News: MG reveals GTS, a rival for the Nissan Qashqai
China will be first to get the sporty compact SUV; it's due in Britain in 2016
THE REJUVENATED MG brand, which launched the MG6 saloon in 2011 and followed up with the likeable MG3 supermini in 2013, has unveiled its first family SUV. The model will take on popular 4×4-style cars such as the Nissan Qashqai and Ford Kuga.
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Early previews of the high-riding soft-roader came in 2013, when the CS concept was revealed at the Shanghai motor show. Now, official images of the five-seat SUV have been unveiled by MG’s parent company, Shanghai Automobile and Industrial Corporation.
The production version of the GTS is a swish-looking vehicle with design features borrowed from the MG3, MG5 and MG6 models.
The chunky SUV measures up at 4,500mm in length, 1,855mm in width and 1,675mm in height, which puts it in the ring with not only the Kuga and Qashqai but also the Kia Sportage, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, although the MG is expected to undercut them on price.
Chinese models will go on sale in May, with a 2-litre direct-injection petrol engine that develops 217bhp and 258 lb ft of torque. The 0-62mph sprint is reported to take around eight seconds, which makes this a far quicker proposition than the Qashqai.
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Power is handled by a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and customers will have the choice of front-wheel or four-wheel drive.
A lower-powered 1.5-litre petrol engine, capable of 168bhp, will be offered to British customers, alongside a diesel unit, when the MG GTS goes on sale here in 2016.
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