2024 MG 3: Australian launch timing and hybrid confirmed

December: MG 3 launch timing revealed

MG has confirmed when the next-generation MG 3 city car will arrive in Australia and that it will be available with both petrol and hybrid power.

The all-new city car, which is currently Australia’s cheapest vehicle thanks to a drive-away price of $19,990, has been gearing up for an Aussie release some time in 2024.

And now we know when it will launch, with an MG spokesperson confirming the new model will arrive in Q2 2024.

"MG Motor can confirm our line up for next year (2024) to include an all new MG3 available in both ICE and Hybrid, as well as the all new HS and Cyberster,” said the spokesperson. “The all new MG3 is an all new platform with different driveline options including hybrid and petrol.

We look forward to sharing specifications and pricing closer to launch time which is earmarked for Q2 in 2024 at this current time."

Exactly what engines the new MG 3 will use remains to be seen, though it’s likely the hybrid system will combine a 70kW/200Nm e-motor and 2.1kWh battery pack with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

Continue reading below for more details.

August: New MG 3 confirmed; initial details

The 2024 MG3 small car is gearing up for an Australian release in 2024 and the all-new car is likely to remain the Chinese-owned brand’s most affordable model.

Wheels understands that the MG 3 won’t be based on MG’s new Modular Scalable Platform (MSP) that sits beneath the brand’s electric MG 4 and will underpin the Cyberster EV sports car. The MG 3 is expected to launch with combustion, and potentially hybrid, powertrains.

When Wheels asked MG Motor Australia CEO Peter Cia, directly about the MG3’s arrival date and ANCAP rating status, he declined to answer.

“MG has many models coming in the next two-three years, we will have lots of chances to sit together and talk. Today, I welcome any questions about the MG 4”, he said.

Moments later, when asked about how MG intends to grow its market share Mr Ciao replied with MG3 confirmation in 2024, among other things.

“For 2024, we have more models coming. Not just MG4 and MG5 – we have the new-generation MG 3, new-generation HS, and one more SUV.” Confirmation of the light hatch's arrival, then.

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Patent images reveal what the next MG 3 will look like – tell us what you think in the comments

There was also discussion about the potential ANCAP ratings for the new MG 3, given the current car's no-rating status after the pre-facelift's 2014 three-star Euro NCAP expired.

In response to a question on the MG 5’s safety rating, Ciao said it comes down to a business decision. If the MG 3 were developed as a five-star car, the brand would be unable to achieve its signature affordable pricing.

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New 2024 MG 3, imagined by Theottle | © Wheels Media

“With each model, what [a five-star safety rating] really is, is a business decision, not a technical one. Because when we develop each model, we will decide, we will make a choice: How much? And what kind of technology to provide?

“We can provide any model with five-star [credentials] but that costs money, you know, and now in Australia this safety requirement is now so high it’s ridiculous”, said Mr Ciao.

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New 2024 MG 3, imagined by Theottle | © Wheels Media

Expect a base MG 3 to undercut the larger MG 5 sedan ($24,990 drive-away) when it arrives next year.

We do anticipate an increase over the current car's $19,990 drive-away pricing to reflect added low-speed AEB and newer features. A drive-away price between $22-24K is our best estimate right now.