MG SUV confirmed for Oz in 2014

SALES for the just-reborn MG brand in Australia could really take off in mid-2014 when the Chinese-owned British brand’s first SUV arrives.

To be previewed by the heavily sculpted CS concept at the upcoming Shanghai motor show, the as-yet unnamed SUV, which is longer than the 4651mm MG6 that has just gone on sale here, will become flagship of the range.

At the other end of the spectrum will be the MG3 light car, which will arrive in Australia before the end of this year, bringing with it a new entry level price point, although MG Motor Australia cannot yet supply indicative pricing.

There are no current plans to bring the Volkswagen Golf-sized MG5 hatchback to this country, although MG Motor Australia marketing manager Zhenyu Li told GoAuto it may be brought in after the SUV arrives in June or July 2014.

For now, the MG6, which sits between the large end of the small car segment and the small end of the mid-sized segment, is on sale now from MG Motor Australia’s sole dealership in Sydney, priced from $22,990 plus on-road costs.

However Mr Li expects the mid-range $24,990 Comfort and top-spec $27,990 Luxury variants to sell best.

From top: MG6, MG3 and MG5.

He said the Luxury specification is the most popular in China, Britain and South Africa, and expected this will also be the case in Australia, where these variants will receive the strongest sales push.

Until the end of the year the MG5 will remain a manual-only proposition, with a five-speed automatic on the way and a six-speed auto due for arrival next year.

Mr Li said the 110kW/350Nm 1.9-litre diesel engine available in Europe will not be offered on the MG6 here, making the 118kW/215Nm 1.8-litre turbo-petrol the sole engine option.

MG has released only sketches of the CS SUV concept ahead of its unveiling at Shanghai, with technical details expected to be revealed when the car emerges from under its silk sheet.

Mr Li said the aggressive looking SUV rides on a different platform to the MG6.