MG eHS: Tesla Model Y rival leaked, a step closer to Australia

Images of a mid-size electric SUV being developed by Chinese car maker MG – which appears to be named the eHS – have surfaced online ahead of its expected introduction in 2025.

It is the successor to the Marvel R, a Tesla Model Y or Toyota RAV4-sized electric SUV built exclusively in left-hand drive and sold by MG in Europe for the past two years.

Whereas the outgoing Marvel R was designed by Roewe, another car brand owned by MG's parent company SAIC – but sold in Europe under the MG brand – patent images show the new model will be an MG from Day One.

And unlike its predecessor, it will be built in right-hand drive from 2025, according to the UK's Autocar – opening the door for an Australian launch.

MG Australia executives have previously expressed interest in the new car – alongside another Tesla Model Y-rivalling electric SUV, the $100,000 IM Motors LS6, which is under consideration for local showrooms.

The images above and below were published by the European Intellectual Property Office website, and show a mid-size electric SUV with styling similar to the MG 5 sedan, and upcoming MG 3 city hatch.

Zooming into the tailgate shows an 'eHS' badge – positioning it as an electric alternative to the petrol-powered MG HS on sale in Australia since 2020, and due for a facelift here next year.

Confusingly, the plug-in hybrid version of the MG HS is still sold in mainland Europe as the eHS.

According to Autocar, the new mid-size SUV will be underpinned by the Modular Scalable Platform (MSP) platform – also known as Nebula – debuted beneath the MG 4 electric hatch on sale in Australia now.

The platform can accomodate battery capacities of up to 150kWh – more than twice the size of the 70kWh pack in the current MG Marvel R, which is good for up to 370km of claimed WLTP driving range.

Autocar reports growing MG sales in the UK and Australia since the Marvel R went on sale in Europe in 2021 have "prompted MG to rethink" its decision not to build the car in right-hand drive.

"The appearance of this car is great, and the price will make it competitive,” MG 'business unit' general manager Lu Jiajun told the outlet.