MG6 saloon and hatch spotted in the UK
Previously on CCT we posted pictures of a Roewe 550 saloon with the MG6 face bolted onto it out testing in the Spanish mountains, now it appears that the Roewe 550 will go into production as the MG6 Sedan:
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- MG6 Sighted Out
The above pair of MG’s were spotted out testing in the UK, and were actually parked up in the local Asda supermarket, photos of which were later posted onto the UK MG-Rover.org fan site where they were well received.
It’s unclear what engines SAIC will install in the UK/EU versions of the MG6′s, the petrol 1.8T is sure to make a splash but as Europeans love their oil burners, it could be that SAIC might look to GM or Fiat in an engine partnership to supply diesels to the new MG range.
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The first year of MG6 sales in Europe will be only RHD hatches to be sold in the UK and Ireland. In the second year, they will have a 2.0 litre diesel developed in house by SAIC. This was reported by Guy Jones, sales and marketing director for MG-UK. At that time, the sedan will be available, and LHD models of both will go on sale, with the diesel, in selected European markets. It sounds like the petrol engines will be the 1.8 and 1.8T engines currently being sold. It’s going to be a cautious beginning, but I think that is the correct approach for them to take. The diesel option is a must for sales on the continent. Lets hope SAIC dose their homework on that one!
The first year of MG6 sales in Europe will be only RHD hatches so its not going to explode in to the market.
Love the European versions, but why did they change the front of the 550?
Because it’s an MG
Plus the Roewe is perhaps a little brash for European tastes. Love the back end of the grey saloon car, although it reminds me of the Citroen C5 saloon. Can’t help but thinking the front end looks a little narrow (but I’ll reserve judgement til I see it). A nice looking car, just hurry up with the diesels.
If the diesels are going to be in house they’d better be good to topple GM, VW or Fiat 2L oil burners. Anything less than 130 hp and smooth running in base form is a no no.
Roewe wouldn’t sell in Europe……..silly name, so they are being sensible and using MG
I am wondering if they could buy the name back (Rover).
I think it now belongs to Tata.
The theory has always been that to protect the Land Rover name
the Rover and LR brands should be owned by the same company, or licensed under strict legal protection as it was by BMW to the MG-Rover Group. Ironically, as we know, it was the Rover brand that established Land Rover. In time, the sales growth of the almighty SUV made the LR brand more important than the original Rover brand, and a great English name was lost.
IF Tata was persuaded to transfer the name to SAIC, it would have to be with the stipulation that no SUV/crossover type vehicle would be built using the Rover brand, in order to avoid confusion with the LR brand. I would like to see SAIC given the chance to move forward with the Rover brand, but my better judgement tells me that it won’t happen.
I believe Ford own the name even though Tata bought Land Rover, Ford kept the rights to the Rover name.
The name is now the property of Tata as a result of the Land Rover sale. Tata would not complete the deal without gaining control of the Rover name, and Ford no longer had any reason to keep the name, so the transfer was made. This was announced at the time the deal was completed.
No one has any idea what plans Tata has for the name, but it would seem that the name has more value to SAIC than it dose to anyone else.
Will the first year be 2010 of 2011? We also want new LHD MG’s in Holland.
If I’m not mistaken 2010 in China, 2011 UK. The UK version will have an upgraded interior. Does anyone know about what engines SAIC has in development? you know, besides the Diesel.
Production is set to begin at MG-Birmingham at the end of this year. Sales of RHD hatchbacks should begin in the UK and Ireland shortly after, probably the 2011 calendar year. By 2012 you should be able to buy LHD hatches and saloons, with petrol or diesel engines, in selected European markets. Right now, we don’t know when sales in Holland will begin, but it’s probably considered a key market, so maybe 2012.
Interesting comment from MG, “the MG6 was designed right here in the UK by the team here in Birmingham and designed for Europe – China, in fact, got a European car and adapted it for China, not the other way round.”
This quote from Guy Jones is true, but somewhat confusing. The MG6 is a derivative of the Roewe 550, that is, a hatchback version of the 550. The 550 was designed in China by a SAIC team of both Chinese and English engineers. The MG brand is the spearhead for SAIC exports, so the styling and engineering was done at SAIC’s technical center in the UK. The car will be produced in both China and the UK, with each version adjusted for local tastes. What Guy said is true, but the origin of the vehicle is very blurred at best.
My understanding is that the Roewe 550 is based on the abortive RDX60 which was in development by MGRover at the time they went bust, so the MG6′s origin’s are British.
In it’s final form, RDX60 was based on a slightly shortened R75 chassis. Guy Jones stated in the interview that the only part carried over from the R75 to the 550 was the front sub-frame. All other body and chassis components are newly designed. The UK engineers involved in this project came from MGR, TWR Engineering as well as Riccardo so the 550 has a strong British flavor that can’t be denied. The finished car doesn’t look like any RDX60 versions that we have seen so far, and that goes for both 550 and MG6.
These cars need to be exceptional to drive and own, there is a lot of competition for this for the UK buyer…