New MG7 sports saloon to take on 3-Series

Wrong competitor

Against BMW? Are they serious? Not a chance!
Against Ford and Vauxhall, still out of its league!
Peugeot and Renault, yes.
It looks good, but a chassis and engine line-up from Vauxhall will not make up for its build quality and to be frank, Chinese built cars are rubbish. Worse than any American car.

By lucasworld on 8 December, 2010, 9:40pm

Wild speculaltion this by Auto-SUN-Express. What has happened to the MG6 - Supposed to go into production at Longbridge months ago, endless previews and presentations but absolutely no sign whatsoever of the car actually going on sale. If the so called MG7 really exists, can I predict it will go on sale as a 2020 model year car?

By hampson10 on 9 December, 2010, 11:12am

Travesty

Oh, if Autoexpress says it's the long awaited rebirth of the MG marque, ready to take on BMW's 3 series... then we're expected to believe this. It's a travesty, hardly anything more than "badge engineering". Well, perhaps one should leave out the engineering part.

By voyager on 9 December, 2010, 11:25am

Why Bother?

It's an insult to the MG brand. How possibly a GM engineered car built in China and looks like a Golf be a credible MG. Plain daft! And based on that who's going to buy it anyway?

Maybe the best way forward for SMC is to sell the MG brand to Jaguar - Land Rover (TATA) and have MGs built back in Britain.

By terryxp on 9 December, 2010, 11:40am

Itza Hema Geee...Ahhh soow

MG take on the BMW 3 series?
What substances are your journalists on?
Now whats that old saying "youcan put lipstick on a pig but..."

By toycollector on 9 December, 2010, 11:42am

MG? Without being a killjoy.....................

SAIC or whoever are going to do a lot more work on this MG7 before they place it on the European market! Its mmore or less a reworked 2 door MG6 - nothing more!

Its time that those at SAIC take a very hard look at these cars before they seriously put them on the European market and start expensively promoting them.

In their present form these MG6 and MG7 will not sell here in significant quantities because they simply do not have the style or design of much waited for new MGs! This is fact and if they try I will be saying 12 months down the line - I told you so!

Wake up MG - Wake up SAIC - re-appraise these projects! Its not too late!

By vandenplas4litre on 9 December, 2010, 11:50am

Very Promising.

Well putting everyone obvious prejudices aside...this car is based on the Insignia underpinnings, which are actually very good. Good enough for them to also be used on GM's premium US marque, Buick. As for Chinese build quality being crap - well that statement is far too widely used these days, considering that pretty much every consumer item is made in China now - including all of Apple's products, a very high proportion of high quality Designer goods, (Prada, D&G etc) - so whether or not it is crap will have nothing to do with it being made in China. Probably better to actually judge the final product. SAIC have some pretty big ambitions globally, I seriously doubt they will launch a product that doesn't fit those ambitions. Oh and for anyone either still mourning the loss of Rover or ridiculing their old products - get over it. SAIC have a huge and thriving design centre based in the UK - this car will be British designed and styled, something we're still rather good at - and something that very few other car manufacturers can boast. They deserve some support, or at the very least an open mind until they either succeed or fail based on the merits of the product rather than the prejudiced listed so far here..!

By steedie on 9 December, 2010, 12:01pm

Very Promising.

Well putting everyone obvious prejudices aside...this car is based on the Insignia underpinnings, which are actually very good. Good enough for them to also be used on GM's premium US marque, Buick. As for Chinese build quality being crap - well that statement is far too widely used these days, considering that pretty much every consumer item is made in China now - including all of Apple's products, a very high proportion of high quality Designer goods, (Prada, D&G etc) - so whether or not it is crap will have nothing to do with it being made in China. Probably better to actually judge the final product. SAIC have some pretty big ambitions globally, I seriously doubt they will launch a product that doesn't fit those ambitions. Oh and for anyone either still mourning the loss of Rover or ridiculing their old products - get over it. SAIC have a huge and thriving design centre based in the UK - this car will be British designed and styled, something we're still rather good at - and something that very few other car manufacturers can boast. They deserve some support, or at the very least an open mind until they either succeed or fail based on the merits of the product rather than the prejudiced listed so far here..!

By steedie on 9 December, 2010, 12:11pm

Badge Engineering???

MG's have been badge engineered since the early '60's and the few cars that weren't simply mass market saloons with twin carbs and a different grill were built on horrible prosaic under-pinnings. The Midget was basically MORRIS 1000 under the skin and the iconic MGB sat on Austin Cambridge/Morris Oxford under-pinnings. The '80's MG's were all Austins...Metro's, Montegos and Maestro's. Having said that, Brit engineers can REALLY get silk purse punch out of sows flaccid bits...The MG Metro Turbo I had went like a marble fired from a catapult!
MG has always been a sporting car built around humble origins right back to the days when Morris Garages were tweaking Austin 7's!
This one will be a car, much like other cars...It'll compete in a market against similar cars. It'll be cheaper than the German stuff, more expensive than Ford and that'll be it...

By guildbass on 9 December, 2010, 12:44pm

sorry

sorry. but it just is nonsense. dream on MG.

By julianlee on 9 December, 2010, 12:53pm

He who laughs last

Many of the readers and writers will not remember the early 60's when a bunch of joke look alike cars from Japan hit the shores. The Datsun joke (which sun?) springs to mind. I believe that Datsun became Nissan and dont they build a GTR or something. Oh dear my memory is not what it used to be. Confucious say play long game to win. Mock them not!!

By xrt665 on 9 December, 2010, 1:09pm

ha ha ha ha

Yet another fantasy. If it ever materialises, this car can only compete at the bottom end of the market - it needs to be incredibly cheap and highly specced to establish a presence. In ten years' time perhaps they could think about aiming at BWM - if they deliver a reliable value for money product first.
Can't see it happening somehow.....

By penncv3 on 9 December, 2010, 1:09pm

Inspiration...

Bored of ripping off designs from their old parent BMW, they've now moved on to copying old Vauxhalls.

Who says the Chinese aren't original?

By fiddle01 on 9 December, 2010, 1:18pm

I agree with Sreedie!

How can people be so prejudiced, when they haven't even seen the finished product! I remember having quite prejudicial views myself, having been a long term company car driver. I was shocked at how underwhelming, a VW golf was, after driving Astras, Escorts, Orions, and Sunnys for a few years. I was utterly mystified as to what was so special, about a BMW 3 series, having driven Cortinas, Sierras, Cavaliers, and various Nissan and Toyota offerings. Granted these German marques are well put together....but then so is almost every car manufactured today...they wouldn't survive in the marketplace otherwise. I have a German friend who has equally similar view, especially when you consider that many Ford and Opels are built in Germany,and some BMWs are now built in the Eastern block. Each to their own view, and good luck to those who are willing to pay the premium, for what amounts these days to a perceivedly 'posh' badge..... I've had Merc.s, to Astras, Jags. to Escorts, RangeRovers to Maxis, and all bar none were worthy cars in their own way, and believe me all bar none had their faults too !...and what do I drive now? a 3year old Mondeo with almost 200k on the clock....still sings every day and starts on the button.
Let's see what the 'rebirth' of MG has to offer before we shoot them down in flames....some of you might be surprised.

By pete_jal on 9 December, 2010, 1:32pm

I've seen this before!!!

If anyone else has a good Photo manipulation package on their PC, get a 3 series picture and one of the pictures above and superimpose one on the other..

AE are saying it is the new BMW 3 Series beater? Well, what they jhave done is mock up a make believe picture by using the 3 Series! They have given it a Vauxhall front and rear too, but the rear is more a cross between the Insignia and the 5 Series.

When you grow up, you will have to start reporting REAL stories, AE!!!

By Rumour on 9 December, 2010, 1:42pm

A big threat to...???? 'Who

Well, this one looks good, I seem to remember Auto Express showing us one last year and it was just awful, but before we can condemn it we must wait and see what the engineering, paint and build quality is like.
I have no doubt that the GM sourced chassis and engine will be very good, but but most importantly will it handle? And will it be delivered with those dangerous Chinese tyres.
It's laughable to think anyone could put an unknown car anywhere near the same league as top or mainstream European cars for comparison, untill proved otherwise the only thing in common with a European car might be the dimensions.
The big point is can we call it an MG? Until it has its own chassis and engine built in house it's an MG Kit Car.

By Bobbybev on 9 December, 2010, 3:33pm

Looks like a bland Vauxhall

First thought "it looks like a Vauxhall" and then in the second paragraph I read it's based on the Insignia chassis. Perhaps that is no bad thing. Next thought is that this car doesn't bring anything new or distinctive to the market, nothing really wrong with it, it's just a bit bland in this day and age and it just doesn't look like a modern interpretation of something MG should be turning out. Why bother?
Go back to the drawing board and produce a modern MG the way Jaguar have now managed to produce a modern Jaguar that looks the part.

By adrianhi on 9 December, 2010, 3:42pm

Chinese Build Quality is NOT the Problem! Its the poor design which is not MG!

The Chinese can and do build cars comparable with those built in Europe. This is fact and anyone that says this is not so is talking through his hat and is ignorant of the facts!

I have been often inside SAICs Shanghai GM Plant in Pudong, the VW Plant there also, Geely Automotive in Ningbo and the Brilliance BMW Factory in Shenyang. All can and do build first class products!

The problem with these China MGs is the terrible bland design! Of course its no problem to use the GM Insignia platform - in fact its a big advantage. But the body they put on top of these platforms should be strikingly modern and MG with a smart grill like the old MG Magnette ZA / ZB!

Rather like how SKODA took the bland Golf platform and put the super Octavia body on it with VW hardware! There is still time for Longbridge/SAIC to correct the design of these cars now - its just a matter of the right management decision to say - do it!

Over to you SAIC chairman Hu Maoyuan - please tell MG to redesign now!

By vandenplas4litre on 9 December, 2010, 4:32pm

Are people in this country dumb?

Seriously this is a photo shop, only the Roewe is real. Don't believe anything until MG have officially announced it, and why can't MG rival BMW? Is it because it is owned by Chinese and has an MG badge on it? Only in the UK do we not support our industry and we seem to think that foreign is superior when it just isn't true. New MG's are designed, developed and assembled in the UK, Chinese can make good cars for e.g SAIC VW's or SAIC GM, allot of people are just racist towards the Chinese. SAIC have sorted the HGF problem on the K-series and the engines are casted in a top quality facility for ultimate quality not like the LPS casting that MGR used to do. SAIC now own 1% of GM so that is why they can use the platform also MG Birmingham will be developing turbocharged green engines for GM cars for e.g Vauxhall so they may share engines as well. This car is a Photo shop like I said and it is more likely to rival Ford and VW etc not BMW as MG's will be FWD not RWD, use your brains people. Autocar have tested the UK spec MG6and said its best in class to drive unlike Auto Express who drove the Chinese spec so do some research before you talk rubbish people.

By StevenR25 on 9 December, 2010, 7:01pm

Hmmmmm.......

Well, I'm not going to get involved in the arguments that others have mentioned here except to ask one very simple question which is directed at AE, which is: Where the Hell did you come up with "evoking memories of the MG ZT"!? The MG ZT was a tweaked Rover 75, which actually was a nice looking car even with the body kit, but I really can't see how this "MG7" even hints at that. There is nothing I can see in this Photoshopped image which remotely even makes me think: "Ah, there are hints of MG ZT here", complete bullshit. Sorry, but I really have to wonder whether AutoExpress are actually living in the same universe as the rest of us.

As for the Rowewe YUCK!!!

By nick7 on 9 December, 2010, 9:10pm

Nice designs, but...

They lack individuality. What is happening w/ the designers?

By rosendo2 on 9 December, 2010, 9:45pm

sir glyn

rovers have rover engins

By scoth on 9 December, 2010, 10:33pm

I can't see it.

The MG looks better styled than the 2011 BMW 3 series, but that is it.
Far from competing with the BMW, The Audi A4 and the Mercedes C class, it will be competing with the Skoda Octavia, VW Jetta, and Seat Exeo. All of which are far better quality than the GM fare.
Hyundai and Kia are also now competing on build quality if not desireability, so where does that leave MG? It had better be £3000 cheaper than anything else in the sector. Call it something else, other than an MG please.

By hedgehopper on 9 December, 2010, 10:42pm

I stood next to one yesterday in China

As an English ex-pat living and working in China let me assure you of something.....
China are TODAY like Hyundai and Kia were 10 years ago.

Chinese built MG rivalling BMW.......NEVER. Chinese built MG rivalling Hyundai - maybe in 5 years. Chinese built MG rivalling Japanese - maybe 10 years!
When I saw this car parked next to me yesterday, the only thing I noticed was the badge....the car was, well, just bland!

By parkerdixon1 on 10 December, 2010, 1:47am

instead ...

why are we looking at chinese mgs and rovers and getting uptight! the question is really, why doesn't bmw make some sharply styled triumphs, rileys and austin healeys. they own these marque names yet sit on them and do nothing, even in the light of the super successful mini experiment. complain to the krauts and forget about what badges the the chinks put on their cars.

By timeaway on 10 December, 2010, 8:31am

Reality check time

calm down everyone.

First, this is just a bit of speculation by AutoExpress. The Roewe picture appeared on chinacartimes.com last week as a rendering as to what the Roewe 750 (ex Rover 75) replacement MIGHT look like. From this, AE has further speculated as to what the MG equivalent might be like.

Contributors to this thread are judging a car even before it has been designed - why get so uptight? You can't judge a car before you've seen it in the flesh.

Now, with the MG6, you're right it has suffered delay after delay. Reception to the car at the MPH show on the whole seemed positive, though comments on various chatrooms (Macdroitwich et al) are questionning build quality. Indeed, they also quote rumours that build quality has given it poor NCAP safety results and the launch will be delayed again. I have no knowledge that this is correct, but even as a rumour this can be damaging.

The 6 looks the part in the flesh but less so on the page.

In the days of MGRover, they were forever coming up with renderings and photoshopped images saying "take a look at what's around the corner." this was a problem made worse by A/E who have to fill the pages with speculation as they don't have enough quality info and facts to fill a weekly publication.

MG must learn from the mistakes they made throughout the 80's to 2005. if they are to make something of their UK and European realaunch they cannot leave anything to chance; price, quality, desirability, and definitely do everything to avoid being a laughing stock. they only need to read threads like this to see the uphill task they face.

Good luck to them; they'll need it

By ricbelcher2 on 10 December, 2010, 8:54am

I think VWs copyright lawyers are on the phone to MG as I write.

By minicoopers69 on 10 December, 2010, 9:34am

Posible coming new ROEWE and MG models?

Why not take a look at China Car Times?

http://www.chinacartimes.com/2010/12/01/is-this-the-next-generation-roewe-750-and-mg7/

It provides very interesting reading

By vandenplas4litre on 10 December, 2010, 4:39pm

Seriously guys use your brain...

@ parkerdixon1, minicoopers69, timeaway
THIS CAR IS A PHOTOSHOP!!!!!!!!!!!
MG grills are not the same shape as this, MG grills have a octagon shape on the badge, look at the ZERO and 6 and you will see, better luck next time AutoExpress lol.
http://www.aronline.co.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/MG6-Silver-front.jpg
Rover is dead and buried, TATA own the Rover name so the name will not be used, the engine is not a K-series, its a TCI-TECH which only shares the sandwich design and the block so the rest is all new.
parkerdixon1 how have you possibly seen this car when its NOT REAL, don't talk rubbish and the UK spec MG6 id on par with Ford and Vauxhall but not VW but no one beats VW quality, it has been designed, developed and assembled in the UK and it has designed to reach NCAP 5 star safety rating, all this rubbish is just racism and is the past, go and driver your 'German' made BMW and not support 'British' jobs, its the way forward.....NOT!!!!

END of Rant!!!!

By StevenR25 on 10 December, 2010, 4:49pm

Look fellas. MG Rover has died, unfortunately - and I say that as someone who loved Longbridge cars. MG is to be re-born under new owners, who have pumped tens of millions of pounds into the West Midlands car plant, and undoubtedly there is more to come. MG is a proud and historic marque and I wish it all the best as it opens a new chapter in its life.
We should be far more enthusiastic, even if you aren't an MG fan, about the fact that what now seems to be coming out of Longbridge are almost entirely new cars, and not facelifts or re-modelled Japanese designs.
Even if you hate MG or Longbridge to the extent that some people seem to, you should be more enthusiastic about he prospects of MG. Not to get too deep into politics but on an economic front, our previous government screwed our engineering and manufacturing industries to the pips (and not just motor manufacturing). I know that becasue I live in a town where today these industries account for just 63% of our local economy, down from over 80%.They racked up so much debt through the madness of strategically favouring the City and pushing up the value of Sterling to such a level that our exporters could not compete abroad. The only way of paying off that debt and brining more sustainalbe long term economic prosperity to Britain is to export our manufactured goods and improve our GDP, which will benefit everyone.
MG Rover as was, always had some of the finest design engineers in the business but under previous owners, either had no money to persue the designs or as in one case, take the advanced designs and build the car under the parent brand. What is happening now is some of the best news for British engineering and exporting, and yet there are still people who, without qualification or real research, seem to take joy in trying to knock the product down - it is as though they are the sons of Jeremy Clarkson and Quentin Wilson, and the like - rediculous.
I'll tell you summat. I bet that when the MG6 is launched in the Spring, there will be no car on the roads that has been tested and re-tested as much. The future of the brand in Britain and Europe depends on the new car(s), and SAIC are deadly serious about establishing themselves in the West. And, if MG say that they will bring out a car that will compete with BMW, then they will. What shape or form this will take really is up to some conjecture at the moment and no doubt, the image here is based on the most basic of information - don't forget that no motor manufacturer that is so far away from final tooling and production would issue anything meaningful for fear of competition. There WILL be a whole new family of MG models coming out over the next few years - MG6, MG ZERO, MG7 and a replacement MG TF, and who knows what else. These really are exciting times for enthusiasts.
As for me. I have made my mind up and I'm buying an MG6 as soon as they are released for sale, and I've got the money to do it already. You can say what you want about MG Rover. All I can go off is a experience of owning cars from Longbridge and it's been nothing short of impressive, in terms of reliability, build quality and that unique undefinable feeling of pure pleasure.
I can't wait...

By sclaret on 11 December, 2010, 12:02am

Look fellas. MG Rover has died, unfortunately - and I say that as someone who loved Longbridge cars. MG is to be re-born under new owners, who have pumped tens of millions of pounds into the West Midlands car plant, and undoubtedly there is more to come. MG is a proud and historic marque and I wish it all the best as it opens a new chapter in its life.
We should be far more enthusiastic, even if you aren't an MG fan, about the fact that what now seems to be coming out of Longbridge are almost entirely new cars, and not facelifts or re-modelled Japanese designs.
Even if you hate MG or Longbridge to the extent that some people seem to, you should be more enthusiastic about he prospects of MG. Not to get too deep into politics but on an economic front, our previous government screwed our engineering and manufacturing industries to the pips (and not just motor manufacturing). I know that becasue I live in a town where today these industries account for just 63% of our local economy, down from over 80%.They racked up so much debt through the madness of strategically favouring the City and pushing up the value of Sterling to such a level that our exporters could not compete abroad. The only way of paying off that debt and brining more sustainalbe long term economic prosperity to Britain is to export our manufactured goods and improve our GDP, which will benefit everyone.
MG Rover as was, always had some of the finest design engineers in the business but under previous owners, either had no money to persue the designs or as in one case, take the advanced designs and build the car under the parent brand. What is happening now is some of the best news for British engineering and exporting, and yet there are still people who, without qualification or real research, seem to take joy in trying to knock the product down - it is as though they are the sons of Jeremy Clarkson and Quentin Wilson, and the like - rediculous.
I'll tell you summat. I bet that when the MG6 is launched in the Spring, there will be no car on the roads that has been tested and re-tested as much. The future of the brand in Britain and Europe depends on the new car(s), and SAIC are deadly serious about establishing themselves in the West. And, if MG say that they will bring out a car that will compete with BMW, then they will. What shape or form this will take really is up to some conjecture at the moment and no doubt, the image here is based on the most basic of information - don't forget that no motor manufacturer that is so far away from final tooling and production would issue anything meaningful for fear of competition. There WILL be a whole new family of MG models coming out over the next few years - MG6, MG ZERO, MG7 and a replacement MG TF, and who knows what else. These really are exciting times for enthusiasts.
As for me. I have made my mind up and I'm buying an MG6 as soon as they are released for sale, and I've got the money to do it already. You can say what you want about MG Rover. All I can go off is a experience of owning cars from Longbridge and it's been nothing short of impressive, in terms of reliability, build quality and that unique undefinable feeling of pure pleasure.
I can't wait...

By sclaret on 11 December, 2010, 12:08am

Look fellas. MG Rover has died, unfortunately - and I say that as someone who loved Longbridge cars. MG is to be re-born under new owners, who have pumped tens of millions of pounds into the West Midlands car plant, and undoubtedly there is more to come. MG is a proud and historic marque and I wish it all the best as it opens a new chapter in its life.
We should be far more enthusiastic, even if you aren't an MG fan, about the fact that what now seems to be coming out of Longbridge are almost entirely new cars, and not facelifts or re-modelled Japanese designs.
Even if you hate MG or Longbridge to the extent that some people seem to, you should be more enthusiastic about he prospects of MG. Not to get too deep into politics but on an economic front, our previous government screwed our engineering and manufacturing industries to the pips (and not just motor manufacturing). I know that becasue I live in a town where today these industries account for just 63% of our local economy, down from over 80%.They racked up so much debt through the madness of strategically favouring the City and pushing up the value of Sterling to such a level that our exporters could not compete abroad. The only way of paying off that debt and brining more sustainalbe long term economic prosperity to Britain is to export our manufactured goods and improve our GDP, which will benefit everyone.
MG Rover as was, always had some of the finest design engineers in the business but under previous owners, either had no money to persue the designs or as in one case, take the advanced designs and build the car under the parent brand. What is happening now is some of the best news for British engineering and exporting, and yet there are still people who, without qualification or real research, seem to take joy in trying to knock the product down - it is as though they are the sons of Jeremy Clarkson and Quentin Wilson, and the like - rediculous.
I'll tell you summat. I bet that when the MG6 is launched in the Spring, there will be no car on the roads that has been tested and re-tested as much. The future of the brand in Britain and Europe depends on the new car(s), and SAIC are deadly serious about establishing themselves in the West. And, if MG say that they will bring out a car that will compete with BMW, then they will. What shape or form this will take really is up to some conjecture at the moment and no doubt, the image here is based on the most basic of information - don't forget that no motor manufacturer that is so far away from final tooling and production would issue anything meaningful for fear of competition. There WILL be a whole new family of MG models coming out over the next few years - MG6, MG ZERO, MG7 and a replacement MG TF, and who knows what else. These really are exciting times for enthusiasts.
As for me. I have made my mind up and I'm buying an MG6 as soon as they are released for sale, and I've got the money to do it already. You can say what you want about MG Rover. All I can go off is a experience of owning cars from Longbridge and it's been nothing short of impressive, in terms of reliability, build quality and that unique undefinable feeling of pure pleasure.
I can't wait...

By sclaret on 11 December, 2010, 12:13am

what a joke

Are you woking for the motor press? Are you coming from Mars? You idiot have no bloody idea what you are talking about. You really should be fired!!!!

By stylinggarage on 13 December, 2010, 1:40pm

It's still a Kit Car

Ok we are looking at an artists impression, but when the car is a real one it will not take a lot of effort to make it better looking than any bland angular BMW or a VW etc.
The point is, that by having a meagre 1% stake in GM, and so using GM parts does not give the car MG credibility.
Until the car is designed and built in England with an in house engine and parts; it's a Kit Car !!!

By Bobbybev on 14 December, 2010, 11:27am

@Bobbybev

Hang on a minute Bobby, as far as I understand it, the cars have been designed and are being built in Britain...

By sgtgrash on 14 December, 2010, 4:39pm

Excellent-looking vehicle. MG should be proud of themselves.

By AKM6062 on 15 December, 2010, 11:04am

Lets be realistic

Ok SG :-)
The chassis is Vauxhall, that could be designed anywhere in England or Germany or both, the engine is based on the Buick Regal probably an American designed engine, and body drawn in Longbridge loosely copied from the MG ZT, which is not much of a recommendation, as nothing eye catching or world shattering ever came out of longbridge as far as I remember.
If the car is to be assembled at Longbridge again that certainly wouldn’t make me desire one, as I remember the rubbish cars they used to produce.
I am surprised that with so little a stake of 0.97% in GM, SAIC gets access to so many quality parts, (there is something else a-foot, don’t you think?) SAIC might call it an MG, but really it's a hot potch of parts sourced mainly from around GM, so it could be called a GM, not (MG) but lets be realistic it’s a Kit Car.

By Bobbybev on 16 December, 2010, 12:51am

sir glyn

quentin willson says it good, he has driven it,

By scoth on 26 December, 2010, 1:39pm

Anyone for Tennis? :)

Ok Bobby, it's my serve... hehe

The engine may 'appear' in a Buick, but it is a vastly re-engineered version of the Rover K-Series motor, which is a British design. By the way, the Chinese have improved vastly on the old K-Series and word coming out of China says it is extremely reliable.

Secondly, the all new MG's are designed, in Longbridge, by a British design team.

The Rover 75 was arguably the best car Rover ever built, it certainly drove well and from within its cabin, gave you the sort of driving environment you get from Jaguars and BMW's for far less money. It was a very nice place to be. The MGF and MG TF had their faults, but in general were pretty cars that delivered fine, if not mind-blowing performance, especially when fitted with the K-Series 1.8 VVC powerplant.

SAIC have demonstrated they have a lot of faith in Longbridge. After all, it would have been far more sensible, and not to mention, more economic, to have produced the new MG range in China. So, the fact that they have invested huge sums of money into revitalising Longbridge demonstrates that they care for MG's heritage.

Give SAIC time and I'm sure they will do right by MG, but for the moment they need to get the Marque into the marketplace as cost effectively as possible.

By sgtgrash on 8 February, 2011, 9:54am

MG will need a bigger factory

GO FOR IT MG ... it's better looking than a BMW 3 seizes ,,, No point in dreaming just do it

By liverpool on 11 June, 2011, 9:15pm

NOTHING WRONG WITH AIMING FOR THE TOP!

maybe some BMW drivers will be a bit P'd the MG7 looks better..and it hasn't a Hitler mustache for a grill like the BMW

By liverpool on 12 June, 2011, 5:15pm