SHANGHAI MOTOR SHOW: MG's first SUV

Born-again British brand MG has previewed its first SUV and says it will be released in Australia next year.

Seen here in motor show guise at Shanghai’s Auto China 2013 extravaganza over the weekend, the MG CS concept is parent company Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation’s answer to the world’s booming compact SUV segment.

When it launched the new MG6 small car in Australia last week MG said the production version will be available in Australia in 2014, followed by the new MG3 light hatch, which also made its world debut in Shanghai over the weekend, late this year.

True to the form presented in a teaser sketch last week, the MG CS concept was designed by MG’s Global Design Director, Anthony Williams-Kenny.

Among its design elements are headlights with a multi-faceted ‘shard’ structure that “refract light in different colours and shape from the side, but coalesce to form the iconic MG’s trademark octagon from the front”.

No further information has been released, MG claiming only that it “oozes British design flair while embracing the sporting DNA of MG, an iconic brand”.

“There has been much speculation about an MG SUV and this model is expected to create a sensation among young, fashion-conscious people,” said MG. “The MG CS concept will expand the global reach of the MG brand.”

Expect the MG CS to reach production with an SAIC-developed 1.5-litre petrol engine, but whether it will be available with an automatic transmission (which both the MG3 and MG6 lack) remains to be seen.

The MG CS is the latest in a procession of all-new baby SUVs due Down Under soon, including the Holden Trax, Ford EcoSport, Nissan Juke, Peugeot 2008, Renault Captur and Honda Urban SUV, which will join the Nissan Dualis, Hyundai ix35, Subaru XV, Mitsubishi ASX, Skoda Yeti and Volkswagen Tiguan in the small SUV segment.

See more photos of the Shanghai motor show at motoring.com.au

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