New MG6 Saloon First Photos, Goes on Sale in the UK this Summer

Having been delayed for a couple of months due to some negative consumer feedback, the MG6 four-door Saloon model has now taken over the social media scene. The first photos of the ₤17.000 Focus rivaling MG have been posted on the British firm's facebook page. The MG6 Saloon is scheduled to land in UK showrooms this summer, a few months after the first batch of MG6 fastback's reach their owners.

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MG Zero Cars Sporty

The MG Zero Concept has been unveiled to the world's media as one of the stars of the 2010 Beijing Automotive Show that could preview a production model planned for market launch in 2011, now one of the world's most important automotive events. The MG Zero Design car has been developed by MG Global Design team, led by British MG Design Director Anthony (Tony) Williams-Kenny, based in Birmingham.

MG Zero Design Cars

At around 4m in length, the MG Zero concept previews the design direction of the brand and demonstrates how MG can expand into this high- volume sector of the market. MG Zero reflects the latest trends in the market for vehicle size, styling and technology and is designed to show how MG will offer products that will appeal to a wide audience across the global market.

MG Zero Design also demonstrates the design and engineering capabilities of SAIC by showcasing a number of innovative features. The bold interior has clean and simple lines with high contrast flashes of accent colour. It uses the latest technology touch screens to allow occupants to interact with the world around them and features a striking 'floating console' design around the driver.

The high-tech materials are draw inspiration from ultra high-performance sports equipment and there is highly innovative use of interior lighting features to create real emotion in the cabin. The bold red-coloured illumination adds a touch of drama.

Commenting on the exterior style, Design Director Tony Williams said " This concept shows a bold, individual soul. The bonnet is formed around the famous octagonal badge, the graphics flow into striking lamps and the large lower grille completes the confident, sporty character. The body-side has a strong shoulder, a dynamic scalloped feature in the doors and flared arches to give a wide stance and strong road presence. The feature lines have been designed to give a strong relationship to the wheel arch demonstrating the fun nature of the cars dynamics."

MG Zero Design also explores the integration of the latest communications technology in the vehicle and in addition to the interior systems, it features a fun communications system on the exterior of the rear!

MG hasn't said much about the vehicle's details, including powerplant options, fuel economy or when we might expect to see a production version crop up. While we aren't exactly smitten with the car's nose, the rest of the design would do well in a segment dominated by the drab. Though concrete information is suspiciously absent at the moment, the company says the Zero should be a clear indication of where the brand is headed in the coming years.

Guy Jones, MG Motor UK Sales and Marketing Director summarised by saying "MG Zero is crucial to the development of the brand globally, as it gives clear direction for the future beyond the current products. We are all proud to see our British-designed vehicle wearing the MG badge creating such an impact in Beijing. With the MG TF back in production in Birmingham, sales increasing and the MG 6 coming at the end of 2010, the MG Zero Concept has come at the perfect time to build further awareness and interest in the brand here in the UK."

No details about its powertrain have been revealed but we can envisage a production version being powered by a range of fuel efficient four-cylinder engines, perhaps even with a turbocharger for a high-performance hot hatch model.

MG is reportedly working on several new models including a replacement for the TF roadster, as well as a sports coupe and a compact sedan.

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New MG Sports Cars TF Roadster

LONDON — MG Motor has begun work on an all-new front-engine, rear-drive open-top sports cars to replace its aging midengine TF roadster, now 15 years old. MG insiders tell Inside Line that the company might consider selling the sports cars in the U.S., given the marque's history in North America, but currently have no solid plans for a return.

2014 New MG Sports Cars TF Roadster

MG and SAIC have to provide the Mazda Miata with a little competition which could mean trouble for Mazda. Right now, it seems that Mazda is doing some damage with the Miata and its faithful followers, but one look at this rendering and people might decide to jump ship and cruise with the MG.

Development is at a very early stage and has significantly lower priority than the company's plans to introduce both the new MG6 hatchback, already on sale in China, and a new supermini to its U.K. factory. MG's Chinese owner Shanghai Auto hopes to re-establish mainstream car production in Britain and relaunch the MG brand across Europe.

But the company believes that a new sports cars is essential to the long-term credibility of MG as a sporting brand. Though far from concrete, the aim is to introduce the model during 2014. It would be built at MG's Birmingham, England plant.

That means the sports car manufacturer will not actually be manufacturing any sports cars for at least three years, rather preferring to focus its attention on the new MG6 and a small city car to be built in the UK. MG plans to build the new sports cars in Birmingham, England, as the brand’s Chinese owner, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC), attempts to reintroduce MG throughout Europe. One source close to the project says that MG wants to create a direct rival to the Mazda Miata, which is why a front-engine, rear-drive layout is preferred.

The first rumored model to be offered will be the 2014 MG TF Roadster with a front engine or rear drive layout and a soft-top design. A retactable hadrtop will not be offered due to cost and complexity. Under the hood there will be a GM sourced turbodiesel, a gasoline V6 engine, and a hybrid powertrain based on the system in SIAC Rowe 750. Although production is 3 years off, sources close to the project tell us that the early designs for the 2014 MG TF resemble these renderings. Note that the TF will again employ a soft top design.

Sources tell us a midengine layout, as used on today's TF, has been rejected because of the styling and packaging limitations it forces on the car, while front-wheel drive has been eliminated for not being sporty enough. MG does not expect the TF to live much beyond the end of 2010, leaving the brand without a sports cars for at least three years while a new model is developed. The company has not ruled out trying to find a partner with which to share a platform.

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MG to Build First All-New Model in 15 Years at its UK Plant

MG Rover's old Longbridge car plant is set to comeback in a big way when SAIC / MG begins building its first all new car in 15 years at the end of the year. The plant will start producing the MG6 mid-size model from knocked-down kits imported from China, preceding the UK relaunch of MG as a "value brand" in 2011.

The all new car will be available initially as a five-door fastback, with a four-door saloon to follow later on. The automaker optimistically told the Financial Times that customer clinics have compared the MG6 with the likes of the Ford Mondeo, Skoda Octavia and even with small BMWs. Prices in the UK are said to range between £16,000 to £20,000 (US$25,425 to US$31,780).

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1:44 PM | 0 comments | Read More

MG to Build First All-New Model in 15 Years at its UK Plant

MG Rover's old Longbridge car plant is set to comeback in a big way when SAIC / MG begins building its first all new car in 15 years at the end of the year. The plant will start producing the MG6 mid-size model from knocked-down kits imported from China, preceding the UK relaunch of MG as a "value brand" in 2011.

The all new car will be available initially as a five-door fastback, with a four-door saloon to follow later on. The automaker optimistically told the Financial Times that customer clinics have compared the MG6 with the likes of the Ford Mondeo, Skoda Octavia and even with small BMWs. Prices in the UK are said to range between £16,000 to £20,000 (US$25,425 to US$31,780).

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2014 New MG Sports Cars TF Roadster

LONDON — MG Motor has begun work on an all-new front-engine, rear-drive open-top sports cars to replace its aging midengine TF roadster, now 15 years old. MG insiders tell Inside Line that the company might consider selling the sports cars in the U.S., given the marque's history in North America, but currently have no solid plans for a return.

2014 New MG Sports Cars TF Roadster

MG and SAIC have to provide the Mazda Miata with a little competition which could mean trouble for Mazda. Right now, it seems that Mazda is doing some damage with the Miata and its faithful followers, but one look at this rendering and people might decide to jump ship and cruise with the MG.

Development is at a very early stage and has significantly lower priority than the company's plans to introduce both the new MG6 hatchback, already on sale in China, and a new supermini to its U.K. factory. MG's Chinese owner Shanghai Auto hopes to re-establish mainstream car production in Britain and relaunch the MG brand across Europe.

But the company believes that a new sports cars is essential to the long-term credibility of MG as a sporting brand. Though far from concrete, the aim is to introduce the model during 2014. It would be built at MG's Birmingham, England plant.

That means the sports car manufacturer will not actually be manufacturing any sports cars for at least three years, rather preferring to focus its attention on the new MG6 and a small city car to be built in the UK. MG plans to build the new sports cars in Birmingham, England, as the brand’s Chinese owner, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC), attempts to reintroduce MG throughout Europe. One source close to the project says that MG wants to create a direct rival to the Mazda Miata, which is why a front-engine, rear-drive layout is preferred.

The first rumored model to be offered will be the 2014 MG TF Roadster with a front engine or rear drive layout and a soft-top design. A retactable hadrtop will not be offered due to cost and complexity. Under the hood there will be a GM sourced turbodiesel, a gasoline V6 engine, and a hybrid powertrain based on the system in SIAC Rowe 750. Although production is 3 years off, sources close to the project tell us that the early designs for the 2014 MG TF resemble these renderings. Note that the TF will again employ a soft top design.

Sources tell us a midengine layout, as used on today's TF, has been rejected because of the styling and packaging limitations it forces on the car, while front-wheel drive has been eliminated for not being sporty enough. MG does not expect the TF to live much beyond the end of 2010, leaving the brand without a sports cars for at least three years while a new model is developed. The company has not ruled out trying to find a partner with which to share a platform.

5:15 AM | 0 comments | Read More

2014 New MG Sports Cars TF Roadster

LONDON — MG Motor has begun work on an all-new front-engine, rear-drive open-top sports cars to replace its aging midengine TF roadster, now 15 years old. MG insiders tell Inside Line that the company might consider selling the sports cars in the U.S., given the marque's history in North America, but currently have no solid plans for a return.

2014 New MG Sports Cars TF Roadster

MG and SAIC have to provide the Mazda Miata with a little competition which could mean trouble for Mazda. Right now, it seems that Mazda is doing some damage with the Miata and its faithful followers, but one look at this rendering and people might decide to jump ship and cruise with the MG.

Development is at a very early stage and has significantly lower priority than the company's plans to introduce both the new MG6 hatchback, already on sale in China, and a new supermini to its U.K. factory. MG's Chinese owner Shanghai Auto hopes to re-establish mainstream car production in Britain and relaunch the MG brand across Europe.

But the company believes that a new sports cars is essential to the long-term credibility of MG as a sporting brand. Though far from concrete, the aim is to introduce the model during 2014. It would be built at MG's Birmingham, England plant.

That means the sports car manufacturer will not actually be manufacturing any sports cars for at least three years, rather preferring to focus its attention on the new MG6 and a small city car to be built in the UK. MG plans to build the new sports cars in Birmingham, England, as the brand’s Chinese owner, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC), attempts to reintroduce MG throughout Europe. One source close to the project says that MG wants to create a direct rival to the Mazda Miata, which is why a front-engine, rear-drive layout is preferred.

The first rumored model to be offered will be the 2014 MG TF Roadster with a front engine or rear drive layout and a soft-top design. A retactable hadrtop will not be offered due to cost and complexity. Under the hood there will be a GM sourced turbodiesel, a gasoline V6 engine, and a hybrid powertrain based on the system in SIAC Rowe 750. Although production is 3 years off, sources close to the project tell us that the early designs for the 2014 MG TF resemble these renderings. Note that the TF will again employ a soft top design.

Sources tell us a midengine layout, as used on today's TF, has been rejected because of the styling and packaging limitations it forces on the car, while front-wheel drive has been eliminated for not being sporty enough. MG does not expect the TF to live much beyond the end of 2010, leaving the brand without a sports cars for at least three years while a new model is developed. The company has not ruled out trying to find a partner with which to share a platform.

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Last-Known MGB Works Rally Car Going Under Auction

An extremely rare 1964 MGB which is said to be the last known genuine MG works rally car is being offered for auction, 35 years after bidding farewell to the world of motorsports.

One of two only official MGB rally cars built in 1964, the specific example made its racing debut in the Spa-Sofia-Liege rally in August 1964. It then went on to race another five times as a works entry, at the Tulip Rally, The Acropolis Rally, Geneva Rally, the Castrol Danube Rally and the RAC Rally, all in 1965.

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MG XPower to be Well-Represented at UK's Historics Auction

Set to hit the block at the UK's Historics at Brooklands event are these two MG XPower SVs.

The carbon fiber-bodied MG XPower Sport Veloce, based on the less aggressive X80 concept, was designed by Peter Stevens (responsible, among others, for the McLaren F1 and Jaguar XJR-15) and is underpinned by a platform from Qvale's Mangusta.

Powered by Ford's 4.6 liter 4-valve Cobra V8, the standard SV made 320 horsepower with an advertised top speed of 165 mph when new.

Roughly 82 of the rear-wheel drive MG coupes were built and sold to consumers before a lack of sales forced MG to stop production. At around £75,000 when new, it's easy to see how that could happen.

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2011 New MG 6 Sports Car

MG Motor has unveiled its brand new MG6, the first car from the company since the launch of the MGF sports car. The model made its debut at the Guangzhou Auto show in China with sales to begin in the country in January 2010. The MG6 is a sporting five seat fastback model, designed to capture the character of the MG brand and bring something different to the volume market, including the UK, in the later part of 2010.

2011 MG 6 Sports Car

There is no word on the technical specs yet, but speculation has it that power will come from a 1.8L 4-cylinder making 133-hp and a peak torque 135 lb-ft. A turbocharged version will produce 160-hp and a maximum torque of 158 lb-ft.

The new MG6 will enter production next month at a new MG plant in Lingang, China.

Guy Jones, Sales and Marketing Director for MG Motor UK said, “This is a milestone day for the iconic MG brand and for the UK automotive industry. MG has begun the international launch of an all new model that has been designed and engineered here in the UK, for the global automotive market. Currently we only build and sell the mid-engined TF sports car here in the UK, but we can now look forward to expanding the range of MG products.”

The launch takes place at the Guangzhou Auto show in China and is the beginning of an exciting new global future for the MG brand. The launch in China, the world’s largest automotive market begins the international roll out of sales of MG6 which includes the UK. Sales in China will begin in January and plans for the UK and other markets will be released during 2010.

It was also announced today that production of MG6 for the China market will begin at the brand new state of the art factory in Lingang, China in December 2009. It is also planned to commence production of MG6 at the Birmingham plant in the UK before the end of 2010.

The world famous MG brand has never had such a bright future as it starts to expand global sales with an exciting new range of products.

MG6 Key Dimensions

- Length: 4651 mm

- Width: 1826 mm (without mirrors)

- Height: 1480 mm

Specifications for the UK and European markets will be released at a later date.

The MG6 proudly displays a new modernised version of the famous MG octagon badge for the first time. This new design is planned to carry forward on to all new MG models.

This new branding features in the new corporate identity for the launch in China which also uses the Morris Garages naming. This reflects the pride in the history of the brand, the need to communicate this in new markets and is a clear differentiator for the MG brand.

2:15 AM | 0 comments | Read More

2011 New MG 6 Sports Car

MG Motor has unveiled its brand new MG6, the first car from the company since the launch of the MGF sports car. The model made its debut at the Guangzhou Auto show in China with sales to begin in the country in January 2010. The MG6 is a sporting five seat fastback model, designed to capture the character of the MG brand and bring something different to the volume market, including the UK, in the later part of 2010.

2011 MG 6 Sports Car

There is no word on the technical specs yet, but speculation has it that power will come from a 1.8L 4-cylinder making 133-hp and a peak torque 135 lb-ft. A turbocharged version will produce 160-hp and a maximum torque of 158 lb-ft.

The new MG6 will enter production next month at a new MG plant in Lingang, China.

Guy Jones, Sales and Marketing Director for MG Motor UK said, “This is a milestone day for the iconic MG brand and for the UK automotive industry. MG has begun the international launch of an all new model that has been designed and engineered here in the UK, for the global automotive market. Currently we only build and sell the mid-engined TF sports car here in the UK, but we can now look forward to expanding the range of MG products.”

The launch takes place at the Guangzhou Auto show in China and is the beginning of an exciting new global future for the MG brand. The launch in China, the world’s largest automotive market begins the international roll out of sales of MG6 which includes the UK. Sales in China will begin in January and plans for the UK and other markets will be released during 2010.

It was also announced today that production of MG6 for the China market will begin at the brand new state of the art factory in Lingang, China in December 2009. It is also planned to commence production of MG6 at the Birmingham plant in the UK before the end of 2010.

The world famous MG brand has never had such a bright future as it starts to expand global sales with an exciting new range of products.

MG6 Key Dimensions

- Length: 4651 mm

- Width: 1826 mm (without mirrors)

- Height: 1480 mm

Specifications for the UK and European markets will be released at a later date.

The MG6 proudly displays a new modernised version of the famous MG octagon badge for the first time. This new design is planned to carry forward on to all new MG models.

This new branding features in the new corporate identity for the launch in China which also uses the Morris Garages naming. This reflects the pride in the history of the brand, the need to communicate this in new markets and is a clear differentiator for the MG brand.

2:15 AM | 0 comments | Read More