'Everything is on the table': 2024 MG Marvel R, new MG3, Cyberster and more to underpin MG's expansion plans in Australia

MG may have risen rapidly to seventh position in the Australian market, trailing Mitsubishi by a tight margin, but the brand has even more aggressive expansion plans in the pipeline, according to comments made by MG executives at the Fully Charged Live expo in Sydney.

“We will have a good cadence in our product line-up in the next 12 to 18 months” said MG Product Planner, Kevin Khou, responding to questions about how many new releases the brand has in the pipeline,

“Cyberster is on the cards, as is Marvel R which would be great to have, [but] it would have to be the next-generation Marvel R.”

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MG executives also hinted at more vehicles using the new modular platform which underpins the MG4, with Khou explaining: “It’s hugely expandable, it definitely excites me, and it’s something to look forward to.

“There’s an impressive portfolio in the mix [in China and other overseas markets] and we’re looking to take advantage of that in the future.”

The brand’s General Manager of Marketing, Rick Wade, explained there was also a “high likelihood” that a touted next-generation MG3 would be electrified, after the current model ceases production.

“Any successful automaker has an aspiration to be further up the chain than they currently are,” he said.

So what will help MG eclipse Mitsubishi and maybe even Ford in the sales charts?

We know the MG4 electric hatch, and MG5 combustion sedan will be arriving this year to plug a hole in the brand’s current line-up, but beyond that we can look at the overseas portfolio to make more sense of how MG can fill out its line-up.

One thing that MG executives have continually ruled out, however, is tapping into the catalogue of Maxus, which we know as LDV. This means we shouldn’t expect MG to move into the highly competitive dual-cab ute or off-road 4x4 space, which it is able to do overseas with the MG Extender (a re-branded LDV T60), or MG Gloster (a re-branded LDV D90).

Here are some models we can definitely expect, and some from overseas that could potentially expand MG’s footprint in Australia.

MG Marvel R

The Marvel R has been ruled out for an Australian launch as it is only built in left-hand drive.

Why? It’s an electric mid-size SUV to complement the HS combustion car, and add a larger EV than the ZS EV in MG’s range.

The Marvel R is currently on-sale in Europe, but has thus far been ruled out for an Australian launch as it is only built in left-hand drive. Wearing Roewe badges in its home market of China, the Marvel R gets a specific MG-branded tune for Europe, complete with a tri-motor performance variant. 

MG’s Australian representatives specifically expressed interest in the Marvel R for Australia, but said it would have to be for its next iteration as the current one isn’t planned to be built in right-hand drive.

Wuling Bingo

The Bingo measures in at 3950mm long, 1708mm wide, and 1580mm tall.

Why? While it comes from a SAIC-GM joint-venture, the Wuling Bingo is currently the only vehicle we can see in the SAIC family which meets the requirements for a fully electric replacement for the MG3, and the Marvel R has shown MG isn’t afraid to re-brand cars from some of SAIC’s Chinese marques.

The Wuling Bingo is fully electric, offers a 333km driving range on a full charge, and is the city-sized and potentially cheap EV MG needs.

Right now though it’s only built in left-hand drive for China, but MG Australia has specifically said on multiple occasions that there’s a very good chance the next MG3 will be electrified, plus the Bingo is only a few millimetres smaller than the current MG3, measuring 3950mm long, 1708mm wide, and 1580mm tall. As the Bingo is yet to even hit the Chinese market, we don’t even know how much it will cost, but expect it to be cheap.

Roewe iMax8

The iMax8 is a full sized luxury people mover currently only offered in left-hand drive.

Why? It would give MG a compelling, semi-luxury people mover to compete with the likes of the Kia Carnival, plus there’s even a fully electric version.

The iMax8 is a full sized luxury people mover in the vein of the popular grey-imported Toyota Alphard. Offering a 2.0-litre turbocharged version with an eight-speed automatic from the equivalent of $40,415 in China, or even a fully electric version with a 90kWh battery good for a 570km cruising range on the Chinese standard. The iMax8, if re-branded, could offer MG conquest of yet another segment.

As is the case with all Roewe models though, it is currently only offered in left-hand drive, and the iMax8 specifically would have to cross swords with its LDV equivalent, the Mifa and Mifa 9 people movers in the Australian market.

Roewe RX9

The RX9 seems to be a more suitable offering for the Australian market.

Why? A six-seat SUV to sit above the HS.

Again from SAIC’s Roewe luxury brand, the RX9 seems to be a more suitable offering for our market, should it ever be built in right-hand drive, than something like the MG Gloster (based on the LDV D90).

Unlike that model, the RX9 wears SAIC’s latest design language inside and out, with big screens, high levels of driver assist tech, and a similar swoopy look to the Marvel R.

With a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, all-wheel drive system, and nine-speed auto, a re-badged version of this SUV could be what MG needs to provide an alternative to the likes of the Nissan Pathfinder, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Kia Sorento.

MG Cyberster/MGe/MG C EV

The fully electric Cyberster will move MG in a new direction, both in terms of its sporty intent and its pricing.

Why? It is MG after all…

MG’s Australian division is very interested in the fully electric coupe, and to add further legitimacy to this, the roadster is confirmed to be heading to the right-hand drive UK market.

We don’t know much about the much-anticipated drop-top, other than the fact that it will be fully electric, and move the brand in a new direction, both in terms of its sporty intent and its pricing.

Overseas reports suggest both rear- and all-wheel drive versions, as well as tech items like always-online connectivity. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this one, so stay tuned for more info.