An MG6 actually worth buying?

[caled]

I've probably been a bit of a noob about this, but I haven't seen these before.

I, and Im fairly sure a few of you too, have been looking at the MG6 and thinking "hmm, it's ok from the front, but that rear is minging".

Front...

http://motoringpress.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/mg6-3.jpg

Minging rear...

http://www.skiddmark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/MG6_6.jpg

I, and assumedly a few others, had pinned hope that the saloon would be better looking...

http://www.thetycho.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/mg6-gz-1-458x343.jpg

http://www.aojauto.com/file201001/xuchen/101028/mg6saloon02.jpg

Ok, a bit better, but still a bit.... bland. But at least this time its in proportion to the rest of the car (why, exactly, on the hatch is the bumper suspended feet above the ground?)

So, I was beginning to think "well, perhaps the MG5 would be better looking..." and the sneak previews and concepts of that look ok.

But in my searching, I came across the original 550 (what the 6 is based on)

http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/2008/04/17-roewe550-design-story/Roewe-550-rendering-1-lg.jpg

... thrilling.

But then I came across a version called the 550xt. It has the same engine (they do, seemingly, have only 1 engine in SAIC, but at least we know the diesel is coming, and the 1.5 +/- turbo for the smaller cars, and there have been rumours of a 2L turbo off the distance), which would be a let down as it looks... well... (dare I say) damned good. This in my opinion would be a good candidate for the more powerful engine, and perhaps even a spiritual successor to the ZS and ZT lines? Give this the UK spec facelift, bigger wheels, MG suspension and generally improved looks (especially at the front, but for God's sake, leave the rear alone!)

Anyway, I'll stop banging on and show you what I'm talking about.

The 550xt

front (which will probably be the MG6 front on UK spec)

http://www.thetycho.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/roewe-550-xt-1-458x300.jpg

The tasty rear end

http://www.thetycho.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/roewe-550-xt-31-458x321.jpg

http://www.thetycho.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/roewe-550-xt-2-458x233.jpg

http://espaciocoches.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Roewe-550-XT-3.jpg

http://www.blogcdn.com/es.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/0img_3846.jpg

http://www.sinaimg.cn/qc/photo_auto/chezhan/2010/32/19/38/17621.jpg

Finally, a possible new version of an MG that I could actually see myself in...

[zsserbia]

Liking the 550... I came across of some road test in Spanish on youtube. Car looks smashing inside too. There's another video of the 550 1.8t about 0-60 acceleration where the engine sounds like suzuki hayabusa, very promising. The MG6 only the saloon version.

[stamford]

They don't do much for me I'm afraid, sit too high and nothing to shout 'out look at me I'm the new MG'. Seen a few Roewe's in China and they look bland, remove the badge and they all look like other marques. Now the 550 looks the part but it's a Roewe not an MG. It does make you wonder who controls the styling and makes the decision on which one suits best. Certainly not one styled for the UK MG buyer.

[zsserbia]

They don't do much for me I'm afraid, sit too high and nothing to shout 'out look at me I'm the new MG'. Seen a few Roewe's in China and they look bland, remove the badge and they all look like other marques. Now the 550 looks the part but it's a Roewe not an MG. It does make you wonder who controls the styling and makes the decision on which one suits best. Certainly not one styled for the UK MG buyer.

This one's got an MG badge http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqY6YdWsROI&feature=related

I think they have many marketing issues, today it's not just "Offer it and they will buy it."

Can't help the far east legacy either, must look a bit Chinese... and it must look a bit cheap in order to actually be. Just hoping it has some of the old MG driving abilities and spirit unlike Hyongsung or Kia or Hyundai or other Chinese and Koreans...

[caled]

To be fair, all they have to do to the MG6 saloon is give it a half decent kit to make it look better, and the ride height always is much higher for the china spec cars (btw: would your ideal ride height be the car in your sig?).

Give the MG6 saloon the skirts and rear spoiler and diffuser from the 55xt, then the MG6 'tein' gills and front splitter, then youve got a rather nice, sporty looking saloon car, perfect for an Xpower/'Z' edition MG6. I might have a play around in photoshop tonight, see what I come up with. They already have all the bits, they just need to put them all on the same car.

Granted, it would look a bit japanese, but thats not really a bad thing IMHO.

[caled]

Just to illustrate my point about a good bodykit, its just bits of plastic that sit between this...

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j282/HMS45/Rover%20400MkII%2045%20MG%20ZS/rover_45_2004_03.jpg

and this

http://a279.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/89/l_88bee513650f5dcf345e0dcb8b47e1f6.jpg

[stamford]

To be fair, all they have to do to the MG6 saloon is give it a half decent kit to make it look better, and the ride height always is much higher for the china spec cars (btw: would your ideal ride height be the car in your sig?).

Give the MG6 saloon the skirts and rear spoiler and diffuser from the 55xt, then the MG6 'tein' gills and front splitter, then youve got a rather nice, sporty looking saloon car, perfect for an Xpower/'Z' edition MG6. I might have a play around in photoshop tonight, see what I come up with. They already have all the bits, they just need to put them all on the same car.

Granted, it would look a bit japanese, but thats not really a bad thing IMHO.

Not that low, that's my track set-up ;) but raise mine by say 20mm then it'll look mean and purposeful! It needs some beefing up. To me an MG is what brings a mundane car out of its shell and want to show off.

[h8_2lose]

Imo I have been really disapointed with the new MG's. When they first saw the zed cars at the motorshow in glasgow about 10 years ago I thought wow :w00t: they look great I want one! After seeing these new one think they look a bit bland and boring. Think these would of more been the Rover versions than MG cars as not really a sporty look about them

[zsserbia]

Like it or not, Chinese are going to take advantage in the future of their cheap and massive production in automotive industry as well...

[Maxxed_Ross]

the UK car was supposed to be getting a rear spoiler, so hopefully it will appear in time.

I really like the back of that 550XT... so combined with the MG6 front you might have a winner there!

[Southside_ZS]

The pics you've added are of the Chinese spec 6. Uk spec has bigger wheels and lower. Its been reviewed in loads of mags now, both Evo car and Fith Gear have both given the MG6 4 out of 5 stars

As for the 550 thats a Roewo not an MG

UK spec 6

http://www.evo.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_864/car_photo_432148_25.jpg

http://www.evo.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_864/car_photo_432139_25.jpg

http://www.evo.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_864/car_photo_432142_25.jpg

http://www.evo.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_864/car_photo_432121_12.jpg

http://www.evo.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_864/car_photo_432124_25.jpg

[zsserbia]

That's more like it...

[h8_2lose]

Still pretty bland looking imo

[caled]

The wheels and the stance look better, and the colours pretty good too.

But that rear end is still not working for me. I dont like sportbacks, well, Ill let the 65 ford mustang off with it.

[Nats Whiskas]

ooooh me likes :) looks much better than the chinese version imo.

[skyblueads]

On the strength of the 100+ mile roadtest I gave the 6 on it's launch, I'd say the MG6 is ALREADY worth buying!

The handling and steering is pitch perfect, it's a wonderful blend of ZS and ZT. I'd buy one in a heartbeat. Read my roadtest in next month's MG Enthusiast, there's loads more detail than I can post here, and some great pics of my regal red tester...

[Maxxed_Ross]

http://www.evo.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_864/car_photo_432142_25.jpg

is it just me, or do the huge door surfaces make the wheels look tiny? :sick:

It's a mean looking car from the front, and I quite like the inside - but the fat side profile really ruins it for me. It just looks a heavy car

Hopefully the saloon will hide that a bit better

[zsserbia]

It seems like modern cars got to have massive doors and small mirrors. Don't know if this is required for any practical/safety reasons but ain't pretty IMO. It just makes them heavy and need much stronger engines to really get them going...

[Dan1971]

I like it ....

[mattie007]

Alot of car for the money.
Needs to be in the BTCC!

[AldoR]

Well i dont like it it reminds me of a renault:chop: witch makes me mad

[Maxxed_Ross]

Needs to be in the BTCC!

well actually.... :shutup2:

[BUCKYDEVIL]

Ive just had a call from MG to ask if I want an hours test drive at my local dealer.
.....YES.....
booked in for the 14 of may which will be the launch day for the new MG dealer in Stirling.