The MG Icon Concept was launched at Auto China 2012 and gives rise to the possibility of MG competing in the mini-SUV sector.
The Stephen Harper-designed car looked as good in the metal as it does in these design sketches.
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Created www.austin-rover.co.uk in 2001 and built it up to become the world's foremost reference source for all things BMC, Leyland and Rover Group, before renaming it AROnline in 2007.
Is the Editor of the Parkers website and price guide, formerly editor of Classic Car Weekly, and launch editor/creator of Modern Classics magazine. Has contributed to various motoring titles including Octane, Practical Classics, Evo, Honest John, CAR magazine, Autocar, Pistonheads, Diesel Car, Practical Performance Car, Performance French Car, Car Mechanics, Jaguar World Monthly, MG Enthusiast, Modern MINI, Practical Classics, Fifth Gear Website, Radio 4, and the the Motoring Independent...
Likes 'conditionally challenged' motors and taking them on unfeasible adventures all across Europe.
Is the Editor of the Parkers website and price guide, formerly editor of Classic Car Weekly, and launch editor/creator of Modern Classics magazine. Has contributed to various motoring titles including Octane, Practical Classics, Evo, Honest John, CAR magazine, Autocar, Pistonheads, Diesel Car, Practical Performance Car, Performance French Car, Car Mechanics, Jaguar World Monthly, MG Enthusiast, Modern MINI, Practical Classics, Fifth Gear Website, Radio 4, and the the Motoring Independent...
Likes 'conditionally challenged' motors and taking them on unfeasible adventures all across Europe.
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Lovely drawings and CGI images – there’s no doubting Stephen’s talent! Thanks for sharing them with us.
This Icon story just gets better and better.
Re 1: You’d best not see the Bejing jeep then….
Red you old critic! Hey this is an open place, email old Keith your best stuff and we can have a show down!
Anyway I see more Leaf influence than Juke (especially that rump) and a current Dodge Charger midriff. Like it or loath it, it’s far better than the inoffensive sub Proton stuff currently making the MG range up.
Erm, I’m trying to think of something nice to say…
I quite like the colour.
It sort of looks like the bastard offspring of a MINI, Porsche Cayenne, and something that Chris Bangle might have designed had he gone on a road trip with the late Hunter S Thompson.
They should call this the ‘Frankenmini’.
Is that an idrive(or similar) or clock I can see in some of the sketches along the center consule/transmission tunnel?
Absolutely horrible – almost as ugly as the Juke which seems to have been its “inspiration”. Adding MGB GT motifs is like sprinkling chopped garlic on porridge.
Revisiting this news story over eight years later, I seriously question what happened to this creative streak within SAIC, as what has been produced since then has been somewhat mediocre in styling. Very disappointing for a fallen name.
All of the images show left-hand drive cars, none with the steering wheel on the right, was the primary market for MG for lhd markets of Europe or even the USA.
How does the car compare as a rival to the Mazda MX5 ( Miata in the USA ).
My first impression this is a project of Frank Stephenson, who led the styling team at BMW USA for the the BMW MINI. He was at McClaren from 2008 to 2017. The MG has the MGB lineage for the bonnet/front wing and the strong rear haunches of his MINI and Fiat 500 designs