The first images of a new MG SUV have been released. Due to be launched in China mid 2015, the MG GTS will go on sale in Europe – and possibly SA – in 2016.
The first incarnation of the vehicle – the MG CS concept – was unveiled at the Shanghai motor show in 2013, and this first-ever MG SUV clearly carries styling cues from the MG3 B-segment hatch and MG6 sedan – not surprising as it’s the work of MG design boss Anthony Williams-Kenny in a collaboration between the company’s Shanghai and Longbridge design teams.
According to MG, the GTS is based on a new scalable SUV architecture developed in partnership with MG’s Chinese owners, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC). To give you an idea of its size, it will have a wheelbase of 2650mm – 46mm longer than the VW Tiguan.
At launch, there will only be one engine available – their 162 kW/359 N.m, 2,0-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol – but SIAC have confirmed other derivatives (likely a 1,8-litre diesel and a 1,5-litre four-cylinder petrol) will follow.
There will be front- and four-wheel-drive versions with drive is channeled via a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox
