BEFORE we were even born (my generation, at least), a British automotive company called MG Car Company Limited, which is no longer extant, had manufactured sports cars in the 1920s. Best known for its two-seat open sports cars, MG, the initials of Morris Garages, also produced saloons and coupés. MG rose to fame not only among Brits but also among many Americans who loved driving and racing them over the years. MG went through a lot of changes, from takeovers and partnerships to Morris merging with Austin in The British Motor Corp. Limited in the 1950s to becoming the MG Division of BMC in the late 60s and then merging again with the British Leyland Motor Corp. By the start of 2000, MG was part of the MG Rover Group, which entered receivership in 2005.
Well, as fate would have it, MG is back and they’re moving fast as it is now owned by China’s biggest carmaker—SAIC Motors a.k.a. Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. The MG brand and assets were purchased by Nanjing Automobile Group (which merged with SAIC in 2008) for GB£53 million. Production restarted in 2007 in China. The first all-new model from MG in the UK for 16 years, the MG6, which is not a sports car but rather a fastback sedan, was officially launched in 2011.
Aside from MG, SAIC owns another brand called ROEWE, which also has three-engine technologies (“NetBlue”, “NetGreen”, intelligent internet). SAIC has three R&D centers in Shanghai, Nanjing and the UK. SAIC also has five major manufacturing bases in Lingang of Shanghai, Pukou of Nanjing, Zhengzhou of Henan, Ningde of Fujian (in construction) and Rayong of Thailand. Presently, MG cars are sold in the United Kingdom, China, Thailand, Australia, South America, the Middle East and now in the Philippines
The company, which has been manufacturing upper-medium segment vehicles, compact cars and SUVs, is aggressively building a good brand image. In fact, it has put together a comprehensive product portfolio, which is synchronized with its global automotive technology development and covers every segment of the mainstream passenger vehicle market. The annual sales volume of 2018 exceeded 700,000 units overtaking 520,000 in 2017.
SAIC now possesses world-class technology and independent innovative research capability, especially in traditional powertrains, new energy vehicles, internet and intelligent driving technologies. The company has also conquered the technical barriers of its overseas automobile opponents and is highly competitive in the automotive world.
During my visit to Shanghai recently, SAIC Motor International took us to the Shanghai Tianma Circuit to test the new MG6, MG ZS and MG RX5. These three vehicles are currently being sold in the Philippines by The Covenant Car Company Inc. (TCCCI), also the distributor of Volvo and Chevrolet.
The new MG6 fastback sedan is the brand’s new take on sport and luxury. At a distance, the MG6 looks like an Acura but the difference is MG6’s athletic exterior persona is matched with an eye-catching 18-inch alloy wheels with low rolling resistance tires. It has an elegant interior fitted with flat-bottomed steering wheel as a nod to the brands rich racing heritage with multi-functional controls to keep up with the times including a large eight-inch full-color touch-screen infotainment system in the middle of the dashboard. The cabin is accentuated with two-toned red and black seats, dash, and door panels. It was fun to drive on the track. Power comes from an efficient, 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine generating 162 hp and 250 N-m of maximum torque.
The AT ‘Alpha’ version is being offered at P1.068.888 million while the AT ‘Trophy’ edition is valued at P1.188.888 million.
The new MG ZS crossover looks like a Mazda on the front but the ZS has the distinct design elements such as the ‘London Eye’ headlights, a ‘Stardust’ front grille, and ‘Plough’ taillights that make heads turn. The selling points of this vehicle are the high-quality soft materials used and ergonomics featuring easy-to-reach controls as well as abundant storage areas. It also features an eight-inch LCD infotainment system with Apple CarPlay. Motivation comes from a1.5-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine, which produces 114 hp and 150 N-m of maximum torque. There are three variants available including The MT ‘Style’ version, which is priced at P818,888 while the AT ‘Style’ version is valued at P868,888 and the AT ‘Alpha’ edition, meantime, is being offered at P998,888.
The new MG RX5 compact SUV is definitely a European-inspired style, which embodies class, power, and functionality with driving dynamics that allow it to easily navigate through various terrains. The RX5 is equipped with full LED headlamps and a panoramic sunroof as well as 10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Also, it features an understated yet refined exterior, a modern, comfortable and spacious cabin. The RX5 is powered by an efficient 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, which produces 162 hp and 250 N-m of maximum torque. It is mated to a seven-speed double clutch automatic transmission, which offers smooth and seamless power delivery. The MT ‘Style’ variant is priced at P1.058.888 million while the AT ‘Style’ version is valued at P1.228.888 million. We also tested the MG RX5 plug-in hybrid model that may be introduced in the country.
The best part is that all these models, along with every other brand new MG car, come with a five-year or 100,000 km warranty.
We also visited SAIC’s Design and R&D Center in Lingang in Shanghai, which you can read more about in my article next week.