MG Motor has confirmed the re-launch of its Australian operations with two passenger car models, followed by its first SUV.
Returning to local showrooms as a subsidiary of Shanghai Automotive Industrial Corporation (SAIC), China’s biggest auto manufacturer, the British-designed, Chinese-produced vehicle brand this week outlined an ambitious plan to become a mainstream industry player in Australia.
MG’s Australian return follows the acquisition of Australian rights from previous distributor Longwell Motor, whose earlier 2013 launch was aborted amid poor sales and limited dealership reach.
SAIC already exports its range of LDV commercial vehicles to Australia via Ateco Automotive, but has set up its first Australian subsidiary for the MG operation.
Anchoring MG’s re-launch will be the MG3 city car and the Toyota Corolla-sized MG6 small car, which will be sold predominantly through a network of dealership on the east Australian coast.
Those two offerings will be joined in time by the Chinese manufacturer’s GS SUV, which due at the beginning of next year.
The MG3 will be priced from $13,990 (plus on-road costs), pitting it directly against the Holden Spark, Kia Picanto, Mitsubishi Mirage and Skoda Fabia, among others.
It is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine that makes 78kW and 137Nm and is tied exclusively to a five-speed manual transmission across three grades: Core, Soul ($14,990) and Essence ($15,990).
In base grade Core form, the MG3 gets cloth trim, a four-speaker stereo and a trip computer. Rear parking sensors and Bluetooth are included on models higher up the food chain, however, smartphone mirroring and safety features such as autonomous emergency braking or even a reversing camera are off the table for now.
In addition, the MG3 features the unwanted tag of Australia’s worst rated passenger car from a safety perspective, with a three-star Euro NCAP score.
The larger MG6 slots above the MG3 alongside small cars like the Toyota Corolla, Hyundai i30/Elantra and Mazda3. Prices start at $21,990 (plus on-road costs), mirroring the same Core, Soul ($23,990) and Essence ($25,990) model trims as its smaller sibling.
Powering the larger model is a 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol that generates 118kW and 215Nm, while returning a claimed fuel average of 7.8L/100km.
The MG6 gets 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate-control, rear parking sensors and a six-speaker audio system in entry-level guise.
An 8.0-inch colour touch-screen, partial-leather trim, rain-sensing wipers and an electronic front differential are available on the mid-grade, while the top-spec Essence scores a reversing camera, leather trim and an electric front driver’s seat.
On a safety front, the MG6 has a four-star Euro NCAP rating.
The passenger car duo will in time be joined by the GS SUV. MG Australia representatives were reticient to talk about details of the high-rider this week, other than to say it will launch in showrooms “either late this year or early next year”.
From what we already know, at 4500mm long the GS is 40mm shorter than Australia’s best-selling Mazda CX-5 mid-size SUV, but at 1855mm wide and 1675mm tall is both wider and taller than its Japanese rival.
Riding on an all-new SAIC platform, MG hasn’t yet confirmed what engines will be available with the GS, but the safe money is it will come with the 164kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol combined with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic. An all-new 125kW/250Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine is also expected.
On the diesel side the current 110kW/350Nm 1.8-litre offering from the MG 6 will also be an option.
MG has backed its Australian roll-out with a six-year warranty schedule, roadside assistance and a yet-to-be priced capped-cost servicing program. Delivery of both models will commence from the end of November.
The brand’s new Australian stakeholders also hope to re-invigorate MG’s motorsport heritage with the signing of James Brock, who will lead an MG6 program in the 2017 Australian production car championship. The MG’s first outing will be at the Bathurst six-hour event in April, 2017.