MG has revealed its new GTS SUV in a series of official photographs.
First previewed by the CS concept at the Shanghai motor show back in 2013, the new five-seat SUV is planned to go on sale in China next May with a UK introduction earmarked for early 2016, according to officials from MG parent company Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation.
The production version of the GTS was styled under the guise of MG design boss Anthony Williams-Kenny, in a collaboration between the companys Shanghai and Longbridge design teams.
The first ever MG SUV adheres closely to the look of the well received CS concept with a highly contemporary look featuring a clear family resemblance to the recently introduced MG3, MG5 and MG6.
Key styling elements include a simple grille featuring the traditional octagonal Morris Garages badge, heavily adorned two tone front bumper, trapezoidal shaped headlamps, sheer surfacing, structured flanks, blacked out pillars and angled tailgate.
At 4500mm in length, 1855mm in width and 1675mm in height, the GTS is 73mm longer, 46mm wider and 8mm lower than the Volkswagen Tiguan.
While earlier speculative reports suggested the new SUV was based on the same platform at the latest Ssangyong Rexton, MG says the GTS rides on a new scalable SUV architecture developed in partnership with parent company SAIC. It has a wheelbase of 2650mm 46mm longer than that of the Tiguan.
MG has confirmed one engine for the GTS, although others are planned to follow according to officials from parent company SAICs UK engineering headquarters in Longbridge. The in-house developed turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder direct injection petrol engine delivers a class competitive 217bhp and 258lb ft of torque.
On the initial GTS model pictured here, drive is channeled through a standard six-speed dual clutch gearbox, with buyers set to be offered the choice of either front- or four-wheel drive. In four-wheel drive guise, the new MG is claimed to accelerate from 0-62mph in around 8.0sec. However, more detailed performance and economy claims are yet to be made public.
Following its introduction to the Chinese market in early 2015, MG is also expected to offer the new GTS with a more affordable turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder direct-injection petrol engine producing 168bhp and 184lb ft.
Also planned for selected markets, including the UK, is a diesel variant of the GTS. It is earmarked to receive the same turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder common rail unit already offered in various MG models, where it delivers 148bhp and 258lb ft of torque.
LINK from the last news http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=730097&goto=newpost
