MG 6

MG6

MG6 saloon, in the UK
Manufacturer	MG Motor (SAIC Motor)
Production	2010–present
Assembly	Pukou, Nanjing, China Longbridge, Birmingham, England
Predecessor	MG ZS Rover 45
Body style	5-door fastback 4-door saloon
Layout	FF layout
Engine	1.8 L turbo I4 1.9 L diesel I4
Length	4,651 mm (183.1 in)
Width	2,008 mm (79.1 in)
Height	1,472 mm (58.0 in)
Kerb weight	1,485 kg (3,270 lb)
Related	Roewe 550
Designer(s)	Tony Williams-Kenny[1]

The MG6 is a mid-size car under the MG marque, built by Chinese carmaker SAIC Motor, derived from the Roewe 550 and hence distantly related to the Rover 75, sharing its front subframe.^[2] It was initially announced in April 2009 at the Shanghai Auto Show as a hatchback^[3] and in October 2010 at Shanghai Expo as a 4-door saloon model.^[4]

The five-door hatchback, known as the MG6 GT, went on sale in the United Kingdom in May 2011,^[5] the saloon, known as the MG6 Magnette, went on sale on 16 July 2011.^[6] A diesel model joined the range at the end of 2012.

History [edit]

Like the Roewe 550, some of the development and styling of the MG6 was done at the MG Motor UK Technical Centre. The MG6 commenced production in China in 2010^[7] and Partially Knocked Down form at Longbridge, UK from 13 April 2011.^[8] The MG 3 supermini is also expected to undergo some limited final assembly at the same factory.^[9]

Following the hatchback 6 GT, the saloon version debuted in June 2011 carrying the Magnette name which was used by MG during the 1950s and 1960s for its saloon cars, and also in the 1930s for the MG K-type. The MG6 Magnette is identical to the fastback MG6 GT other than body style.

Models [edit]

2010 MG6 on show in China

The launch models are available with the petrol TCI-Tech 1.8 L engine, available in two states of tune, 133 bhp (99 kW; 135 PS) and 158 bhp (118 kW; 160 PS) (with turbo), the latter being available from launch in China and as the only engine option at launch in the UK.^[10] All models are equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission, front Mcpherson strut suspension and multi-link rear suspension.^[11] The 1.8 L turbo can accelerate to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds, boasts an official combined fuel consumption of 35.6mpg and a CO₂ figure of 184g/km. Top speed is restricted to 120 mph (193 km/h) to allow the car to be a rated a lower insurance bracket.^[12] Minor improvements to the MG 6 in April 2012 resulted in fuel economy figure of 37.7mpg (official combined) and reducing CO₂ down to 174g/km.^[13]

A 1.9 L diesel DTi-Tech engine joined the range at the end of 2012, producing 148 bhp (110 kW; 150 PS) and 350 N·m (258 lb·ft) and producing CO₂ emissions of 139g/km.^[14] The diesel engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, and the steering has changed to an electro-hydraulic powered system.^[15]

In the UK, the car was initially launched as the MG6 but on release to the public in May 2011 the fastback model was announced as the MG6 GT.^[16] For the MG6 GT, three levels of trim are available with increasing levels of equipment and trim; S, SE and TSE. These all share the same mechanical specification, although the TSE gains 18" wheels over the standard 17".

The standard colours are Pitch Black, Arctic White and Regal Red. The only option offered is metallic paint at £395: metallic colours are Union Blue, Platinum Silver, Granite Grey and Burnt Orange. At the UK launch, the prices of the MG6 GT were S: £15,495; SE: £16,995; TSE: £18,995.^[17]

Sales [edit]

Initial 2011 sales of the MG6 in the UK were slow, with only 15 units in October 2011, only seven registrations for the MG brand as a whole were recorded in November (of which three were presumably TF roadsters).^[18][19] Some cited lack of advertising and low perceived quality as problematic, while the absence of a diesel and an estate option were also mooted.^[19][20]

In December 2011, car rental company Avis UK Ltd announced that it would be running 100 MG6 GT and Magnette in its rental fleet and took delivery of these cars.^[21] For 2012, MG sold 782 cars in the UK.^[22]

Initial UK production was projected in the range of 2000 to 3000 per annum.^[23]

Motorsport [edit]

Triple 8 Race Engineering runs a pair of works MG6 GT models under NGTC regulations in the British Touring Car Championship. The drivers are Jason Plato and Sam Tordoff under the banner MG KX Momentum Racing.

Jason Plato`s original team mate was Andy Neate, who moved to form his own team at the end of 2012.

References [edit]

External links [edit]

• MG Motor UK
• The newest 2009 MG6 blueprints
• Latest news on MG6

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