The MG5 – On show at the Shanghai Auto Show
The MG5 has finally been unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show – We were all guessing as to what the MG 5 would actually be, and it just turns out to be the old MG ZS. Still, we think it looks cool, cooler than the Focus sports, at least in the Chinese market.
If Nanjing MG are churning out the old MG range as their own, what will the MG3 be? Any guesses?
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Thats a fantastic looking car – I’m off for a test drive tonight!
Welcome tob MG cars !!!!!
MG 3 = streetwise?
Hi,
I’m write from Paris, France.
During some years, i am very passionate from MG Rover s’ cars
I am vey happy to see MG is not dead.
Tell me please when new MG cars will be export in Europe ?
I thought the MG ZS (now MG5) was built on Honda’s Accord platform. And I also thought Honda took all the blueprints from Longbridge and destroyed them. I wonder what platform this is riding on? Perhaps a shortened MG7 platform? Or maybe a stretched MG3 platform? Any ideas?
:
The hatchback ZS was based on and owned by Honda but the ZS saloon was an MG engineering project and therefore owned by them – now by the Chinese. It’s no surprise then that there is no hatchback variant of the MG5 and its doubtful that there will be, unlike in the UK where you could get the high performance ZS180 in either body format.
The body kit on this car was designed by British designer Peter Stevens (not Honda or BMW whilst at MG) despite the BMW like headlamps. He also created the Subaru Imprezza P1 (UK special Pro Drive car) and the McClaren road car. So its got some pedigree.
P
Nanjing MG probably found a way around using the Honda components – it seems they feel confident enough to push this out into the international eye, they must feel comfortable with the IPR situation.
Reponse a arnaud :
Va sur ce site c’est une mine d’info sur MG rover
http://www.rovermg.fr/index.php
This is a show car, there are employees around prevent you having a look at vin code and nameplate, it’s very possible shifted from UK or assembled by hand by some parts made in uk.
btw, isn’t this a very old car, especially the platform? why NAC show it?
Reponse a Bartouse, c’est moi qui poste les commentaires sur http://www.rovermg.fr
Cela ne reponds pas a ma question sur la MG5 qui -normalement- ne devait pas etre relancée, Honda ayant repris l’outillage et interdisant d’utiliser la base de la 45.
Le plan de Nanjing prévoyait :
la MG3 (ex 25)
la MG5 (new car)
la MG7 (ex 75)
Encore plus étonnant car c’etait d’abord la 7 et ensuite la 3 qui sortait en 2007.
La 5 était pour 2008
Bizarre cette stratégie
I looked closely at the ’5′ at the show and from what I could make out it appears to be an export ready LHD ZS180 saloon maybe left at the factory upon closure and the show staff told me that they didn’t ‘have the keys’ so couldn’t unlock and reveal all!!!No badges were on the show car except the obvious MG ones!
Just to put the record straight for some the ZR was a Civic clone and the ZS was a Ballard clone and not the Accord as some think. Yes it is true that Honda removed all the jigs etc for the 45/ZS and destroyed them which would mean it impossible to recreate hence the ’5′ at the show being either already assembled or assembled from parts left behind
This platform has had more comebacks than just about anything, why – it is dynamically excellent – Hope it sells well in China and the parts are readily available in the UK to keep those of us lucky enough to own one continue to do so.
The ZS was based on the Civic model before last, the MG ZR was developed by rover and was not based on a Honda model;
It was the Rover 600 that preceeded the 75 that was the last Rover model to be based on an Accord. The 80′s Rover 200 model (which had nothing to do with the later car,) was based on the Honda Ballade. Full info on all the cars can be found here; http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/index.htm
So what chassis did the MGZR/Rover 25 use then? It wasn’t a bespoke Rover chassis? Does it not have it’s roots in a honda chassis of some sorts? I agree it was a uniquely rover model though.
The 25 and ZS hatchback were based on a Honda Civic from back in 1995 and this in turn was based on a 1991 Japan only car the Domani. The 25/ZS saloon was built from the ground up by MGR and is now owned by the SAIC group.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as the Honda chassis was very well designed from discoveries made in motorsport – it has double wishbone suspension for example which is the same as a formula one car but very rare in modern saloons due to cost. Consequently all ZS models – even the 120 BHP version handle well and the ZS180 is truly stunning – it feels like a Subaru despite having front wheel drive. The other massive advantage it has over any car in the class is a six cyclinder twin cam 24 valve engine which is aluminium and the lightest V6 in the world.
Put this together and you have a car that may be a little old but can still kick the butt of a modern Ford Focus ST, Clio and give a Honda Type R a good run for its money – plus in the UK they are half the price of said cars with parts, upgrades and servicing still widely avaialble.
Add an ITG induction kit and JANSPEED exhaust and you have 200BHP in a very light, agile and stiff saloon car. Do the math.
P
Its nice to see the ZS being built once more. Iown one of the last British built ZS of the line in 2005. Its a top pf the range 2.5 24v V6 quad cam.
IT is a fantastic looking car with the rear high wing and performance to match its looks with a 0-60 of 7.2 and a top end of 140MPH. The car is now coming up to three years old with 0 faults. And is quite a rare birb even in England its home land. love it.
Actually it is very much civic.
Actually I am fortunate enough to own a late model ZS180 and it’s a cracking motor. I hope they put the big wing on the back again (mine has it).
Nothing less than the very latest new Ford Focus RS with 300bhp would tempt me out of the “Modern Gentleman” ZS, possibly the greatest ever MG-badged car. A dynamic tour de force, it’s touring car for the road. I call mine “howlin’ wolf”.
Tiff Needell called the ZS “The best front wheel drive car I’ve ever driven”.