MGGS (AS21) 2015 - 2019

　　The British automaker was known for its sporty cars, but that idea faded away after it found shelter under the Chinese automotive company SAIC and started to produce SUVs such as the 2015 GS.

　　In 2000, BMW sold the MG brand to the Rover Group, which also had financial problems. As a result, in 2007, the marque traded hands again, being bought by SAIC. The new owner had the difficult job of reviving the once-famous sportscar maker. That took longer than expected. Still, after eight years, in 2015, MG introduced its first SUV, the GS, produced in Lingang, China. It was a surprising move that paid off since customers liked the new vehicle. Moreover, it was priced below the segment’s average. In addition, it came with a five-year warranty and was available in three trim levels.

　　The design team was led by Anthony Williams-Kenny and penned the vehicle with curved lines and organic-inspired shapes. Its swept-back headlights were mounted up on the front fascia and flanked a slim upper grille that sported the MG badge in the middle. Lower, on the bumper, the automaker installed a broader air intake to cool the engine and two side scoops for the fog lamps, which were underlined by LED daytime running lights. A black trim completed the SUV stance.

　　From its sides, the GS showed a dynamic look, with black trims around the wheel arches that created the image of a rugged vehicle. In addition, the top trim level featured side sills that helped with ingress and egress. The ascending waistline emphasized the car’s sporty character, and the raked forward tailgate resembled the shape of the former MG ZR hatchback. Finally, at the back, the GS had elliptic LED taillights stretched from the quarter panels to the tailgate, while the lower bumper sported a black lower trim with a skid plate-like silver trim underneath.

　　Inside, the automaker used average-quality plastics for the dashboard and door cards. Still, it offered heated front seats with leather upholstery for the top trim level. Also, for the most expensive version of the GS, MG used a touchscreen infotainment system mounted on the dashboard with GPS navigation. Lower, on the center console, the automaker installed several buttons and the gear stick. The driver fronted a dashboard with two large dials for the speedometer and tachometer that flanked an LCD that showed the fuel level and the coolant temperature. In the back, the automaker installed a bench seat that could split-fold (60/40) completely flat to expand the 355-liter (12.5 cu-ft) trunk.

　　Under the hood, the British customers got just one engine version, a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline powerplant that sent its power to the front wheels via either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic (dual-clutch). For other markets, MG sold the car with a two-liter inline-four engine and an all-wheel drive system.

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