CAR News

The MG ZERO concept car has been unveiled to the world’s media today as one of the stars of the Beijing Automotive Show, now one of the world’s most important automotive events.

The MG ZERO Concept car has been developed by MG Global Design team, led by British MG Design Director Anthony (Tony) Williams-Kenny, based in Birmingham.

At around 4m in length, the MG ZERO concept previews the design direction of the brand and demonstrates how MG can expand into this high- volume sector of the market. MG ZERO reflects the latest trends in the market for vehicle size, styling and technology and is designed to show how MG will offer products that will appeal to a wide audience across the global market.

MG Zero also demonstrates the design and engineering capabilities of SAIC by showcasing a number of innovative features. The bold interior has clean and simple lines with high contrast flashes of accent colour. It uses the latest technology touch screens to allow occupants to interact with the world around them and features a striking ‘floating console’ design around the driver.

The high-tech materials are draw inspiration from ultra high-performance sports equipment and there is highly innovative use of interior lighting features to create real emotion in the cabin. The bold red-coloured illumination adds a touch of drama.

Commenting on the exterior style, Design Director Tony Williams said ” This concept shows a bold, individual soul. The bonnet is formed around the famous octagonal badge, the graphics flow into striking lamps and the large lower grille completes the confident, sporty character. The body-side has a strong shoulder, a dynamic scalloped feature in the doors and flared arches to give a wide stance and strong road presence. The feature lines have been designed to give a strong relationship to the wheel arch demonstrating the fun nature of the cars dynamics.”

MG ZERO also explores the integration of the latest communications technology in the vehicle and in addition to the interior systems, it features a fun communications system on the exterior of the rear!

Guy Jones, MG Motor UK Sales and Marketing Director summarised by saying “MG Zero is crucial to the development of the brand globally, as it gives clear direction for the future beyond the current products. We are all proud to see our British-designed vehicle wearing the MG badge creating such an impact in Beijing. With the MG TF back in production in Birmingham, sales increasing and the MG6 coming at the end of the year, the MG ZERO has come at the perfect time to build further awareness and interest in the brand here in the UK.”

Later this summer, a unique MG TF is being launched to mark the 85th Anniversary of the MG brand. The MGTF 85th Anniversary will be a great looking car with fantastic handling.

Available in three special colours overlaid with striking graphics and a new design of alloy wheel, from the outside the car looks sensational. The cabin is stunning too as the specialist graphics continue with monogrammed sill finishers and gear knob which complement new stylish Aubergine leather trim and a high quality ICE system.

Apart from the stunning look, the new TF 85th Anniversary model also benefits from a ride and handling package that’s tuned to make this car unique to drive. Bilstein suspension, Eibach anti roll system, lower ride height, an all new anti torsion pack and a modified wheel set up on Rimstock ‘Twisted Pepper’ style wheels give the 85th Anniversary edition a grown up feel and very precise handling at high speeds.

Jack Safiruddin, continued, “The TF 85th is a real driver’s car and is an extremely appropriate model to mark the anniversary of an iconic brand like MG. The combination of looks and handling will appeal to enthusiasts and prospective new customers alike.”

This car will be launched at £15,664 on the road which, again, after the Government’s scrappage scheme deduction will make the TF 85th a competitive £13,664.

The TF LE500 is now priced at £16,055 following the Government’s announcement to cut VAT from 17.5% to 15%.

The TF LE500 comes with a host of features like hard top, rear parking sensors, leather seats and air conditioning as standard, providing a very high level of specification at an extremely competitive price.

With numerous technical and cosmetic innovations, the LE500 comes with a higher performing engine, a new interior, revamped exterior styling and updated suspension, drive train and braking systems. Whilst maintaining the fundamental look and feel of the immensely popular TF, the LE500 has been extensively re-engineered and is hand built at Longbridge.

Gary Hagen, Director of Sales and Marketing said ‘The TF LE500 already represents great value for money and now the recent reduction in VAT makes it an extremely compelling proposition for customers’.

MG Motor is proud to announce today, the international launch of the MG6, the first all new MG motor car since the launch of the MGF sports car.

Guy Jones, Sales and Marketing Director for MG Motor UK said, “This is a milestone day for the iconic MG brand and for the UK automotive industry. MG has begun the international launch of an all new model that has been designed and engineered here in the UK, for the global automotive market. Currently we only build and sell the mid-engined TF sports car here in the UK, but we can now look forward to expanding the range of MG products.”

The launch takes place at the Guangzhou Auto show in China and is the beginning of an exciting new global future for the MG brand. The launch in China, the world’s largest automotive market begins the international roll out of sales of MG6 which includes the UK. Sales in China will begin in January and plans for the UK and other markets will be released during 2010.

It was also announced today that production of MG6 for the China market will begin at the brand new state of the art factory in Lingang, China in December 2009. It is also planned to commence production of MG6 at the Birmingham plant in the UK before the end of 2010.

The world famous MG brand has never had such a bright future as it starts to expand global sales with an exciting new range of products.

About the MG6

The MG6 is a sporting five seat fastback model, designed to capture the character of the MG brand and bring something different to the volume market.

MG6 Key Dimensions

Length: 4651 mm
Width: 1826 mm (without mirrors)
Height: 1480 mm
Specifications for the UK and European markets will be released at a later date.

MG Brand Corporate Identity

The MG6 proudly displays a new modernised version of the famous MG octagon badge for the first time. This new design is planned to carry forward on to all new MG models.

This new branding features in the new corporate identity for the launch in China which also uses the Morris Garages naming. This reflects the pride in the history of the brand, the need to communicate this in new markets and is a clear differentiator for the MG brand.