Tri-motor MG Marvel R Electric promises 0-100km/h in 4.9s
MG has revealed its largest EV, the MG Marvel R mid-sized SUV that’s on the wish list for Australia.
The MG Marvel R Electric brings big performance and the promise of EV excitement as part of its Europe-focused appeal.
As well as the Volkswagen ID.4, MG clearly has the Tesla Model Y in the crosshairs of the Marvel R. It will also no doubt compete with the likes of the recently-revealed Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.
To be offered with either a two-motor rear-wheel drive setup or a three-motor all-wheel drive configuration, the MG Marvel R is more about driving excitement than the budget motoring the Chinese brand has focused on to date.
“It’s progressive, powerful and above all very appealing,” said MG Europe CEO Matt Lei in revealing the Marvel R. “The new MG models raise the bar even further in terms of design and appeal.”
Instead of being based on an existing SUV design – as with the MG ZS EV and MG HS PHEV – the Marvel R has a unique look, one that has a more powerful stance and more modern appeal than anything previously from the MG stables.
Its face is cleaner and more EV focused, lacking a dominant grille, while door handles are recessed and there are sporty air vents behind each front wheel.
“MG is demonstrating its sole commitment to electric mobility, offering European motorists affordable, practical, safe and high-tech vehicles with excellent quality,” said Lei.
“We promised we would make new energy vehicles accessible to drivers who are young at heart and ready to embark on a new electric lifestyle. MG wants to disrupt the EV market as the new, but more importantly, as the smart choice.”
The MG Marvel R Electric will be offered as an entry-level two-motor SUV driving only the rear wheels. Those cars will get a front storage area – or frunk – although no word yet on performance.
The flagship will be a tri-motor model that adds an electric motor to drive the front wheels, in turn soaking up the front storage space.
That tri-motor model is claimed to make 212kW and 665Nm for a 0-100km/h time of 4.9 seconds and a top speed of about 200km/h.
The Marvel R Electric will also be able to tow up to 750kg and provide 2.5kW of electricity to external sources, whether that be charging power tools or a laptop or providing a (slow) charge to another EV.
The Marvel R can AC charge at 11kW, although no word yet on the battery capacity. MG is instead promising a WLTP range of at least 400km.
DC fast charging can provide an 80 percent charge in as little as 30 minutes.
Like the recently-updated Tesla Model 3 – Australian versions of which now come exclusively from the new Chinese factory – the Marvel R Electric gets a heat pump designed to optimise charging and range in cold conditions.
“The climate control with an internal heat pump guarantees optimal charging performance at low temperatures,” said MG Europe PR boss Mike Belinfante.
The Marvel R Electric is 4674mm long, 1919mm wide and 1618mm tall, with a 2800mm-long wheelbase. Giving an indication of its prime competitor, MG says it is 9cm longer and 7cm wider than the Volkswagen ID.4.
Inside, the Marvel R Electric gets a huge 19.4-inch central infotainment system arranged in a portrait configuration.
There’s also a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a cleaner layout than in MG’s existing lineup. Ambient lighting is also included.
While there’s no word on price, the additional millimetres, additional tech and big power boost clearly mean it will sell for plenty more than the $43,990 drive-away ZS EV.
As for an Australian arrival, no word yet, although best guesses are it could arrive later in 2021.
MG Australia has previously promised it will expand its local EV offerings – even an electric hot hatch is on the cards – and that a new SUV would be one of those new arrivals.
All of which suggests it’s a matter of when, not if.
