Clive Goldthorp
AROnline’s regular readers may recall that Nanjing Automobile (Group) Corporation (NAC) originally intended to re-launch an apparently reverse-engineered version of the Honda Civic-based MG ZS as the MG5 in China. However, that plan was ditched either before or shortly after NAC became a subsidiary of SAIC Motor Corporation Limited (SAIC Motor) on the 1st April, 2008.
SAIC Motor has instead developed the AP platform for use in the C-segment – that already underpins the Roewe 350 saloon and will also be used for an all-new MG5 hatchback. AROnline understands that the car, which has been codenamed the AP12, will be powered by SAIC Motor’s 15S4U engine which features VTI-TECH and produces 105bhp at 6000rpm with maximum torque of 100lb ft at 4000rpm. The standard transmission will be a five-speed manual with multi-mode automatic option.
The latest photographs of the prototype MG5 to emerge from China clearly show that the car has now reached an advanced stage of development – our sources there reckon that an MG5 Concept car might be unveiled at next April’s Auto Shanghai 2011 and that production versions should reach the showrooms in China before the end of 2011.
[Source: China Car Times]
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This looks like a game-changer – well done to SAIC Motor for having the courage of its convictions and developing this car.
Dare I ask: does this one have any MGR “DNA”?
@Richard Moss
Well, on the basis that neither the MG3 nor the MG5 will almost certainly have no MGR-derived engineering, the answer to your question must be an unequivocal no.
However, that said, I guess we will all only be able to make informed judgments about whether or not any of the new range of MGs are true to MG’s core brand values when we have seen and driven the final UK-spec versions of the cars…