MG joins the SUV ranks

MG has revealed its first ever production SUV in a series of official photographs.

First previewed by the CS concept in 2013, the stylish new five-seater eschews the numeric nomenclature of more recent MG models for the generic name GTS – as confirmed by officials from parent company Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) at the Guangzhou motor show back in November.

The GTS is planned to reach Chinese showrooms next May with an Australian introduction tentatively earmarked for early 2016. Pricing has yet to be confirmed, although Chinese sources suggest the latest in a five-strong range of contemporary MG models will be priced to compete directly against the likes of the Hyundai ix35, Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai.  

The production version of the GTS was styled under the guise of MG design boss Anthony Williams-Kenny in a collaboration between the company's Shanghai, China and Longbridge, England design teams.

The first ever MG SUV adheres closely to the look of the well received CS concept with an up-to-date appearance that features a clear family resemblance to the existing MG3, MG5 and MG6.

Key styling elements include a simple grille featuring the traditional octagonal MG badge as its centre piece, heavily adorned two tone front bumper, wildly contoured bonnet, trapezoidal shaped headlamps, sheer surfacing, structured flanks, blacked out pillars and angled tailgate.   

At 4500mm in length, 1855mm in width and 1675mm in height, the GTS is 90mm longer, 35mm wider and 15mm taller than the Hyundai ix35.

While earlier speculative reports suggested the new SUV was based on the same platform at the latest Ssangyong Korando MG says the GTS rides on a new scalable SUV architecture developed in partnership with parent company SAIC. Suspiciously, though, it boasts the same 2650mm wheelbase as the monocoque steel structure that underpins the Korando. This is 10mm longer than that of the Hyundai ix35.

MG has confirmed one engine for the GTS, although others are planned to follow according to officials from parent company SAIC's UK engineering headquarters in Longbridge. The in-house developed turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder direct injection petrol engine delivers a class competitive 164kW and 350Nm of torque.

On the initial GTS model pictured here drive is channelled through a standard six-speed dual clutch gearbox, with buyers set to be offered the choice of either front- or four-wheel drive.

In four-wheel drive guise, the new MG is claimed to accelerate from 0-100km/h in "around 8.0sec". However, more detailed performance and economy claims are yet to be made public.

Following its introduction to the Chinese market in early 2015, MG is also expected to offer the new GTS with a more affordable turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder direct-injection petrol engine producing 165kW and 250Nm.  

Also planned for selected markets, including Australia, is a diesel variant of the GTS. It is earmarked to receive the same turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder common rail unit already offered in various MG models, where it delivers 110kW and 350Nm of torque.