MG exploring sports car concepts, eyeing US return

MG Motor, now part of China's SAIC along with Rover Group successor Roewe, is considering a sports car in addition to long-term plans for a return to the U.S. market, according to Edmunds. The company is in the early stages of exploratory work on a sports car following the opening of a new design studio in Shanghai, a sports car that is expected to mirror the classic MGB mold, if it is determined that today's MG could in fact field a worthy competitor to the Miata.

The starting point of design exercises when it comes to an MGB descendant is likely to be the MG Icon SUV concept, which was unveiled at the 2012 Beijing motor show. The concept remixed familiar MG styling cues with a crossover body style, though it was not meant to preview a production vehicle. Still, the MG Icon concept proved to be one of the highlights of the how as far as Chinese brands were concerned, because with it, MG was able to channel MGB design language and incorporate it into a decidedly modern body style. MG, which keeps design offices in China and design and engineering facilities in Birmingham, U.K., certainly has the ability to create a roadster based on the platforms available to SAIC at the moment, though a globally competitive roadster that could take on segment all-stars is another thing altogether.

Before you start saving up for an MGB successor (that isn't the 1993-1995 MG RV8, still four years away for us) be aware that an MG source told Edmunds that an MG sports car has not officially made its way into the MG product plan, and that a return to the U.S. market is a long-term goal for now.

For the last few years MG has had to make do with slightly altered versions of Roewe cars, which have lagged behind a bit when it comes to innovation. That's quite understandable, as Roewe and MG are still getting back on their feet. The two brands have seen only a modest amount of success in China, and now face a need to transition from the old Rover Group architecture to all-new platforms.

By Jay Ramey