MG5 leaks out as MG6 starts production

The MG5 - expect the real-deal to be less flowing.

We’re back to the Shanghai Motor Show again, with news of what was once an iconic British Marque continuing its revival under Chinese SAIC.

Ahead of an expected reveal of theGolf/Focus-sized MG5 at Shanghai later this month we’ve got sketches of what MG’s hatch will look like. But they’re not a rendering by an Interweb Photoshop  jockey, they appear to be the real deal straight out from SAIC.

Despite these being official renders, expect the real MG5 to be a lot less slick than this. That said, we do expect it to at least appear to be a rival for the Golf and Focus. Designed by Tony Williams-Kenny – who started out with Mitsubishi, went to MG Rover and ended up with SAIC by default – it should look contemporary and appealing.

Whether the Chinese petrol lumps it sport will actually make it competitive in Europe remains to be seen. But good to see SAIC pushing on with new MGs.

Talking of which, the first MG to be produced in the UK for six years – and the first new MG for more than fifteen years – the MG6, will start to roll off the production line next week at Longbridge.

A slightly odd-sized car – it’s as if MG has produced a D-Segment car from a decade ago – the MG6 comes with a 133bhp 18. litre or 156bhp with a turbo version of the N-Series lump which is basically a tweaked Rover K-Series.

The emissions and economy are not exactly cutting-edge and the lack of a diesel (due in 2012) won’t help. But it’s good to see cars coming off the production line at Longbridge once again.

Even if they are more or less built from CKD.

By Cars UK