SAIC Motor, the parent company of the MG brand, has officially posted the first pictures of the all-new MG4’s interior on Weibo, China’s microblogging platform, often described as a combined alternative to Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit. Gone are most physical buttons below the screen for key controls from the outgoing generation, with just five core function buttons remaining. And that won’t be to everyone’s liking.
Two color schemes are offered: Rose Purple and Mountain Blue, inspired by the muted, sophisticated palette used by Giorgio Morandi. He was a 20th-century Italian painter renowned for his still lifes, which featured subdued tones and harmonious compositions.
What makes these colors ‘Morandi-inspired’? A rather dusty, pastel palette avoiding bright or high-contrast tones, as both the Rose Purple and Mountain Blue are desaturated and softly balanced with greys. According to MG, these softer interior tones are intended to reduce visual fatigue, making driving a more relaxing experience.
It is part of what MG describes as a ‘Swan Wing’ design approach. The Swan Wing design approach refers to a specific styling philosophy for their car interiors, aiming to combine elegance, simplicity, and a sense of flow—much like the graceful wings of a swan. Alright, so now we know that as well.
From the driver’s seat position, the most notable change is the even more symmetrical, minimalist dashboard. The rotary dial for gear selection on a floating console has been relocated to a column-mounted electronic shifter, thereby freeing up space in the console. Space that is welcome to integrate a 50-watt wireless charging pad.
What will probably go down well with new owners are the material upgrades and layout tweaks that contribute to a more premium experience—especially in the zones drivers touch most, with soft-touch materials in the upper dash, door armrests, and center console trim. In the outgoing model, the lower sections and doors were made of hard plastics that felt rather budget-oriented.
Improved tactile experience
The new two-spoke steering wheel is leather‑wrapped with perforated detailing for improved tactile experience. What some people may dislike is that MG has removed even more physical buttons, leaving just five tactile shortcut buttons under the 15.6-inch floating central screen, where all controls are conveniently grouped.
However, the overall experience should be improved, if MG is to be believed, as MG (SAIC) has worked with Oppo on a new advanced infotainment and connectivity platform for the first time. Oppo is a Chinese tech giant best known for smartphones and smart devices. The in-car system now integrates Oppo’s ColorOS Auto, a customized OS based on Oppo’s smartphone ecosystem.
The old infotainment system was often criticized for lag, small icons, difficult-to-navigate menus, and climate controls hidden in submenus. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip, the new system offers fast, deep phone-to-car connectivity. An Oppo (or compatible) phone from Huawei, Xiaomi, Apple iPhone, or a device running Android OS acts as the core of the in-car interface.
It’s said to eliminate the need to install or update apps inside the car, as all apps run via your phone and are mirrored or extended into the car UI. In China, Oppo has similar partnerships with Geely, Dongfeng, and Chery.
MG says it has also improved the ergonomics of the front seats. Featuring a 503-millimetre-long cushion and offering both heating and ventilation. With a 45 mm longer wheelbase (2,750 mm) than the outgoing model, legroom is even better in the rear, where the 60/40 foldable backrests get a 27-degree recline angle for more comfort.
In China, the new MG is expected to be officially on launched on September 5, with pre-orders beginning on August 5. It will debut a new type of battery technology that bridges the gap between current technology and the highly anticipated solid-state batteries. However, the number of the MG4’s ‘semi-solid’ state batteries isn’t as impressive as you might think, we wrote earlier.
We already knew that the second-gen MG4 would utilise a 120 kW (163 hp) rear-mounted electric motor, but now we also see the range. It will use a 70 kWh battery pack, which provides a CLTC range of 537 km. For Europe, the WLTP range will likely hover around 400-450 km. Currently, the outgoing MG4 basic version with 51 kWh battery is available from €27,285 in Belgium. It will be challenging to maintain that price, judged by the ‘upgrade’.
