A new version of MG Motor 海角视频’s MG6 is aiming to replicate the success of the car-maker’s MG3 supermini.
The launch of the latest MG6 comes on the back of a successful year for MG in 2014, which saw it lay claim to being the fastest-growing automotive brand in Britain.
Its 海角视频 sales increased by 361 per cent from just 513 cars in 2013 to 2,326 in 2014 and much of that was attributed to the universally well-received MG3. The firm has also seen a 57 per cent increase in first quarter sales for 2015.
Now the Birmingham-based car-maker is hoping that trend will continue with its heavily face-lifted MG6.
As well as featuring an extensively revised exterior and an all-new interior the car also boasts a number of engineering enhancements.
Crucially the petrol-engined version has been dropped altogether in favour of diesel and perhaps more pertinently the price has been cut by several thousand pounds in a bid to persuade potential buyers to put the car on their prospective ‘shopping list’.
The price reduction is in part designed to see the car compete in the C segment against family-friendly hatchbacks like the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and Skoda Octavia.
MG say their car comes better equipped than any of its rivals when compared on price while also delivering an exhilarating drive.
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They are also emphasising the fact it offers a diesel engine, which is generally more expensive, for a similar price to a petrol one.
Though its predecessor won plaudits for its driving dynamics MG say the new version is lighter, better handling, more powerful and offers improved fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.
The focus will be almost entirely on retail buyers rather than the fleet market and MG bosses believe a competitively priced and well specified MG6 will help its expanding dealer network grow further and boost dealers’ sales.
MG’s head of marketing Matthew Cheyne said: “The MG6 marks the next step on our journey.
“Last year saw phenomenal growth and we are still the fastest growing franchise in the 海角视频.
“One of the most important things about the new MG6 is that developments are as a result of customer and press feedback.
“Customers liked the MG6 - they got very attached to them and attached to the brand.
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“The press were not always so kind but we have taken on board what they said and have improved it.
“This car is light years ahead of where the old car was.
“We have moved from the D segment to the C segment, a segment where a person spends their own money.
“If we can compete there for the retail customer that is where our growth will come from.”
Mr Cheyne said there would be a fixed price policy where the price people see in a dealership or on the internet is “the price they will pay” adding customers or dealers would not have to “haggle”.
There will be three trim levels available - T, TS and TL - with the entry level model costing £13,9995 - £3,000 less than the starting price for its predecessor. Another change sees the Magnette saloon version discontinued, with all models now a hatchback.
“Quite simply put, you get more MG for your money and you get a fantastic car,” added Mr Cheyne.
“It’s affordable, great fun to drive with the gadgets you normally pay extra for all coming as standard.
“There’s more car and more specification but you are not paying as much.”
Product manager Andrew Lowerson said the decision to go down the diesel-only route had been prompted by the sales growth seen since the outgoing MG6 was fitted with a diesel engine. Originally it had only been available with petrol power.
He added that the car’s enhanced exterior - which includes features such as sharp angle headlamps, new LED combi lights and bumpers - enhanced its “sporting stance”.
Mr Lowerson also extolled engineering improvements to the MG6.
He said: “It now offers combined fuel economy of over 60mpg, CO2 emissions of 119g/km and performance to 60mph that is half a second quicker. We have done this in part by reducing its weight by an average of 70kg.”
Mr Lowerson said MG expected the two higher specification models to be the biggest sellers, the mid-range TS model, which costs £16,195, accounting for 50 per cent of sales, with the £17,995 TL responsible for around 45 per cent.