MG 6

MG 6
MG 6 saloon, in the UK
Overview
Manufacturer	MG Motor (SAIC Motor)
Also called	MG 6 GT (hatchback) MG 6 Magnette (saloon)
Production	2010–present
Assembly	Laem Chabang, Thailand (CPG) Longbridge, Birmingham, United Kingdom Nanjing, China
Designer	Tony Williams-Kenny[1]
Body and chassis
Body style	5-door fastback 4-door saloon
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Related	Roewe 550
Powertrain
Engine	1.8 L Kavachi turbo I4 (petrol) 1.9 L I4 (diesel)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,705 mm (106.5 in)
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 (3,274 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Rover 45 MG ZS

The MG 6 is a mid-size car that has been produced by MG Motor from 2010 onwards. It is derived from the Roewe 550, hence being 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 MG 6 GT, went on sale in the United Kingdom in May 2011,^[5] the saloon, known as the MG 6 Magnette, went on sale on 16 July 2011.^[6] A diesel model joined the range at the end of 2012.

The first Thai-assembled car rolled off the assembly line on 4 June 2014,^[7] with a potential for 5,000 cars per annum.^[8]

History

Like the Roewe 550, some of the development and styling of the MG 6 was done at the MG Motor UK Technical Centre. The MG 6 commenced production in China in 2010^[9] and Partially Knocked Down form at Longbridge, UK from 13 April 2011.^[10] Since 2013, the MG 3 supermini also undergoes some limited final assembly at the same factory.^[11]

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 MG 6 Magnette is identical to the fastback MG 6 GT other than body style.

Models

2010 MG 6 on show in China

In the UK, the car was initially launched as the MG 6 but on release to the public in May 2011 the fastback model was announced as the MG 6 GT.^[12] For the MG 6 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 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.^[13] All models are equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission, front MacPherson strut suspension and multi-link rear suspension.^[14] The 1.8 L turbo can accelerate to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds, has 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.^[15] 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.^[16]

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.^[17] The diesel engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, and the steering has changed to an electro-hydraulic powered system.^[18] In 2014, the diesel engine was updated, reducing its CO₂ emissions to 129g/km.^[19]

MG6 2015 Facelift

A revised MG6 went on sale in the UK in May 2015.

Engines

The engines available in the UK for the MG6 are:

Safety

Euro NCAP 2011 6[20]	Points	Rating
Overall Score:	81.0 out of 128
Adult Occupant:	26.4 out of 36	73%
Child Occupant:	34.6 out of 49	71%
Pedestrian Impact:	15.0 out of 36	42%
Safety Assist:	5.0 out of 7	71%

ANCAP 2013 6[21]	Points	Rating
Overall Score:	27.73 out of 37
Offset Impact:	10.22 out of 16
Side Impact:	13.51 out of 16
Pole Impact:	2 out of 2
Bonus Points:	2 out of 3

Sales

Initial 2011 sales of the MG 6 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).^[22][23] Some cited lack of advertising and low perceived quality as problematic, while the absence of a diesel and an estate option were also mooted.^[23][24]

In December 2011, car rental company Avis UK Ltd announced that it would be running 100 MG 6 GT and Magnette in its rental fleet and took delivery of these cars.^[25] For 2012, MG sold 782 cars in the UK.^[26]

Initial UK production was projected in the range of 2000 to 3000 per annum.^[27]

Reviews

• The AA ^[28]
  Likes: Sharp handling and good ride, high standard specification, great value for money, good space efficiency.
  Gripes: Noisy engine when extended, some low quality cabin materials, no automatic option.
• Autocar ^[29]
  'The MG6 is now a greener proposition than ever before, but its bland cabin aesthetics are still letting the side down.'
• Auto Express ^[30]
  For: Involving handling, performance, standard kit levels.
  Against: Limited engine choice, poor quality interior, awkward looks.
• Auto Trader ^[31]
  'Despite Chinese ownership, the MG 6 is designed and built at Longbridge to take on family [cars]. It’s a decent drive, with sharp handling, and there's loads of interior space. Some serious flaws, though.'
• Evo ^[32][33]
  [+] One of the best in its class to drive, well priced.
  [-] Don't expect premium feel at these prices, gutless [petrol] engine and low-rent cabin.
• MSN Cars ^[34]
  Positives: ride and handling, equipment, practicality, styling and price.
  Negatives: interior plastics [and] economy.

Motorsport

In January 2012, MG Motor announced that it would enter the 2012 British Touring Car Championship season. Triple 8 Race Engineering ran a pair of works MG 6 GT models through the MG KX Momentum Racing team, driven by Jason Plato and Andy Neate. Plato ended the season in third place, with the car yet to find its foot in wet conditions. The team returned in 2013 with Sam Tordoff replacing Neate in the second MG, who performed well in his debut year having joined through the KX Academy scheme. Plato once again came third, with Tordoff sixth.

In 2014, MG won the Manufacturers' Championship to break Honda's four-year reign. After just three years of competition, the MG6 GT sealed the title by 95 points at the season finale at Brands Hatch. Drivers Plato and Tordoff racked up seven wins and 20 podiums in the 30-race calendar, as Plato finished second in the Drivers' Championship behind Colin Turkington, while Tordoff finished seventh. The 2014 season also saw a third Triple Eight-maintained MG6 GT on the grid, driven by Marc Hynes, who finished his début season in 18th.

For the 2015 campaign, MG aim to retain the Manufacturers' title with a new driver line up of 2013 champion Andrew Jordan and Jack Goff.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to MG 6.

• MG Motor UK
• The newest 2009 MG 6 blueprints
• Latest news on MG 6