Manufacturer MG Motor (SAIC Motor) Designer Anthony Williams-Kenny | Production 2010– Class Large family car (D) | |
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Also called MG 6 GT (Hatchback)
MG 6 Magnette (Saloon)
MG 6 Sedan (Thailand) Assembly Longbridge, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Laem Chabang, Thailand (CPG)
Nanjing, China | ||
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. It was initially announced in April 2009 at the Shanghai Auto Show as a 5-door hatchback/fastback and in October 2010 at Shanghai Expo as a 4-door notchback saloon model. The MG6 sold below expectations in the U.K., eventually being discontinued there in 2016 whilst continuing in other markets.
Contents
Description
The five-door fastback/hatchback, known as the MG 6 GT, went on sale in the United Kingdom in May 2011, the saloon, known as the MG 6 Magnette, went on sale on 16 July 2011. 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, with a potential for 5,000 cars per annum.
History
Like the Roewe 550, some of the development and styling of the MG 6 was done at the SAIC UK Technical Centre. The MG 6 commenced production in China in 2010 and for a brief period Partially Knocked Down form at Longbridge, UK from 13 April 2011. Since 2013, the MG 3 supermini also undergoes some limited final assembly at the same factory until 2016.
Following the hatchback 6 GT, the notchback 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 quite different from the MG 6 GT hatchback/fastback, as it has a boot rather than a hatchback.
Models
In the UK, the car was initially launched as the MG 6 but on release to the public in May 2011 as the fastback model was announced as the MG 6 GT. 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 were available with the petrol TCI-Tech 1.8-litre 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. All models are equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission, front MacPherson strut suspension and multi-link rear suspension. 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. 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.
A 1.9-litre 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. The diesel engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, and the steering has changed to an electro-hydraulic powered system. In 2014, the diesel engine was updated, reducing its CO2 emissions to 129g/km.
The MG6 was facelifted for 2015, receiving a range of exterior and interior changes including a 75 kg (165 lb) reduction in weight. It was unveiled at the Chengdu Motor Show in August 2014. In the UK, the main mechanical changes comprised an improvement in efficiency for the diesel model, and the withdrawal of the petrol version. The facelifted model can be identified by its new lights and bumpers, front and rear, and a substantially updated interior, including a new console and electronic parking brake. Models in other markets retained two versions of the 1.8-litre petrol engine.
Awards
The MG6 won the What Car? 2012 Security Award. In the Auto Express Driver Power survey in 2014 it won the 'Best Handling Award' and came 6th overall in the ‘Best Car to Own’ category. In 2016 the MG6 won 3 awards: Auto Express Driver Power Best Family Car Bronze Winner, Auto Express Driver Power Road Handling Silver Winner and The Caravan Club Tow Car of the year class winner under £17500.
Engines
The engines available in the UK for the MG6 are:
The engines available in China and Thailand for the New MG6 are:
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). Some cited lack of advertising and low perceived quality as problematic, while the absence of a diesel and an estate option were also mooted.
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. For 2012, MG sold 782 cars in the UK.
Initial UK production was projected in the range of 2000 to 3000 per annum, although these volumes were never achieved, and in 2016 MG Motor UK withdrew the MG6 from sale in the UK.
Reviews
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.
'The MG6 is now a greener proposition than ever before, but its bland cabin aesthetics are still letting the side down.'
For: Involving handling, performance, standard kit levels.
Against: Limited engine choice, poor quality interior, awkward looks.
'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.'
[+] 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.
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. 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 returned with a new driver line up of 2013 champion Andrew Jordan and Jack Goff, both drivers left prior to the 2016 season. On 8 March 2016, Triple Eight Racing confirmed that Josh Cook and Ashley Sutton would drive for the team in the 2016 British Touring Car Championship.
MG BTCC drivers to date have been: