(VIDEO) MG confirms new SUV for the UK and with Sherlock’s help it’s all elementary
BIRMINGHAM-based MG UK has confirmed it is to launch its new SUV vehicle in the UK next year.
The Longbridge company is showing off the new GS vehicle at the Shanghai Motor Show today and in a brief statement ahead of the launch it said the move marked an exciting phase in the company’s expansion.
Given the company’s Chinese ownership it is not surprising it would chose the Shanghai event for the launch as it is to this market that SAIC will be looking to become the biggest purchaser of the vehicle.
It has even employed the services of Sherlock actor Benedict Cumberbatch in a London-filmed TV advert (see below).
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“This marks the exciting debut into the medium SUV segment for MG and a further expansion of the iconic brand,” it said in the statement.
However, it has stressed that the vehicle being displayed in China is aimed at the Chinese market and is not be representative of the UK market version; which it said was currently under development and planned for launch in Q4 2016.
“Variances may include engine size and type, as well as gear box and drive train. Final specification of the UK market vehicle is currently being determined and further details will be released in due course,” it added.
The vehicle, the result of a massive investment by SAIC, closely resembles the CS concept first seen two years ago.
The vehicle has been designed by a team at MG’s design studio at Longbridge. The design team was led by MG’s Global Design Director, Anthony Williams-Kenny.
The company said in 2013 that the concept oozed “British design flair while embracing the sporting DNA of MG”.
The concept vehicle had many unique features, including headlights which had a multi-faceted ‘shard’ structure to refract light in different colours and shape from the side, but which coalesce to form MG’s trademark octagon from the front.
It said a strong horizontal emphasis had been intended to give the side profile of the vehicle a distinctive, sporty style and youthful appearance.
