[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong (홍진주)] MG has begun developing a small electric city car aimed at a 2027 launch. It unveiled the 'GO!' concept car and laid out a direction for a next-generation electric hatchback to target Europe's small electric car market.

On July 9 local time, electric vehicle outlet InsideEV reported that MG unveiled the 'GO!' electric concept car at the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The model is a concept showing the design and brand strategy for a small electric hatchback that will be mass-produced in the future.

The most eye-catching part is the design. Rounded headlamps, the front-end proportions and the body silhouette are being assessed as reminiscent of the current Mini. MG said, however, it is not a simple retro design but a model that captures a new direction for future small electric cars.

MG stressed that 'GO!' is not merely a display concept showing a future electric city car. It also cited as background for the project the fact that distinctive small electric cars such as the Renault 5 E-Tech have recently drawn strong interest and sales in the European market.

Its design philosophy is also clear. MG said it drew inspiration from its signature models, including the MGB GT, the MG Metro Turbo, the MG ZR and the MG EX4. It said the goal is not simply to recreate the past, but to add emotion and individuality to a modern small electric car.

Specific specifications for the production model have not yet been disclosed. Key specifications such as battery capacity, driving range, output and charging performance are undecided, and the launch schedule has not been confirmed. Industry watchers, however, expect the production model to keep the concept car's basic proportions and design, while toning down exaggerated fenders and an aggressive front end into more realistic shapes. The name is being discussed as a possible next-generation 'MG2'.

The project also ties into a shift in MG's brand strategy. Since China's SAIC acquired the MG brand, many of the vehicles launched have been based on models sold in China. 'GO!', however, stands out by putting forward an original design concept that actively reflects MG's history and identity as a British brand.

It also carries significance for sales strategy. If the Cyberster sports car is tasked with strengthening the brand image, a future small electric car is highly likely to be a key model responsible for expanding sales volume. The industry expects it could compete sufficiently not only with European brands including Renault but also with Chinese rivals, if it maintains the concept's character through production while securing price competitiveness.

MG's growth in the European market is also continuing. The company said it recently sold more than 317,000 electric vehicles and 130,000 hybrid vehicles in Europe. It is also expanding its electric vehicle lineup by fully redesigning its core electric model MG4 and unveiling the 'MG4 Urban', a small model fitted with a semi-solid-state battery. The number of models sold in Europe now totals 11, excluding detailed variants by powertrain.

The industry is viewing 'GO!' not as a simple concept car, but as a signal flare showing MG's next-generation strategy for small electric cars. Key points to watch are how much design completeness it will maintain through production, and whether it can expand its presence in Europe's small electric car market by putting price competitiveness up front.