The MG3 will be priced between £8,399 and £9,999 for the top of the range model when the new car goes on sale ready for the September plate-change.

MG is hoping to attract young drivers to the brand with an expected insurance group rating of 4E. The brand will also be battling with Dacia as an alternative to the Sandero which starts has a top of the range model at £9,795.

All models get front LED lights and electronic hill hold as standard. All models above the entry level trim will get a DAB audio system as standard.

Safety equipment includes six airbags, electronic stability control, corner brake control and traction control.

Customers will be able to customise their MG3 with four models to choose from and the full range of graphic and style options can be found on the MG3 website.

At the top of the range is the MG3 3STYLE with 16-inch “Diamond” alloy wheels and a sports body styling pack that includes the rear boot spoiler and side sill extensions.

Standard high-tech convenience features include cruise control, automatic lights and windscreen wipers and reverse parking sensors for £9,999.

The mid-range MG3 3FORM available for £9,299 includes air conditioning, DAB radio,  Bluetooth and audio streaming, leather MG-design steering wheel with red stitching and steering wheel audio controls all as standard, above the entry model specification.

The MG3 3FORM SPORT includes all the features of the mid-range 3FORM with the sports body styling pack and 16-inch “Carousel” alloy wheels at £9,549.

The entry model MG3 3TIME costs £8,399 and features a CD player with MP3 compatibility and aux-in facility in addition to all the standard features on all MG3s.

All models are powered by a 103bhp petrol engine with a five speed manual gearbox.

Guy Jones, sales & marketing director, said; “The MG3 gives the market something really new; a stylish, highly practical, small car with many options for personalisation that is fun to drive, fun to buy and fun to own.

“With all models in the range priced below £10,000 and insurance expected to be just 4E, we can offer this type of product at a price position that no competitor can match.”