MG Preparing an Array of New Models to Conquer Europe

SAIC Motor Corporation, the owner of MG Motors, plans to develop several new models for the British brand in order to boost sales outside its home market in China. The Chinese owner of MG Motors has already spent £1 billion ($1.64 billion) to re-launch the MG and Roewe brands (former Rover) and intends to invest another £2.2 billion ($3.6 billion) to achieve annual sales of 700,000 by 2015.

In 2010, the two brands sold 160,397 cars, most of which were delivered in China, with only 2,000 units exported to other markets. This past April, MG launched its new mid-size MG6 in the UK, the first new car to be assembled at the British firm’s Longbridge plant in 16 years. The company said that when it completes the development of a diesel version, it will offer the car to rest of Europe. "We will not go into mainland Europe without a diesel," UK managing director, William Wong, told Autonews.

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Canadian Man Throws a V12 into a 1967 MGB GT

If you are a car guy like Mark Sawatsky of Winnipeg, Canada, and you happen to have a Jaguar 5.3-liter V12 and an old 1967 MGB GT lying around in your garage, it doesn’t take too long to come up with an impressive project. For Mark it was the creation of racecar to compete in the modified class of the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America). Read more »

MG6 to Start Production at Birmingham site on April 13, Prices Start from £15,495

The fastback version of the all-new MG6 will soon become MG Motor’s first all-new model to pass through the gates of the firm’s Longbridge factory in 16 years. The last time MG showed a brand new model was in 1995 with the MG F, a mid-engined, rear-wheel drive roadster. According to the British automaker, the first series production model will roll off the assembly line on April 13, 2011 at precisely 11:00 am.

MG Motors, which now belongs under the umbrella of China’s Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) group, will follow up with a sedan version of the MG6 this summer. Both the four-door saloon and the five-door fastback will be offered with a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine that’s good enough for 160 ponies and 215Nm of peak torque at 1750-4500 rpm.

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MG TF roadster set for revival

Throughout its production life from 2002 to 2005, the iconic MG TF outsold the rest of its competition put together and represents an important model in the history of UK's automotive industry. The brand is now owned by SAIC and it has been a desire of the Chinese manufacturer to revive the fortunes of the legendary TF starting with production and sale of the TF LE5000 model in the UK.

Now British magazine Auto Express is reporting work is afoot on the next generation TF, with both a convertible version and a coupe version planned, with production to take place at the Long Bridge factory in the West Midlands.

The Roewe 550 Compact Hatch platform will provide the underpinnings for the new model, albeit modified for rear-wheel drive in conjunction with engineering firm Ricardo. Styling will be inspired by the MG XPowerSV Supercar, the front fascia will reportedly feature quad headlights and a deep-set four-piece radiator grille whilst the rear will feature a curvy design.

The new MG TF roadster will go on sale in 2010.

Source: auto express

MG3 Crossover Debut at Guangzhou Motor Show

Return of the MG Streetwise

Back in July 2003 MG Rover launched its MG Streetwise (based on the Rover 25 / MG ZR) in order to compete in the then new SAV (Sports Activity Vehicles) market. It basicly meant that the on-road Rover 25 was raised in height and received bigger wheels to at least be able to go off-road.

At this years Guangzhou Motor Show in China, NAC MG has re-launched this SAV but rebadged as the MG3 Crossover. Back in 2003, MG Rover did not have big R&D budgets and made do with fairly little, NAC MG seems to have been happy to follow suit and just slapped on a new badge.

ChinaCarTimes says that it looks as good as ever, certainly it looks no worse but it has never been an eye-catcher either. The new NAC MG3 Crossover is based on an old car which already then used 7-year old technology, so it seems likely that the MG3 Crossover will die a quick but painless death relatively soon. The only thing it seems to really have going for itself is the price tag, the MG3 Crossover can be yours (in China) starting at 70,000 rmb or roughly 6,500 EURO upto 110,000 rmb or just over 10,000 EURO.