New MG roadster to restore brand

MG says it's still a fun, sporty brand. But with two underwhelming small cars and an acceptable SUV, it struggles to live up to its British ancestry.

But all that could soon change.

In conversation with motoring.com.au, the head of MG Motors Australia, Zhu Chao, intimated that the company has a backroom project to revive the brand's glory days.

Think MGA, MGB and MGC. Cars that made you feel good, and made your ears bleed.

A reborn MG sports car is unlikely to be rear-wheel drive, and won't be setting a new Nurburgring lap record, but the fact that MG's top brass is considering a sports car is good news for fans of the brand who lament its crossing over to the mainstream.

"We have the sort of understanding that MG is sporty and heritage is important and we're really serious about that," Chao told motoring.com.au.

He smiled when talked turned a new sports car to rival the MX-5; "I cannot talk too much today about that, but we will think about it."

Pushed on the topic of a hero car, he suggested we wait and see, agreeing that there are ongoing talks within the company to develop a halo vehicle.

But he stated that a rear-drive set-up was unlikely.

"Rear-drive actually, it's a different structure to the current [platforms]. I think it's maybe not for a car or SUV."

You wouldn't be alone if you were scratching your head or furrowing your brow while checking out the MG GS, which is an SUV with a mainstream design and features, making it about as far removed from the British brand's original ethos as you can get. But it still has the classic MG badge on its nose.

MG made a name for itself between the mid-1920s and as recently as 2010 with the MG TF (pictured) for creating engaging roadsters, but today the Chinese-owned company is focussed on becoming a global player with a conventional portfolio of vehicles.

But surely a range-topping, eye-popping sports car would be useful to promote the brand's aspirations, and to be taken seriously?

We asked Chou one last time if there would be a concept that tips its hat to the MGs of old at an upcoming automotive event -- perhaps the 2017 Shanghai motor show in April.

"Not at this stage, but we are planning it," said Chou, confirming a nice surprise for an auto show down the track.