MG CONFIRMS an electric sports car will arrive by 2020
MG is going back to its (pre-Chinese ownership) roots, with confirmed plans to deliver an electric MG Sports Car, about the size of a Mazda MX-5, by 2020.
Geely has done a terrific job with Volvo, allowing Sweden to innovate and deliver a range of cars which stand shoulder to shoulder with brands like Mercedes and BMW, and yet still deliver real individuality. SAIC, on the other hand, hasn’t done quite so well with MG.
Rather than innovate and create in the UK to deliver a new range of MG sports cars, SAIC has gone the route of selling re-badged Chinese models as MGs. And it’s not been an overwhelming success.
But it seems MG is going back to MG’s roots, and has plans to build a new sports car – confirmed by Shao Jinfeng, head of design, speaking to Australian media in Shanghai – which will be heading in to MG showrooms in the next two years.
Said to be about the size of a Mazda MX-5 (a car inspired by MG in the first place), the new Sports Car was previewed by the MG E-Motion Concept last year (pictured above) and will come with an electric powertrain. Yes, it’s an electric MG Sports Car.
The E-Motion Concept came with butterfly doors and sub-4 second 0-62mph promise, as well as a range of 300 miles and 4WD. But with an aim to deliver an electric MG sports car which starts at under £30k, we expect a chunk of the E-Motion’s flair, spec and performance, will be sacrificed to hit the price target.
Now it’s confirmed, will an electric MG sports car turn things around for MG? And what should it be called? MGE, perhaps?
Paul says
Please, please, please let it look just like the e-motion concept! I can live with conventional doors and mirrors, but keep it looking the same and I won’t be able to give MG my £30k fast enough… ????