MG, one of the most iconic British brands in the past got bought over by SAIC Motor in 2006. One of the earliest model they produced was the MG6, a C-segment contender that was introduced in 2010. Just recently at the 2015 Bangkok International Motor Show, MG Sales Thailand has showcased their latest model, the MG3 to the Thailand market.
Mr Wu Han, President of SAIC Motor said, “At the Bangkok International Motor Show we bring our latest cars, the new MG3 Hatchback and Xross and the MG6 Turbo Fastback and Sedan, for everyone to see, touch and feel.”
Powering the MG3 is a 1.5-litre DOHC, four cylinder VTI-TECH engine with 104 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and a total of 135 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. The only transmission choice offered is a 5-speed SeleMatic AMT automatic with Sport Mode and manual gear selection.
Buyers in Thailand can choose between 2 body styles, namely the Hatchback and the Xross. Design was done by MG’s Birmingham Design Centre in the United Kingdom. The Xross variant has a slightly more rugged approach, and ground clearance is 10 mm more than the Hatchback (168 mm vs 158 mm). The Hatchback model gets LED daytime running lights (DRL) that the Xross doesn’t. Unlike its competitors, the MG MG3 gets a sunroof (standard across the range).
Moving inside, the MG3 sports a simple interior layout. The single DIN head unit has Bluetooth capability, USB/AUX input and steering mounted audio controls. The high spec MG3 1.5X gets black leather seats with red stitching, while the Xross gets black and orange with white and orange accent.
Safety wise, all variants of the MG MG3 gets Curve Brake Control (CBC), Hill-Start Assist System (HAS), Electronic Brake – Force Distribution (EBD), Traction Control System (TCS), Motor Control Slide Retainer (MSR), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Ultimate Stiffness Design (USD), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA) and dual front airbags as standard fitment. Pretty impressive indeed.
The entry-level 1.5C has a starting price of 479,000 baht (~RM54,000 before tax), while the mid-range 1.5D retails for 509,000 baht (~RM57,000 before tax). The range topping 1.5X retails for 559,000 baht (~RM63,000 before tax). For the MG MG3 Xross, buyers will have to fork out 595,000 baht (~RM67,000 before tax).
What do you think of this little MG? Could it do well here in Malaysia? It should be competing against the likes of the Perodua Myvi and Proton Iriz locally. A few years back, Federal Auto has signed an MoU with SAIC for the possibility of bringing MG into Malaysia, so it may just be a matter of time before it arrives here.
MG MG3 live photo gallery
MG MG3 studio photo gallery
