The MG X-Motion has been unveiled at the Beijing motor show, previewing a new SUV set for the Chinese market. But it could also be heading for the UK.
The X-Motion combines many details evolved from the E-Motion electric sports car concept shown last year with the chassis of the Roewe RX8 – this is a large SUV sold only in China by MG’s sister brand, also created when SAIC bought the assets of MG Rover in 2005.
A production X-Motion could also use the petrol engine of the RX8, a 2.0-litre turbo petrol unit of 224hp. MG adds that an electric powertrain is also in plans for the model.
Major features of the X-Motion include a bold visual design intended to present a muscular appearance, new grille and LED headlamp designs and a host of technology including full connectivity.
The brand dubs the car as ‘the MG Range Captain’ but is not currently saying whether the production version of the X-Motion will go on sale in the UK as a larger sister to the GS SUV launched in 2016. However, the brand is known to have ambitious growth plans and the popularity of SUV models on the UK market could prove attractive.
MG Motor UK sales and marketing head Daniel Gregorious describes the unveiling of the X-Motion in Beijing as further evidence of the emergence of MG as a serious player in the global market. “We’re yet to decide whether X-motion will come to the UK, but we can already see that MG’s design language and value-for-money approach are finding favour with British buyers who are choosing MG in ever-growing numbers,” he adds.
MG this week announced a £500,000 investment in its UK training and distribution facilities at Longbridge, Birmingham. The brand has seen its UK sales increase by 67% in the first quarter of 2018.
