Automotive

MG's CS urban SUV concept and MG3 "supermini" showcased in Shanghai

MG's CS urban SUV concept and MG3 "supermini" showcased in Shanghai
MG CS headlights have a multi-faceted ‘shard’ structure which refracts light in various colours
MG CS headlights have a multi-faceted ‘shard’ structure which refracts light in various colours
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MG3 unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show is targeted at the young, urban demographic (Photo: Gizmag.com)
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MG3 unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show is targeted at the young, urban demographic (Photo: Gizmag.com)
MG CS concept is the firm's first production urban SUV (Photo: Gizmag.com)
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MG CS concept is the firm's first production urban SUV (Photo: Gizmag.com)
MG3's 4-cylinder SOHC VTI-TECH engine delivers 103.5 hp via a 5-speed manual gearbox (Photo: Gizmag.com)
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MG3's 4-cylinder SOHC VTI-TECH engine delivers 103.5 hp via a 5-speed manual gearbox (Photo: Gizmag.com)
MG CS concept shows clean lines across the horizontal, while a high waistline and narrow glass reminds of Audi's Q5 (Photo: Gizmag.com)
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MG CS concept shows clean lines across the horizontal, while a high waistline and narrow glass reminds of Audi's Q5 (Photo: Gizmag.com)
MG, short for Morris Garages was initially founded in the UK in the 1920s but is now owned as subsidiary by SAIC (Photo: Gizmag.com)
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MG, short for Morris Garages was initially founded in the UK in the 1920s but is now owned as subsidiary by SAIC (Photo: Gizmag.com)
MG3 Supermini with its 5 doors and stubby length clearly borrows styling cues from MG's ZERO concept vehicle
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MG3 Supermini with its 5 doors and stubby length clearly borrows styling cues from MG's ZERO concept vehicle
Set to go out as a Mini figher, the MG3 is set to go on sale summer 2013
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Set to go out as a Mini figher, the MG3 is set to go on sale summer 2013
Dual-color side skirts echo the MG ZERO concept, giving the effect of a lowered stance
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Dual-color side skirts echo the MG ZERO concept, giving the effect of a lowered stance
MG’s Global Design Director, Anthony Williams-Kenny, oversaw MG CS concept's stylings
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MG’s Global Design Director, Anthony Williams-Kenny, oversaw MG CS concept's stylings
MG CS headlights have a multi-faceted ‘shard’ structure which refracts light in various colours
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MG CS headlights have a multi-faceted ‘shard’ structure which refracts light in various colours
MG CS concept carries design similarities to other crossovers but still retains a degree of individuality
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MG CS concept carries design similarities to other crossovers but still retains a degree of individuality
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Since the 1920s, British auto manufacturer MG has provided the world with some quirky, yet iconic sports cars. MG (Morris Garages) fell on hard times in the 80s and 90s and has struggled to remain relevant ever since. Now under the ownership of China's largest car-maker SAIC, the firm is working to re-establish itself as a competitive marque. To this end, the company rolled-out its latest offerings at the Shanghai Auto Show this weekend including the MG3 hatchback and the MG CS Crossover concept.

MG CS CONCEPT

MG’s Global Design Director, Anthony Williams-Kenny, oversaw MG CS concept's stylings
MG’s Global Design Director, Anthony Williams-Kenny, oversaw MG CS concept's stylings

The MG CS concept signals the company’s intention to establish itself in the competitive crossover market. On the outside there’s not much to differentiate the MG CS from most other urban-influenced crossovers. Clean heavy lines on the horizontal are reminiscent of Audi’s Q5, while the high waistline and narrowing glass treatment eeks memories of Land Rover’s Evoque. Overall, for a first effort, the CS design holds its own rather well despite a heavy profile and borrowed influences.

With the design overseen by MG’s Global Design Director, Anthony Williams-Kenny, the MG CS is intended to evoke “British design flair” while retaining MG genetics, although it is hard to find any MGB genealogical similarities.

MG CS headlights have a multi-faceted "shard" structure which refracts light in various colors and shapes from the side. The idea is intended to invoke and highlight MG’s trademark octagon badging in the front section.

Technical details on the MG CS concept are yet to be released and while the company says it is designed to "expand the global reach of the MG brand," there's no word on when an MG crossover will be hitting the road.

MG3

Dual-color side skirts echo the MG ZERO concept, giving the effect of a lowered stance
Dual-color side skirts echo the MG ZERO concept, giving the effect of a lowered stance

A production model based on the MG ZERO concept, the new MG3 "supermini" is a 5-door hatchback with its sights on the young, urban market.

The MG3 is short at 4 meters long, but should provide enough room for four adults of the six foot variety while making maneuvering in tight urban spaces a little easier.

Stylistically, the car is fairly innocuous. Despite MG’s claims of a “cheeky” design the overall look is homogeneously familiar. Over and above the car’s modest styling, owners can customize the wee MG3 up through an assortment of body graphics, interior trim options and dual colored wheels. Dual-color side skirts – perhaps the strongest link to the MG ZERO concept – also work to give the car a lower, more grounded stance.

Handling and suspension tweaks have been refined on the MG3 over many miles in an effort to provide a sporty yet nimble package. Powering the car is a 103.5 hp version of MG’s 16-valve, 4-cylinder VTi-TECH gas engine mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Full specifications, pricing and delivery dates of the MG3 will roll out over the next few months. Production is slated to get under way at MG's Birmingham site in coming months and UK and European launches are expected later this year.

MG was picked up in 2005 by Nanjing Automobile of China and then sold to the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) in 2007. MG still operates a dedicated facility out of the UK as MG Motors.

Source: MG Motors

View gallery - 13 images
3 comments
3 comments
Slowburn
Lackluster styling and a nameplate with a lot baggage.
Daishi
The MG CS looks sharp. I visited their website for the MG3 and it's worse than geocities pages circa 2000. All it needs is a midi track but it tries to make up for it with the giant "share on facebook" buttons (I counted 4 total).
The CS looks a lot like the Mazda CX-7 and the MG3 looks like the hatchback Mazda 3, but oddly enough they don't offer a car that looks like the Miata which is probably the style of car they are most famous for.
BigGoofyGuy
It would be nice if MG had made the Icon concept. I think it is really nice.
When I think of MG, I think of the Midget roadster. It would be great if they had made a modern version of it.
http://www.carnewschina.com/2010/04/19/saic-working-on-new-mg-roadster-engine-up-front/ Here is news (2010) for SAIC on them making a new roadster. It is a shame they did not make it (at least that I know of). It would truly revive the MG name; IMO.