MG has released the first pictures of the ES5, the replacement for the outgoing ZS EV.

The new electric crossover is based on the same underpinnings as the MG 4 EV hatchback and is slightly longer (4.48m) and wider (1.85m) than the ZS EV.

Chinese government filings previously confirmed that it will be powered by the same 168bhp motor as the standard 4.

It’s possible that it will also gain the 201bhp and 241bhp motors from the Long Range and Extended Range versions of the 4, although this has yet to be confirmed. 

It will also use a new lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery sourced from Chinese firm CATL.

Although the ES5 will replace the ZS EV, it's likely to drop the ZS moniker to better differentiate it from the all-new ZS Hybrid.

MG will reveal the car in full tomorrow (15 October), it said on Chinese social media.

The ES5 is expected to arrive in UK showrooms early next year, priced below £30,000.

For reference, the 4 starts at £26,995, while the current ZS EV is £30,495.