MG has long maintained that the UK market will be getting a heavily facelifted version of the current MG4 model rather than the all-new second generation version that's on sale in China, but Euro NCAP results seem to hint that the new car is coming soon with ‘MG4 Urban’ branding. 

It seems likely that the new car will be marketed by the Chinese-owned British brand as a smaller range budget option, with the facelifted MG4 being pushed slightly upmarket with bigger batteries. 

The second generation car is sold in China with a 43kWh LFP battery, and is rated for 272 miles under China’s CLTC standard. It’s also front-wheel drive, which is different to the current MG4, and powered by a 163hp e-motor, which is lower than the current car too. 

The MG4 Urban features softer styling than the sharp edged standard MG4, and is marginally bigger in terms of size – 100mm longer and 40mm taller, but the same width. The side profile looks similar to Volkswagen’s ID.3 with a raised shoulder line, and the rear lights are inspired by MG’s Cyberster convertible with a union jack motif. 

We don’t know any details about the interior of the car that’s been through the Euro NCAP test procedure, but the second generation MG4 in China features an interior in line with what we’ve seen in the recent MGS6 SUV, a rising central portion of the dashboard rising to meet a large touchscreen infotainment setup with storage underneath. 

The MG4 Urban is based on a newer electric platform than the existing MG4, so the carmaker will no doubt be keen to make sure that the Urban isn’t too nice, or else it’ll have to put a bit of extra effort into improving the MG4’s drive, comfort and efficiency to keep pace with rivals. 

​MG has previous with the Euro NCAP system, the MGS9 seven seat PHEV SUV getting a reveal back in November thanks to its crash test pictures. Both cars can of course be pleased with their five star scores. 

The MG4 Urban does look considerably better in one piece. We could see an official unveiling in the coming months