MG has thrown the covers off its new MG7 fastback in its newfound home market of China.
The MG7 sits above the MG6 sedan in the brand’s domestic market range and debuts a new, more refined style for the British-turned-Chinese brand.
With dimensions of 4884mm long, 1889mm wide, and 1447mm tall, the MG7 is slightly smaller than a Toyota Camry and more equivalent to the size of a Mazda6.
It is said to lean into the sporty characteristics of the MG brand, not really currently seen on its export offerings, the MG3, MG ZS, and MG HS we receive in Australia. To that end, the MG7 has an athletic silhouette, aggressive quad exhaust pipes, large alloy wheels and muscular bumps over its rear wheel arches.
Powering the MG7 is a new-generation 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 192kW/405Nm, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. MG says the MG7 will sprint from 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds.
In a rare performance addition to a Chinese domestic model, the MG7 has an electronic limited-slip differential on the front axle. It also has electronically controlled adaptive suspension. The spoiler is also adaptive, automatically deploying at speeds greater than 100km/h.
Other standard equipment for the high-spec ‘Black Label’ launch variant includes LED head- and tail-lights, large alloys in various designs, and a 14-speaker Bose audio system. It arrives in a hero emerald colour, designed to invoke the spirit of british sports cars like Jaguars and Bentleys.
Impressively, the MG7 has a 33.0-inch display which comprises both the multimedia screen and digital instrument cluster. It is said to also have augmented reality features for its head-up display.
The car also seems to feature the same new-generation interior design elements as the MG4 electric hatch.
MG has been quiet thus far on new models to become available in Australia beyond updated versions of its popular MG3, ZS and HS. Its next local launch will be the updated ZS EV, which will adopt the new design language of the ZST as opposed to the older and still concurrently-sold standard ZS. It will receive a boost in standard equipment and driving range when it arrives in the coming months.
The brand has said in the past it has no interest in importing examples of the MG6 which is currently only built in left-hand drive for the Chinese market, nor does it want to import the fully-electric MG5 station wagon which is currently available in the United Kingdom.
The brand says this is because sales potential of sedans and station wagons is limited, and it would rather commit resources to expanding its range of SUVs, particularly hybrids and electric cars.
It is seen as more likely the brand will import the MG4 fully electric hatch, which is closest in its design and intent to cars like the Nissan Leaf, Volkswagen ID.3, or Cupra Born, although with higher performance aspirations than the Leaf in particular.
MG’s electrified range is set to face tough competition in the coming years from fellow Chinese rivals BYD and Great Wall as both brands look to capture a piece of the poorly-served entry-level EV market in Australia.
Great Wall is looking to launch its Ora EV sub-brand, which consists of small retro-styled hatchbacks and small SUVs, while BYD looks to field a competitive small SUV, Tesla Model 3-rivalling sedan, and a cut-price entry-level hatch.
Stay tuned as we watch all things MG, as the brand fights to hold on to its position in Australia’s top ten automakers.
Keyword: Is this the best looking modern MG yet? MG7 debuts in China as Toyota Camry and Mazda6 rival with slinky new fastback design