MG5 spy pictures show China’s first possible hot hatch

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China got into the hot hatch phase late last year when the Golf GTI hit the market, it was followed up by the Skoda Octavia VRS (actually just called RS in China due to V being unpronounceable by most)  and other car makers are readying their own little cannonballs as the Chinese media likes to call hot hatches. The MG5 was shown in concept form at the Shanghai Auto Show this year and is expected to be production ready at the Guangzhou Auto Show later this year, as SAIC like to run their stands with one new production ready car and also a concept. From what we have learned the 5 will becoming with 1.5L, 1.5T and a possible 1.8L engine, the 1.5T will be the range topper and will put the car up against models such as the Buick Excelle which itself is made by Shanghai-GM and carries a 1.6T as well as 1.8L engines.

The MG6 has been largely critized for low quality dashboard plastics in the West, but not so much in China, however the MG5′s interior looks to have been vastly improved which shows that SAIC are paying greater attention in some areas.

The platform that the MG5 rides on is the same as the Roewe 350, and is expected to give birth to a varying range of vehicles including a wagon and a crossover SUV in the next two years.