COVER MG X-motion
X-motion previews largest SUV in brand’s range Showroom car to sit above GS
Wraps off new large SUV that’ll take fight to Kodiaq
MG used last week’s Beijing Motor Show to reveal a fresh large SUV concept, which has been confirmed for production and will be coming to the UK next year as the brand’s flagship model.
The X-motion Concept will be MG’S largest SUV when it hits showrooms, sitting above the ZS and GS and sizing up against the likes of the Renault Koleos and Skoda Kodiaq.
Speaking with Auto Express at the show, MG designer Xu Dengtao hinted that 90 per cent of the concept’s styling will remain intact when the model makes production, highlighting the angular front end in particular.
That’s no great surprise, though, because the car’s face is clearly inspired by the brand’s smaller ZS, boasting the same large grille and thin headlight combination. At the back, the concept sports a more rakish shape than the ZS.
“This is a global car for MG. We will sell it in China and the UK, and are looking at other countries, too,” Dengtao said.
Although it will be MG’S largest SUV, the car will appear first as a five-seater. A new 2.0-litre petrol engine has been confirmed, but the company told Auto Express it also plans to offer electrified powertrains; the concept is pure electric.
According to Dengtao, the car will have 2WD and 4WD drivetrains, and will contain driver assist systems such as adaptive cruise control. The concept doesn’t feature an interior yet, so we’ll have to wait for a glimpse inside.
The X-motion Concept and the twodoor E-motion electric sports car seen at last year’s Shanghai show feature MG’S new design language, aimed at bringing the brand back to its sports car roots, and first seen on the ZS last year.
“MG is focused more towards performance vehicles,” Dengtao explained. “It’s part of the genetic specification of MG. [With cars like the X-motion Concept and the two-seater EV], we want to let global MG fans know that we are going back to our roots.”
“The process will take time,, though, so we are not going to be launchingnching a fleet of sports cars any time soon, but performance and sportiness is something we look towards in our design.
“We are gaining the confidence to bring more fun cars to the market. MG has a lot of history and we are working on how to highlight the brand’s history properly. This needs a long product strategy,” Dengtao added.
The production X-motion is likely to be revealed later this year, and although not officially confirmed by executives for now, it could arrive in UK showrooms as early as 2019, according to our chat with its designer in Beijing.
A new two-seat sports car based on the E-motion concept could become a production reality after the arrival of the X-motion, possibly landing in 2020.
“The show concept will be coming to the UK next year as the brand’s flagship model“