlit dots and animation sequences.
The central star and the integrated surrounding contour of the panel are also illuminated.
The nod to the past is part of Mercedes-Benz's move away from the controversial design language employed on its Electric Vehicle Architecture-based EQE sedan, EQE SUV, EQS limousine and EQS SUV.
Mercedes-Benz has already facelifted the EQS in Europe, giving it a more conventional grille, and has paused deliveries of the quartet in the crucial US market due to slow sales.
The company has said it's moving to a 'coherent design language' across its portfolio, with its EVs to more closely resemble their combustion-powered counterparts even if they use different platforms – a strategy rival BMW already employs.
As seen in spy photos and teasers, it appears to have a more rakish silhouette than the combustion-powered GLC, but is much more athletic-looking than the blobby EQE SUV.
Mercedes-Benz is also ditching its EQ nameplates, which is why this new mid-size electric SUV is called the GLC with EQ Technology instead of the EQC.
Inside, the electric GLC will feature an 'all-new, seamless' MBUX Hyperscreen that will see the vehicle's screens under one layer of glass.
It's also the first model in a 'completely new family of vehicles' featuring MB.OS, a 'superbrain' that will power every new Mercedes-Benz.
The electric GLC will debut the brand's new MB.EA dedicated electric vehicle (EV) architecture, and rides a wheelbase 129mm longer than the combustion-powered GLC – so just over three metres.
It'll be offered in single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive configurations with system outputs of up to 500kW.
Batteries range from a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) unit that's likely to deliver a WLTP-rated range of just over 500km, to a 94.5kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery that boosts WLTP range to more than 800km.
This battery's highly efficient silicon carbide anodes and the 800V electrical architecture also allow charge rates of up to 320kW, which mean it can be topped up to give 400km more range in as little as 15 minutes.
A prototype we drove in Sweden earlier this year was reasonably close to what is likely to be the top-spec, non-AMG GLC 4Matic with EQ Technology.
Its dual-motor powertrain had a system output of 360kW, a two-speed transmission, the 94.5kWh battery, air suspension, and rear-wheel steering.
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Canberra Times
33 minutes ago
- Canberra Times
Childcare safety failures are a shock, how we respond shapes us for years to come
Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! Be the first to know when news breaks. As it happens Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. Get the very best journalism from The Canberra Times by signing up to our special reports. As it happens Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. Get the latest property and development news here. We've selected the best reading for your weekend. Join our weekly poll for Canberra Times readers. Your exclusive preview of David Pope's latest cartoon. Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Don't miss updates on news about the Public Service. As it happens Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. More from Court and Crime Sue Morphet is the former chief executive officer of Pacific Brands and past president of Chief Executive Women. Now, more than ever, Australia needs a robust, universal early childhood education system that supports women's workforce participation, economic and community prosperity, and ensures our children get the best start in life. This progress remains vulnerable and requires ongoing commitment. The gains Australian women have made in workforce participation didn't happen by chance; they resulted from deliberate policy choices that strengthened entire communities. In crisis, the temptation is to abandon what seems broken rather than fix it. But our early learning system is too important to abandon. We need better oversight, routine quality assessments, fairer wages and more support for our dedicated early educators. The overwhelming majority deserve our respect, not suspicion. This system needs serious reform. New powers to strip funding from failing providers must be the beginning, not the end. We must see early childhood education as essential infrastructure, like our schools and hospitals, vital to thriving communities. 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Australia ranks 34th globally for women's economic participation, despite having one of the world's most educated female populations . Now, more than ever, Australia needs a robust, universal early childhood education system that supports women's workforce participation. Picture Shutterstock Today, that system enables millions of Australian women to engage in the workforce, benefiting not only individuals but entire communities and our economy. This progress wasn't just awarded to us. Legions of women fought for it. The expansion of access to high-quality early childhood education and care changed that, brick by brick, centre by centre. Too many brilliant women stepped back, their talents lost to our workplaces and economy. Women faced impossible choices: abandon careers they'd spent a lifetime developing or cobble together unreliable care arrangements. I remember starting my career when access to high-quality early learning was virtually non-existent. 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Like every Australian, I've watched the early learning safety crisis with heartbreak. Your digital subscription includes access to content from all our websites in your region. Access unlimited news content and The Canberra Times app. Premium subscribers also enjoy interactive puzzles and access to the digital version of our print edition - Today's Paper. Login or create a free account to save this to My Saved List Login or create a free account to save this to My Saved List Login or create a free account to save this to My Saved List
The Advertiser
11 hours ago
- The Advertiser
After years of backsliding, the ADF is growing again. What's behind the recruitment uptick?
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has been facing a recruitment crisis for years. A lack of young people wanting to join has prompted a variety of responses from the force, including opening eligibility to some foreigners. Given talk of chronic shortages and a perennial recruitment crisis in Western volunteer forces, it's somewhat surprising to see there's finally been some progress. Recruitment has risen by 17 per cent over last year's figure. This exceeds planned growth and reverses a steady decline over the past 15 years, albeit still falls around 1000 people short of the financial year target of 8105. Applications were also up by a whopping 28 per cent. So what has changed to explain this turnaround? In order to maintain it and be better prepared for the security challenges Australia faces, we need to know what's behind it. In short, the recruitment drive is working. We were commissioned by the ADF to examine declining recruitment. As of June last year, only 80 per cent of the 69,000 personnel needed to meet future challenges had signed up. We wanted to know why. Some of reasons are cultural: young Australians today - those in Gen Z - have more circumspect attitudes to nation and duty compared to previous generations. They also face greater mental health challenges that - rightly or wrongly - make many feel unsuited to serve their country. Economic factors play a role too. Low unemployment and a perception of better opportunities, work conditions and future prospects in the private sector also contribute. We can make sense of the Australian figures by eliminating some possible explanations. The first is the idea that international conflict is driving recruitment. Looking at comparable countries with volunteer defence forces, it turns out Australia is not alone in rising interest in military careers. This year, the United States army met its target of recruiting 61,000 troops annually several months early. The German Bundeswehr reported a year-on-year recruitment uptick of 28 per cent in late July. In the United Kingdom, there was a 19 per cent rise in people joining the regular armed forces. And Canada's defence forces have just seen a 10-year high in recruitment, up by a staggering 55 per cent. So are people joining the armed forces in response to geopolitical issues? Not necessarily. For many young Germans, for example, the Ukraine war is deeply and personally affecting. Yet there is no evidence it's responsible for increased sign-ups. Our own security challenges - such as China's growing international assertiveness - are therefore not likely to be a driver here. Alternatively, we can look closer to home to see what's behind the recruitment boost. Typically, military service is a steady gig in bad economic times. But price rises have been largely reined in, unemployment remains relatively low and consumer confidence has improved. Economic factors are unlikely to explain what is going on. One possibility is young people's attitudes. The US Army has singled out renewed patriotism among youth as a reason. This is not likely to be the case in Australia. If anything, there are indications to the contrary. Former army chief Peter Leary blamed poor recruitment and retention on falling national pride. It's also unlikely fundamental values such as nationalism can change quickly enough to explain the sudden recruitment boost. It also could be that the image of the military has improved. We have had two high-profile commissions: the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and the Brereton Afghanistan Inquiry. It is conceivable these softened the ADF's reputation in the direction of Gen Z, signalling strong ethics and transparency. A recent survey from UNSW researchers, however, suggests that while these perceptions matter, there is limited awareness of the commissions and the issues that caused them. Military recruitment depends on the employer as much as on the employee. Has the ADF done something to make service more attractive? It seems it has. One example is mental and physical fitness standards. Commentators have argued mental health concerns can stop young people signing up. And stringent requirements mean less than 10 per cent of applicants are accepted. The ADF lowered medical requirements in 2024. This included requirements around acne, outed as "stupid" by Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh. This made sense as military roles are becoming more diverse. With fewer soldiers on the front line, there's less need for high-level mental and physical stamina. Another suggestion was to make the ADF more competitive in the "war for talent" in an increasingly fierce labour market. This too has been done: better pay, study, housing and health support are all part of a A$600 million government package. These measures also explain why, as more new soldiers were recruited, fewer existing ones quit: attrition fell from about 10 per cent down to 7.9 per cent. There were more measures, such as improving the processing of applications, and allowing citizens of New Zealand, Canada, the US and the UK to apply. According to Keogh, this generated some 500 extra applications. He also suggested the biggest driver was embedding ADF recruitment adverts into the media frequented by the target group of 16-25 year olds: TikTok and video games. What does all this tell us? As none of the underlying reasons why young Australians serve have changed since last year, it seems the ADF's recruitment initiative has hit the mark. The range of measures - targeted advertising, better pay and conditions, or eligibility criteria - make it hard to tell which did the work. It may be a combination of all of them. But as of July 1, the full-time ADF workforce was at 61,189 people. Given the force's target is 69,000 by the 2030s, there's some work still left to do. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has been facing a recruitment crisis for years. A lack of young people wanting to join has prompted a variety of responses from the force, including opening eligibility to some foreigners. Given talk of chronic shortages and a perennial recruitment crisis in Western volunteer forces, it's somewhat surprising to see there's finally been some progress. Recruitment has risen by 17 per cent over last year's figure. This exceeds planned growth and reverses a steady decline over the past 15 years, albeit still falls around 1000 people short of the financial year target of 8105. Applications were also up by a whopping 28 per cent. So what has changed to explain this turnaround? In order to maintain it and be better prepared for the security challenges Australia faces, we need to know what's behind it. In short, the recruitment drive is working. We were commissioned by the ADF to examine declining recruitment. As of June last year, only 80 per cent of the 69,000 personnel needed to meet future challenges had signed up. We wanted to know why. Some of reasons are cultural: young Australians today - those in Gen Z - have more circumspect attitudes to nation and duty compared to previous generations. They also face greater mental health challenges that - rightly or wrongly - make many feel unsuited to serve their country. Economic factors play a role too. Low unemployment and a perception of better opportunities, work conditions and future prospects in the private sector also contribute. We can make sense of the Australian figures by eliminating some possible explanations. The first is the idea that international conflict is driving recruitment. Looking at comparable countries with volunteer defence forces, it turns out Australia is not alone in rising interest in military careers. This year, the United States army met its target of recruiting 61,000 troops annually several months early. The German Bundeswehr reported a year-on-year recruitment uptick of 28 per cent in late July. In the United Kingdom, there was a 19 per cent rise in people joining the regular armed forces. And Canada's defence forces have just seen a 10-year high in recruitment, up by a staggering 55 per cent. So are people joining the armed forces in response to geopolitical issues? Not necessarily. For many young Germans, for example, the Ukraine war is deeply and personally affecting. Yet there is no evidence it's responsible for increased sign-ups. Our own security challenges - such as China's growing international assertiveness - are therefore not likely to be a driver here. Alternatively, we can look closer to home to see what's behind the recruitment boost. Typically, military service is a steady gig in bad economic times. But price rises have been largely reined in, unemployment remains relatively low and consumer confidence has improved. Economic factors are unlikely to explain what is going on. One possibility is young people's attitudes. The US Army has singled out renewed patriotism among youth as a reason. This is not likely to be the case in Australia. If anything, there are indications to the contrary. Former army chief Peter Leary blamed poor recruitment and retention on falling national pride. It's also unlikely fundamental values such as nationalism can change quickly enough to explain the sudden recruitment boost. It also could be that the image of the military has improved. We have had two high-profile commissions: the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and the Brereton Afghanistan Inquiry. It is conceivable these softened the ADF's reputation in the direction of Gen Z, signalling strong ethics and transparency. A recent survey from UNSW researchers, however, suggests that while these perceptions matter, there is limited awareness of the commissions and the issues that caused them. Military recruitment depends on the employer as much as on the employee. Has the ADF done something to make service more attractive? It seems it has. One example is mental and physical fitness standards. Commentators have argued mental health concerns can stop young people signing up. And stringent requirements mean less than 10 per cent of applicants are accepted. The ADF lowered medical requirements in 2024. This included requirements around acne, outed as "stupid" by Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh. This made sense as military roles are becoming more diverse. With fewer soldiers on the front line, there's less need for high-level mental and physical stamina. Another suggestion was to make the ADF more competitive in the "war for talent" in an increasingly fierce labour market. This too has been done: better pay, study, housing and health support are all part of a A$600 million government package. These measures also explain why, as more new soldiers were recruited, fewer existing ones quit: attrition fell from about 10 per cent down to 7.9 per cent. There were more measures, such as improving the processing of applications, and allowing citizens of New Zealand, Canada, the US and the UK to apply. According to Keogh, this generated some 500 extra applications. He also suggested the biggest driver was embedding ADF recruitment adverts into the media frequented by the target group of 16-25 year olds: TikTok and video games. What does all this tell us? As none of the underlying reasons why young Australians serve have changed since last year, it seems the ADF's recruitment initiative has hit the mark. The range of measures - targeted advertising, better pay and conditions, or eligibility criteria - make it hard to tell which did the work. It may be a combination of all of them. But as of July 1, the full-time ADF workforce was at 61,189 people. Given the force's target is 69,000 by the 2030s, there's some work still left to do. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has been facing a recruitment crisis for years. A lack of young people wanting to join has prompted a variety of responses from the force, including opening eligibility to some foreigners. Given talk of chronic shortages and a perennial recruitment crisis in Western volunteer forces, it's somewhat surprising to see there's finally been some progress. Recruitment has risen by 17 per cent over last year's figure. This exceeds planned growth and reverses a steady decline over the past 15 years, albeit still falls around 1000 people short of the financial year target of 8105. Applications were also up by a whopping 28 per cent. So what has changed to explain this turnaround? In order to maintain it and be better prepared for the security challenges Australia faces, we need to know what's behind it. In short, the recruitment drive is working. We were commissioned by the ADF to examine declining recruitment. As of June last year, only 80 per cent of the 69,000 personnel needed to meet future challenges had signed up. We wanted to know why. Some of reasons are cultural: young Australians today - those in Gen Z - have more circumspect attitudes to nation and duty compared to previous generations. They also face greater mental health challenges that - rightly or wrongly - make many feel unsuited to serve their country. Economic factors play a role too. Low unemployment and a perception of better opportunities, work conditions and future prospects in the private sector also contribute. We can make sense of the Australian figures by eliminating some possible explanations. The first is the idea that international conflict is driving recruitment. Looking at comparable countries with volunteer defence forces, it turns out Australia is not alone in rising interest in military careers. This year, the United States army met its target of recruiting 61,000 troops annually several months early. The German Bundeswehr reported a year-on-year recruitment uptick of 28 per cent in late July. In the United Kingdom, there was a 19 per cent rise in people joining the regular armed forces. And Canada's defence forces have just seen a 10-year high in recruitment, up by a staggering 55 per cent. So are people joining the armed forces in response to geopolitical issues? Not necessarily. For many young Germans, for example, the Ukraine war is deeply and personally affecting. Yet there is no evidence it's responsible for increased sign-ups. Our own security challenges - such as China's growing international assertiveness - are therefore not likely to be a driver here. Alternatively, we can look closer to home to see what's behind the recruitment boost. Typically, military service is a steady gig in bad economic times. But price rises have been largely reined in, unemployment remains relatively low and consumer confidence has improved. Economic factors are unlikely to explain what is going on. One possibility is young people's attitudes. The US Army has singled out renewed patriotism among youth as a reason. This is not likely to be the case in Australia. If anything, there are indications to the contrary. Former army chief Peter Leary blamed poor recruitment and retention on falling national pride. It's also unlikely fundamental values such as nationalism can change quickly enough to explain the sudden recruitment boost. It also could be that the image of the military has improved. We have had two high-profile commissions: the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and the Brereton Afghanistan Inquiry. It is conceivable these softened the ADF's reputation in the direction of Gen Z, signalling strong ethics and transparency. A recent survey from UNSW researchers, however, suggests that while these perceptions matter, there is limited awareness of the commissions and the issues that caused them. Military recruitment depends on the employer as much as on the employee. Has the ADF done something to make service more attractive? It seems it has. One example is mental and physical fitness standards. Commentators have argued mental health concerns can stop young people signing up. And stringent requirements mean less than 10 per cent of applicants are accepted. The ADF lowered medical requirements in 2024. This included requirements around acne, outed as "stupid" by Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh. This made sense as military roles are becoming more diverse. With fewer soldiers on the front line, there's less need for high-level mental and physical stamina. Another suggestion was to make the ADF more competitive in the "war for talent" in an increasingly fierce labour market. This too has been done: better pay, study, housing and health support are all part of a A$600 million government package. These measures also explain why, as more new soldiers were recruited, fewer existing ones quit: attrition fell from about 10 per cent down to 7.9 per cent. There were more measures, such as improving the processing of applications, and allowing citizens of New Zealand, Canada, the US and the UK to apply. According to Keogh, this generated some 500 extra applications. He also suggested the biggest driver was embedding ADF recruitment adverts into the media frequented by the target group of 16-25 year olds: TikTok and video games. What does all this tell us? As none of the underlying reasons why young Australians serve have changed since last year, it seems the ADF's recruitment initiative has hit the mark. The range of measures - targeted advertising, better pay and conditions, or eligibility criteria - make it hard to tell which did the work. It may be a combination of all of them. But as of July 1, the full-time ADF workforce was at 61,189 people. Given the force's target is 69,000 by the 2030s, there's some work still left to do. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has been facing a recruitment crisis for years. A lack of young people wanting to join has prompted a variety of responses from the force, including opening eligibility to some foreigners. Given talk of chronic shortages and a perennial recruitment crisis in Western volunteer forces, it's somewhat surprising to see there's finally been some progress. Recruitment has risen by 17 per cent over last year's figure. This exceeds planned growth and reverses a steady decline over the past 15 years, albeit still falls around 1000 people short of the financial year target of 8105. Applications were also up by a whopping 28 per cent. So what has changed to explain this turnaround? In order to maintain it and be better prepared for the security challenges Australia faces, we need to know what's behind it. In short, the recruitment drive is working. We were commissioned by the ADF to examine declining recruitment. As of June last year, only 80 per cent of the 69,000 personnel needed to meet future challenges had signed up. We wanted to know why. Some of reasons are cultural: young Australians today - those in Gen Z - have more circumspect attitudes to nation and duty compared to previous generations. They also face greater mental health challenges that - rightly or wrongly - make many feel unsuited to serve their country. Economic factors play a role too. Low unemployment and a perception of better opportunities, work conditions and future prospects in the private sector also contribute. We can make sense of the Australian figures by eliminating some possible explanations. The first is the idea that international conflict is driving recruitment. Looking at comparable countries with volunteer defence forces, it turns out Australia is not alone in rising interest in military careers. This year, the United States army met its target of recruiting 61,000 troops annually several months early. The German Bundeswehr reported a year-on-year recruitment uptick of 28 per cent in late July. In the United Kingdom, there was a 19 per cent rise in people joining the regular armed forces. And Canada's defence forces have just seen a 10-year high in recruitment, up by a staggering 55 per cent. So are people joining the armed forces in response to geopolitical issues? Not necessarily. For many young Germans, for example, the Ukraine war is deeply and personally affecting. Yet there is no evidence it's responsible for increased sign-ups. Our own security challenges - such as China's growing international assertiveness - are therefore not likely to be a driver here. Alternatively, we can look closer to home to see what's behind the recruitment boost. Typically, military service is a steady gig in bad economic times. But price rises have been largely reined in, unemployment remains relatively low and consumer confidence has improved. Economic factors are unlikely to explain what is going on. One possibility is young people's attitudes. The US Army has singled out renewed patriotism among youth as a reason. This is not likely to be the case in Australia. If anything, there are indications to the contrary. Former army chief Peter Leary blamed poor recruitment and retention on falling national pride. It's also unlikely fundamental values such as nationalism can change quickly enough to explain the sudden recruitment boost. It also could be that the image of the military has improved. We have had two high-profile commissions: the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and the Brereton Afghanistan Inquiry. It is conceivable these softened the ADF's reputation in the direction of Gen Z, signalling strong ethics and transparency. A recent survey from UNSW researchers, however, suggests that while these perceptions matter, there is limited awareness of the commissions and the issues that caused them. Military recruitment depends on the employer as much as on the employee. Has the ADF done something to make service more attractive? It seems it has. One example is mental and physical fitness standards. Commentators have argued mental health concerns can stop young people signing up. And stringent requirements mean less than 10 per cent of applicants are accepted. The ADF lowered medical requirements in 2024. This included requirements around acne, outed as "stupid" by Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh. This made sense as military roles are becoming more diverse. With fewer soldiers on the front line, there's less need for high-level mental and physical stamina. Another suggestion was to make the ADF more competitive in the "war for talent" in an increasingly fierce labour market. This too has been done: better pay, study, housing and health support are all part of a A$600 million government package. These measures also explain why, as more new soldiers were recruited, fewer existing ones quit: attrition fell from about 10 per cent down to 7.9 per cent. There were more measures, such as improving the processing of applications, and allowing citizens of New Zealand, Canada, the US and the UK to apply. According to Keogh, this generated some 500 extra applications. He also suggested the biggest driver was embedding ADF recruitment adverts into the media frequented by the target group of 16-25 year olds: TikTok and video games. What does all this tell us? As none of the underlying reasons why young Australians serve have changed since last year, it seems the ADF's recruitment initiative has hit the mark. The range of measures - targeted advertising, better pay and conditions, or eligibility criteria - make it hard to tell which did the work. It may be a combination of all of them. But as of July 1, the full-time ADF workforce was at 61,189 people. Given the force's target is 69,000 by the 2030s, there's some work still left to do.
The Advertiser
11 hours ago
- The Advertiser
2026 MG 4 detailed: Softer front-wheel drive hatch to get semi-solid-state battery
More next-generation MG 4 information has been released, with the brand announcing Chinese-market pricing and specifications for the new electric hatchback that may be released in Australia. It's launching in China on September 5 with a choice of two lithium iron phosphate batteries, but MG has confirmed mass deliveries of a semi-solid-state battery option will commence sometime this year. Pricing will be announced in September, though LFP-powered versions are priced from between 73,800 and 105,800 RMB (~A$15,800 to $22,700). MG is calling it the first mass-produced semi-solid-state battery, and is claimed to offer superior low-temperature discharge power and energy retention to batteries from rival brands, while also remaining smoke- and fire-free even in rigorous 10-pin three-way puncture tests. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new MG 4. Click here to get a great deal. The company hasn't confirmed any specifications for this battery, but the entry-level 42.8kWh LFP battery offers 437km of range and energy efficiency of 10.4kWh/100km – both under the CLTC cycle. The 53.95kWh LFP battery bumps these numbers up to 530km and 11.4kWh/100km. MG says the new hatchback features "the only integrated thermal management system in its class", which it says utilises a "proprietary aluminium rare-earth alloy" and "breaks Tesla's patent monopoly, achieving the 'impossible triangle' of efficient, comfortable and stable thermal management". The MG 4 supports 2C ultra-fast charging, allowing the vehicle to be charged from 30 to 80 per cent in 20 minutes, and also features cell-to-body integration. All MG 4s use a front-mounted electric motor offering 120kW of power and 250Nm of torque, which means the new MG 4 is front-wheel drive – not rear-wheel drive like the existing MG 4 which, while axed in China, will live on in Australia. It also features MacPherson strut front suspension but a torsion beam rear, unlike the existing MG 4 which features multi-link independent rear suspension. Inside, there are 30 storage spaces, including a 98L concealed dry/wet separation storage space under the boot floor. Other handy features include soft-light mirrors up front "designed for women's makeup and touchups", a ventilated 50W wireless phone charger, and a 1.8m2 'king bed mode' when you drop the 60:40 rear seats. There's extensive use of "baby-grade, skin-friendly leather", and the interior can be had in Rose Purple or Dark Mountain Blue. A 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard, but a larger 15.6-inch unit brings MG x Oppo Smart Car Connectivity. The new MG 4 is the first vehicle to include Oppo's Smart Driving features, developed by the smartphone company and MG's parent SAIC Motor, allowing for greater integration between the vehicle and not only Oppo phones but also Huawei, Apple and Android devices. Available equipment includes heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, 256-colour ambient lighting and a panoramic glass roof with power sunshade. Down back, there's 471L of boot space, expanding to 1362L with the rear seats folded. The MG 4 measures 4395mm long, 1842mm wide, 1551mm tall and rides a 2750mm wheelbase. That makes it 108mm longer, 6mm wider and up to 47mm taller than the current MG 4, on a 45mm longer wheelbase. It weighs between 1415kg and 1485kg, and uses a different platform to the existing MG 4 and MG S5 EV which ride on the Modular Scalable Platform. There are 14 active safety features in total, and MG says there's a blind spot function for rainy and dark weather – likely the same Rainy Night Mode seen in the new IM5 and IM6. The new MG 4 has been spied testing locally, and MG has confirmed it's being evaluated for a local launch. "We have taken our evaluation of this new model to the next stage in our process. It is under serious consideration to join alongside our award winning MG4 range to best match technology to the evolving needs of Australian drivers and lifestyles," said an MG Motor Australia spokesperson. "The much loved current MG4 is not going anywhere. Further testing will be completed before a decision is reached around this new model in Australia." While this new model has confusingly been revealed as the new MG 4 in China – where the existing MG 4 is no longer available – it's almost certain to wear a different nameplate here. In late June, MG parent SAIC Motor applied to trademark the name MG 4 EV Urban with IP Australia. MG hasn't confirmed whether it will use this name, however, of the MG trademarks SAIC Motor has filed over the past five years, all bar one – the QS Plug-in Hybrid – has subsequently appeared on a vehicle in local showrooms. MORE: Explore the MG 4 showroom Content originally sourced from: More next-generation MG 4 information has been released, with the brand announcing Chinese-market pricing and specifications for the new electric hatchback that may be released in Australia. It's launching in China on September 5 with a choice of two lithium iron phosphate batteries, but MG has confirmed mass deliveries of a semi-solid-state battery option will commence sometime this year. Pricing will be announced in September, though LFP-powered versions are priced from between 73,800 and 105,800 RMB (~A$15,800 to $22,700). MG is calling it the first mass-produced semi-solid-state battery, and is claimed to offer superior low-temperature discharge power and energy retention to batteries from rival brands, while also remaining smoke- and fire-free even in rigorous 10-pin three-way puncture tests. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new MG 4. Click here to get a great deal. The company hasn't confirmed any specifications for this battery, but the entry-level 42.8kWh LFP battery offers 437km of range and energy efficiency of 10.4kWh/100km – both under the CLTC cycle. The 53.95kWh LFP battery bumps these numbers up to 530km and 11.4kWh/100km. MG says the new hatchback features "the only integrated thermal management system in its class", which it says utilises a "proprietary aluminium rare-earth alloy" and "breaks Tesla's patent monopoly, achieving the 'impossible triangle' of efficient, comfortable and stable thermal management". The MG 4 supports 2C ultra-fast charging, allowing the vehicle to be charged from 30 to 80 per cent in 20 minutes, and also features cell-to-body integration. All MG 4s use a front-mounted electric motor offering 120kW of power and 250Nm of torque, which means the new MG 4 is front-wheel drive – not rear-wheel drive like the existing MG 4 which, while axed in China, will live on in Australia. It also features MacPherson strut front suspension but a torsion beam rear, unlike the existing MG 4 which features multi-link independent rear suspension. Inside, there are 30 storage spaces, including a 98L concealed dry/wet separation storage space under the boot floor. Other handy features include soft-light mirrors up front "designed for women's makeup and touchups", a ventilated 50W wireless phone charger, and a 1.8m2 'king bed mode' when you drop the 60:40 rear seats. There's extensive use of "baby-grade, skin-friendly leather", and the interior can be had in Rose Purple or Dark Mountain Blue. A 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard, but a larger 15.6-inch unit brings MG x Oppo Smart Car Connectivity. The new MG 4 is the first vehicle to include Oppo's Smart Driving features, developed by the smartphone company and MG's parent SAIC Motor, allowing for greater integration between the vehicle and not only Oppo phones but also Huawei, Apple and Android devices. Available equipment includes heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, 256-colour ambient lighting and a panoramic glass roof with power sunshade. Down back, there's 471L of boot space, expanding to 1362L with the rear seats folded. The MG 4 measures 4395mm long, 1842mm wide, 1551mm tall and rides a 2750mm wheelbase. That makes it 108mm longer, 6mm wider and up to 47mm taller than the current MG 4, on a 45mm longer wheelbase. It weighs between 1415kg and 1485kg, and uses a different platform to the existing MG 4 and MG S5 EV which ride on the Modular Scalable Platform. There are 14 active safety features in total, and MG says there's a blind spot function for rainy and dark weather – likely the same Rainy Night Mode seen in the new IM5 and IM6. The new MG 4 has been spied testing locally, and MG has confirmed it's being evaluated for a local launch. "We have taken our evaluation of this new model to the next stage in our process. It is under serious consideration to join alongside our award winning MG4 range to best match technology to the evolving needs of Australian drivers and lifestyles," said an MG Motor Australia spokesperson. "The much loved current MG4 is not going anywhere. Further testing will be completed before a decision is reached around this new model in Australia." While this new model has confusingly been revealed as the new MG 4 in China – where the existing MG 4 is no longer available – it's almost certain to wear a different nameplate here. In late June, MG parent SAIC Motor applied to trademark the name MG 4 EV Urban with IP Australia. MG hasn't confirmed whether it will use this name, however, of the MG trademarks SAIC Motor has filed over the past five years, all bar one – the QS Plug-in Hybrid – has subsequently appeared on a vehicle in local showrooms. MORE: Explore the MG 4 showroom Content originally sourced from: More next-generation MG 4 information has been released, with the brand announcing Chinese-market pricing and specifications for the new electric hatchback that may be released in Australia. It's launching in China on September 5 with a choice of two lithium iron phosphate batteries, but MG has confirmed mass deliveries of a semi-solid-state battery option will commence sometime this year. Pricing will be announced in September, though LFP-powered versions are priced from between 73,800 and 105,800 RMB (~A$15,800 to $22,700). MG is calling it the first mass-produced semi-solid-state battery, and is claimed to offer superior low-temperature discharge power and energy retention to batteries from rival brands, while also remaining smoke- and fire-free even in rigorous 10-pin three-way puncture tests. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new MG 4. Click here to get a great deal. The company hasn't confirmed any specifications for this battery, but the entry-level 42.8kWh LFP battery offers 437km of range and energy efficiency of 10.4kWh/100km – both under the CLTC cycle. The 53.95kWh LFP battery bumps these numbers up to 530km and 11.4kWh/100km. MG says the new hatchback features "the only integrated thermal management system in its class", which it says utilises a "proprietary aluminium rare-earth alloy" and "breaks Tesla's patent monopoly, achieving the 'impossible triangle' of efficient, comfortable and stable thermal management". The MG 4 supports 2C ultra-fast charging, allowing the vehicle to be charged from 30 to 80 per cent in 20 minutes, and also features cell-to-body integration. All MG 4s use a front-mounted electric motor offering 120kW of power and 250Nm of torque, which means the new MG 4 is front-wheel drive – not rear-wheel drive like the existing MG 4 which, while axed in China, will live on in Australia. It also features MacPherson strut front suspension but a torsion beam rear, unlike the existing MG 4 which features multi-link independent rear suspension. Inside, there are 30 storage spaces, including a 98L concealed dry/wet separation storage space under the boot floor. Other handy features include soft-light mirrors up front "designed for women's makeup and touchups", a ventilated 50W wireless phone charger, and a 1.8m2 'king bed mode' when you drop the 60:40 rear seats. There's extensive use of "baby-grade, skin-friendly leather", and the interior can be had in Rose Purple or Dark Mountain Blue. A 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard, but a larger 15.6-inch unit brings MG x Oppo Smart Car Connectivity. The new MG 4 is the first vehicle to include Oppo's Smart Driving features, developed by the smartphone company and MG's parent SAIC Motor, allowing for greater integration between the vehicle and not only Oppo phones but also Huawei, Apple and Android devices. Available equipment includes heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, 256-colour ambient lighting and a panoramic glass roof with power sunshade. Down back, there's 471L of boot space, expanding to 1362L with the rear seats folded. The MG 4 measures 4395mm long, 1842mm wide, 1551mm tall and rides a 2750mm wheelbase. That makes it 108mm longer, 6mm wider and up to 47mm taller than the current MG 4, on a 45mm longer wheelbase. It weighs between 1415kg and 1485kg, and uses a different platform to the existing MG 4 and MG S5 EV which ride on the Modular Scalable Platform. There are 14 active safety features in total, and MG says there's a blind spot function for rainy and dark weather – likely the same Rainy Night Mode seen in the new IM5 and IM6. The new MG 4 has been spied testing locally, and MG has confirmed it's being evaluated for a local launch. "We have taken our evaluation of this new model to the next stage in our process. It is under serious consideration to join alongside our award winning MG4 range to best match technology to the evolving needs of Australian drivers and lifestyles," said an MG Motor Australia spokesperson. "The much loved current MG4 is not going anywhere. Further testing will be completed before a decision is reached around this new model in Australia." While this new model has confusingly been revealed as the new MG 4 in China – where the existing MG 4 is no longer available – it's almost certain to wear a different nameplate here. In late June, MG parent SAIC Motor applied to trademark the name MG 4 EV Urban with IP Australia. MG hasn't confirmed whether it will use this name, however, of the MG trademarks SAIC Motor has filed over the past five years, all bar one – the QS Plug-in Hybrid – has subsequently appeared on a vehicle in local showrooms. MORE: Explore the MG 4 showroom Content originally sourced from: More next-generation MG 4 information has been released, with the brand announcing Chinese-market pricing and specifications for the new electric hatchback that may be released in Australia. It's launching in China on September 5 with a choice of two lithium iron phosphate batteries, but MG has confirmed mass deliveries of a semi-solid-state battery option will commence sometime this year. Pricing will be announced in September, though LFP-powered versions are priced from between 73,800 and 105,800 RMB (~A$15,800 to $22,700). MG is calling it the first mass-produced semi-solid-state battery, and is claimed to offer superior low-temperature discharge power and energy retention to batteries from rival brands, while also remaining smoke- and fire-free even in rigorous 10-pin three-way puncture tests. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new MG 4. Click here to get a great deal. The company hasn't confirmed any specifications for this battery, but the entry-level 42.8kWh LFP battery offers 437km of range and energy efficiency of 10.4kWh/100km – both under the CLTC cycle. The 53.95kWh LFP battery bumps these numbers up to 530km and 11.4kWh/100km. MG says the new hatchback features "the only integrated thermal management system in its class", which it says utilises a "proprietary aluminium rare-earth alloy" and "breaks Tesla's patent monopoly, achieving the 'impossible triangle' of efficient, comfortable and stable thermal management". The MG 4 supports 2C ultra-fast charging, allowing the vehicle to be charged from 30 to 80 per cent in 20 minutes, and also features cell-to-body integration. All MG 4s use a front-mounted electric motor offering 120kW of power and 250Nm of torque, which means the new MG 4 is front-wheel drive – not rear-wheel drive like the existing MG 4 which, while axed in China, will live on in Australia. It also features MacPherson strut front suspension but a torsion beam rear, unlike the existing MG 4 which features multi-link independent rear suspension. Inside, there are 30 storage spaces, including a 98L concealed dry/wet separation storage space under the boot floor. Other handy features include soft-light mirrors up front "designed for women's makeup and touchups", a ventilated 50W wireless phone charger, and a 1.8m2 'king bed mode' when you drop the 60:40 rear seats. There's extensive use of "baby-grade, skin-friendly leather", and the interior can be had in Rose Purple or Dark Mountain Blue. A 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard, but a larger 15.6-inch unit brings MG x Oppo Smart Car Connectivity. The new MG 4 is the first vehicle to include Oppo's Smart Driving features, developed by the smartphone company and MG's parent SAIC Motor, allowing for greater integration between the vehicle and not only Oppo phones but also Huawei, Apple and Android devices. Available equipment includes heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, 256-colour ambient lighting and a panoramic glass roof with power sunshade. Down back, there's 471L of boot space, expanding to 1362L with the rear seats folded. The MG 4 measures 4395mm long, 1842mm wide, 1551mm tall and rides a 2750mm wheelbase. That makes it 108mm longer, 6mm wider and up to 47mm taller than the current MG 4, on a 45mm longer wheelbase. It weighs between 1415kg and 1485kg, and uses a different platform to the existing MG 4 and MG S5 EV which ride on the Modular Scalable Platform. There are 14 active safety features in total, and MG says there's a blind spot function for rainy and dark weather – likely the same Rainy Night Mode seen in the new IM5 and IM6. The new MG 4 has been spied testing locally, and MG has confirmed it's being evaluated for a local launch. "We have taken our evaluation of this new model to the next stage in our process. It is under serious consideration to join alongside our award winning MG4 range to best match technology to the evolving needs of Australian drivers and lifestyles," said an MG Motor Australia spokesperson. "The much loved current MG4 is not going anywhere. Further testing will be completed before a decision is reached around this new model in Australia." While this new model has confusingly been revealed as the new MG 4 in China – where the existing MG 4 is no longer available – it's almost certain to wear a different nameplate here. In late June, MG parent SAIC Motor applied to trademark the name MG 4 EV Urban with IP Australia. MG hasn't confirmed whether it will use this name, however, of the MG trademarks SAIC Motor has filed over the past five years, all bar one – the QS Plug-in Hybrid – has subsequently appeared on a vehicle in local showrooms. MORE: Explore the MG 4 showroom Content originally sourced from:
