MG has previewed the MG 07 fastback sedan as an upmarket rival to the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal in China, where it’ll go on sale before the end of 2026.
Full details, including dimensions and powertrain specifications, are yet to be revealed, but the MG 07 – distinct from the petrol-powered, 4.8m-long MG 7 already on sale in Australia – will be positioned as a higher-specification model in the lineup.
Built on an entirely new 800-volt architecture and available with both electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains, it will be the first MG model to include LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology after parent SAIC Motor’s premium brand, IM Motors, introduced the tech on the IM LS7 SUV that isn’t offered in Australia.
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Is it unclear whether the MG 07 will be exported. The IM Motors brand has already borrowed from the large electric passenger car in Australia, which is also used as a model for MG’s massive vehicle.
MG models already in Australian showrooms have cameras and radar for their advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), the collective name for features like autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and lane-keep assist.
The MG 07’s LiDAR unit is clearly visible in the roof-mounted housing above the front windscreen.
Part of the Momenta R7 ‘Enhanced World Model’ (EWM), it uses artificial intelligence (AI) to learn and train itself effectively from previous driving situations it encounters.
LiDAR technology was previously described by Volvo as game-changing safety technology before the Geely-owned brand removed the system from the Australia-bound ES90 electric sedan and EX90 electric SUV.
The move followed issues which saw the Swedish automaker cancel a contract with a LiDAR supplier.
The MG 07 was spied earlier this year by CarNewsChina, revealing a high-performance model grade with red-painted brake calipers and semi-concealed door handles – where the IM5 sold here has flush-fitting units subject to a ban in China.
MG hasn’t released interior photos for the new MG 07, but previous spy shots showed a floating centre touchscreen and an MG 4-style steering wheel.
It’ll be priced from under 200,000 RMB (~A$40,700), while the most affordable Model 3 costs 235,500 RMB (~A$47,900) in China.
In Australia, sales figures showed that MG was the fourth-best-selling electric vehicle (EV) brand in terms of sales to the end of April 2026 behind BYD, Tesla and third-placed Kia.
The MG 4 was its biggest seller, sitting just outside the top 10 best-selling EVs, ahead of the MG S5 SUV.
The Tesla Model Y remained the most popular EV overall, ahead of the BYD Sealion 7 and Zeekr 7X.
A record 16.4 per cent EV market share year-to-date has followed record fuel prices across Australia, with brands including Ford and JAC offering $4000 fuel cards to entice buyers of diesel-powered models such as the Ford Ranger.
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