SECTOR: Lower-medium   PRICE: From €14,560   FUEL: 4.6l/100km   CO2: 119g/km

It may only be available in the UK at present, but MG is planning to launch into the compact SUV sector in the next year and MG must have wider markets across Europe in its sights.

It’s 10 years since the original British MG, along with the rest of the Rover Group, collapsed. We won’t go into the details of the Chinese acquisition that followed, but the company, now owned by SAIC of China, perhaps not surprisingly targeted the UK market first. Production is based in the former MG plant in the UK from kits imported from China, but the cars are designed and engineered in the UK. Only two models are currently on sale, the B-segment MG3 and the C-segment MG6, which originally went on sale four years ago. The GS made its appearance at the recent Shanghai Show and this compact SUV could spearhead a broader move into Europe when it arrives.

With Euro6 emissions looming, MG has revised the MG6 and carried out a mild facelift. This has involved a substantial range revision, resulting in a starting price reduced by €3,500, giving a new entry price for the S model of around €14,560. That may be good news for buyers of new models, but is unlikely to be well received by owners of earlier models and may not help residual values either.

All models are powered by a four-cylinder 1,849cc turbo-diesel engine, which produces 150hp at 4,000rpm and 350Nm of torque at 1,800rpm. Combined EU fuel consumption is 4.1l/100km with carbon dioxide emissions of 119g/km, a reduction from 129g/km for earlier models. A six-speed manual transmission is the only option.

The revised MG6 is available in three trim options, S, TS and TL. MG says the car is on average 75kg lighter and performance is slightly brisker than before. Exterior differences include a revised front and rear profile, with LED daytime running lights as standard, as well as updates to the dashboard and instruments. An electrically activated handbrake is now also standard equipment, as are heated front seats, alloy wheels and an electronic differential to enhance traction. Equipment levels are generous, given the pricing and that continues with the more expensive TL and TS models.

MG is targeting mainly retail customers, but there is some fleet business particularly for the mid-spec TL models which gain leather seats, rear parking sensors, automatic headlamps and windscreen wipers, cruise control and automatically dimming interior mirror.

The car feels well assembled and although interior materials don’t have the quality appearance of mainstream brands, they seemed to be robust and the design is pleasing.

The 1.9-litre diesel engine does not yet meet Euro6 emissions limits, like many European rivals, but it is a refined unit and performance feels similar to other C-segment models with 150hp. The six-speed transmission is user-friendly and MG claims that the car is better to drive than before. Both ride and handling are quite acceptable. The car certainly offers good value for money.

Verdict:

We can’t see fleets forming a queue yet, but it presents a good value for money proposition. European design and engineering is undoubtedly a key asset.