The car was the MG brand, which again is in the UK market: it is a new MG6.
Designed and developed in Britain in SAIC's technical center in Longbridge, MG6 average family car, which is about the same size as the Skoda Octavia. Did Chinese Roewe 550, this car really has its roots through 75, however, Rover, MG version, the car engine, chassis, bodywork and interior of all studied.
The current owner of the MG brand, SAIC plans to build these vehicles in the old MG Rover factory in Longbridge for sale in Britain. Our test car was one of many built in Nanjing plant SAIC, the official Chinese press launcher.
How does it feel?
MG6 was very bold and original design, since it is mainly intended for the Chinese market is notoriously conservative. Wide track wheels, flared arches, it looks great and includes some surprisingly sophisticated surface to create bold, sporty and modern appearance, and even compared to European competitors.
Cab car is all new and disclaims any resemblance to the Rover 75 or MG ZT. Materials are not as rich as or tactile information can be found in some European family saloons, but build quality is good: the switches and levers to move with strength and firmness.
Shanghai Automotive has two versions of MG6, both front-drive with a 5-speed automatic, both driven by an adaptation of old 1.8-liter 'N series' Rover K-series engine.
"The entry-level car develops 133bhp and 135 lbs ft of torque. Topmodel Turbo we drove gets 158bhp and £ 158 m and SAIC said it will hit 60 mph in 8.5sec before going to the highest speed of 130 km / h.
On the road, feels strongly MG6 suspended but it works well. This engine is suffering from a bit of turbo layer below 2500RPM, but it is time to 6750rpm redline. The car has good stability and peace of mind, body and tolerated by the bends and driving in the middle of the curve in speed crashes without accepted.
Ride comfort and refinement, can be improved. On our test drive, see the dashboard rattles in our test car is a problem exacerbated by the company managing MG6.
Also disappointing was a car a five-speed transmission torque converter. Sometimes it is frustrating and slow response to graves. Good six-speed manual 'box will be a necessity if you want to SAIC this car as a sporty sedan here in the UK market.
Should I buy?
Because we only tried the Chinese built model on Chinese roads, it is too early to tell for sure. Longbridge built cars could be better prepared, better equipped and able to adjust their housing set-ups tailored to tastes in Britain to make. MG6 will certainly be better in all three areas are very impressed.
But assuming that profits SAIC, offering car customers in the United Kingdom with a price that is attractive, it will not MG6 fight in Britain to sell. MG6 a car that is already good enough to compete with the built-in joint ventures between Chinese and European decision-making and can easily be competing European standard class.
MG badge on the nose, has a great potential to improve the reputation of the Chinese automotive industry in Europe.
