Thread: The New MG6, Thumbs Up or Down?

After going to this year's Motor Expo, I was impressed with the new 2016 MG6. The styling was decent and did not just look like another Thai sedan. My reservations have to do with dependability. The vehicle is made in China and I am not sure what motor MG is using.

The car had many extras and creature comforts. Unfortunately, my test drive was only around the parking lot so that the salesperson could point out most of the gadgets. I had no real feel for the ride or highway noise that would be generated at cruising speed.

The MG I was looking at was the top model and looked exceptional, in my opinion. Does anyone have any opinions on this vehicles? Thumbs up or thumbs down? Cost was 1,028.000 baht.

Mutton dressed as lamb

Ya think Chass?

Chinese bought the brand plus outdated tooling when the UK company went tits up. You would be buying a new Chinese bodyshell underpinned by Old uk mechanicals. The mechanicals are the only upside. Old but proven and robust.

there’s too much excellence out there for adequacy to be good enough.


In giving the MG6 a rare positive review back in July 2013 we warned readers to ‘dismiss it at your peril’. Clearly, you’re not averse to a bit of peril, as all of you, plus nearly everybody else, duly dismissed it.

Undaunted, and buoyed by the much better-received MG3 model, MG6 bounces back with an aggressive price cut, a redesigned exterior, more equipment and a newly fettled diesel engine offering better efficiency and lower emissions. Will it be enough?

First, has the MG6 retained its impressive handling?

Yes it has. Through all the turmoil and shapeshifting that separated the death of MG from its rebirth under Chinese ownership, the British engineers never lost sight of the importance of a decent chassis. The MG6 was pliant and planted from day one, and the ‘if it works, don’t mend it’ philosophy has been applied here. You couldn’t call it sporty, but there’s a nice compromise struck between ride comfort and the ability to go round corners without forcing the kids to reprise breakfast.

What about this newly refined engine?

Who called it refined? This is MG’s own 1.9-litre diesel, which was last to join the 6 range but is now the only game in town. The work they’ve done is all about efficiency – they’ve shaved 10g/km off the CO2 figure, squeezed another 8mpg, saved a bit of weight and got the (irrelevant here) 0-62mph time down by half a second (to 8.4). All of which is impressive, and the engine is quite positive low-down, serving its 258lb ft of torque with some panache from 1800rpm. Get it up to around 3500rpm, however, and it vibrates like a pneumatic drill, setting the whole subframe buzzing like a giant mobile phone, and filling the cabin with the sound of the bloke next door cutting his lawn.

Don’t want to be too harsh – this isn’t a market segment noted for serene cabins and silent wafting. But there’s still work to do.

Luckily, the six-speed manual ’box (which I remember being quite snicky two years ago) seems suddenly less accurate than Michael Fish, so there’s no incentive to pump the revs up. Also in the debit column is the electro-hydraulic steering – it was useless before, but now seems hellbent on doing the exact opposite of what you want, veering from ‘has the column snapped?’ lightness to ‘has the steering lock self-engaged?’ heft within half a turn.

But the interior’s improved, with lots more equipment?

So they say, but I’m disappointed to report it feels less impressive than before. They’ve gone for copycat modernity, trying to channel the Koreans with bits of silvery plastic and swoopy swathes, but when you’re using sub-seed-tray plastics in grim-reaper black it feels, well, solemn. Special mention here for the bulbous steering wheel, with its half-baked buttons and a boss fat enough to house the first airbag. It adds to the claustrophia (which is odd, because this is actually a big, spacious cabin).

Credit though for the 7in touchscreen with its ‘MG Touch’ infotainment interface (standard on all but base models), and for the fact that even the entry level car gets heated seats, while higher models come adorned with a roster of baubles Audi wouldn’t be ashamed of. By that point, of course, you’ve drifted far from the vaunted £13,995 entry price and got yourself up above £18k, but that’s still substantially less than you’d pay for a similarly-specced Astra, Golf or even Octavia.

The MG6 is more handsome, isn’t it?

We think so. It’s got new headlamps, a new grille, lowered air intakes, reprofiled rear bumpers and LED daytime running lights. It would be churlish to say anything other than personal taste separates it from the market.

Verdict

You almost get the feeling that the engineers are trying to stick to first principles while the Chinese owners are banging on about value for money. A mixed message. But although the MG6 is certainly keenly priced, it’s only value for money if it’s reliable. Twice while I was driving it the MG6 futtered to an electronic halt – seemingly unable to stay afloat while so much juice was channelled to the steering on full lock. And although they’ve quite rightly ditched the extraordinary Airbus throttle-style handbrake for an electronic item, the message ‘EPB failure’ appearing from time to time on the dash did for my confidence what rain does to a parade.

I’d love to champion the MG6, I really would. But there’s too much excellence out there for adequacy to be good enough.

Specs
Price when new: £18,195
On sale in the UK: Now
Engine: 1849cc 16v turbodiesel 4-cyl, 147bhp @ 4000rpm, 258lb ft @ 1800rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Performance: 8.4sec 0-62mph, 120mph, 61.4mpg, 119g/km CO2
Weight / material: 1530kg/steel
Dimensions (length/width/height in mm): 4651/1827/1472mm


MG6 DTi (2015) review by CAR Magazine

^
So that appears to be a thumbs down.

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

The New MG6

Utter shite...

I'll take the older models - across the board.

Universally, the vehicles of the last 30-40 years are utter shit and of lesser value [all manufacturers worldwide] compared to what was available previously, yet most today slobber mindlessly over what passes as solid quality and value.

Originally Posted by thaimeme

I'll take the older models - across the board.

Universally, the vehicles of the last 30-40 years are utter shit and of lesser value [all manufacturers worldwide] compared to what was available previously, yet most today slobber mindlessly over what passes as solid quality and value.

sounds like you describing yourself Geoff. What car best describes you? A cheating VW or a rusty old Lancia? Lol

Originally Posted by chassamui

Originally Posted by thaimeme

I'll take the older models - across the board.

Universally, the vehicles of the last 30-40 years are utter shit and of lesser value [all manufacturers worldwide] compared to what was available previously, yet most today slobber mindlessly over what passes as solid quality and value.

sounds like you describing yourself Geoff. What car best describes you? A cheating VW or a rusty old Lancia? Lol

Days gone past - a FIAT guy.


Some what in your corner, Chazz - the unfortunately plight that has become the British motorcar industry. Historically, associated with famed classic style and practical quality, from convenient everyday man to decedent luxury....the list of manufacturers and models renowned worldwide.

Those days are no longer, since the need to sell and scrap the once proud tradition.

Originally Posted by thaimeme

FIAT

Fix It Again Tony

I bought a ZR 75 MG about 7 year's ago it was the 2.5ltr top of the range
It was 3 years old and I thought it was a bargain.it was without doubt the biggest load of shite I ever owned.it was an awfull car.
If they are still using the old car as a base I would steer clear and at over 1m baht it's not exactly cheap is it?

Originally Posted by Dapper

Originally Posted by thaimeme

FIAT

Fix It Again Tony

Yep....even a mechanical novice, like myself, could preform wondrous repairs!!

At one time in our recent history, Bertone had the market cornered regarding everyday practical vehicles - Europe, South America, Africa, a good portion of Asia, and everywhere else in between. Long gone to the wayside though, reflective of the Italian economy of the last several decades.

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

The vehicle is made in China

Assembled in Rayong using 50% local content.

Really? Didn't know that. Thai labor is now cheaper than Chinese labor?

it is the same for the uk versions.

they are made in china and shipped to the uk for final assembly.

and yes, it is derived from the long gone rover 75.

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

Really? Didn't know that. Thai labor is now cheaper than Chinese labor?

Prolly more to do with taxes than anything hence the local content for CKD needs to be atleast 40% (from memory).

Originally Posted by thaimeme

I'll take the older models - across the board.

Universally, the vehicles of the last 30-40 years are utter shit and of lesser value [all manufacturers worldwide] compared to what was available previously, yet most today slobber mindlessly over what passes as solid quality and value.

Politely disagree, the new cars are the best that have ever been built in terms of safety, economy and ecological sustainability, and it's not at all uncommon to buy a new car and have absolutely nothing wrong with it.

I'm old enough to remember the cars from the 70's and the ones my father bought as a child and inevitably there were numerous things that had to be re-done at the dealer within the first month of ownership, my first new car broke down on the way home from the dealer.

The old cars are better in that they can be kept running indefinitely whereas the doomsday parts and planned demise of many new cars limits their possible life. By doomsday parts I mean dealer only items that are so expensive junking the car is only rational choice, something the Germans seem to design very well.

As for MG, I think anyone who studied marketing or branding in college would roll their eyes in disgust at this branding exercise. There is no relationship whatsoever between the British cars and the current Chinese models, and probably not a single person who worked for both companies (which means no real heritage to carry over).

I hate the way they are sticking union jacks all over them.

I've seen an MG3 and MG6 broken down by the side if the road in the past two weeks.

Originally Posted by taxexile

and yes, it is derived from the long gone rover 75.

That was quite a good car




By 20th century standards!

Looks kinda like a Ford

Not terribly inspiring.

Never buy a Chinese car at half the price.