Newtechfresh | Consumer Electronics Guide: MG

MG has announced pricing for the MG3 superminiin Britain, which starts from £8,399 (€9,640) for the base MG3 3TIME model.

Standard equipment includes front LED ~~lights~~daytime running lights, electronic hill hold, six airbags, electronic stability control, corner brake control and traction control. The base model gets a CD player with MP3 compatibility and Aux-in facility, while all other models come with a high quality DAB audio system.

The mid-range MG3 3FORM model, available for £9,299 (€10,672), includes air conditioning, DAB radio, Bluetooth and audio streaming, leather MG-design steering wheel with red stitching and steering wheel audio controls.

MG also offers the MG3 3FORM SPORT, which combines the equipment of the MG3 3FORM with the looks of the range-topping MG3 3STYLE, more specifically the sports body styling pack and 16-inch “Carousel” alloy wheels. The MG3 3FORM SPORT costs £9,549 (€10,985).

Finally, the top-of-the-range model MG3 3STYLE brings 16-inch “Diamond” alloy wheels and a sports body styling pack including a rear boot spoiler and side sill extensions. Standard equipment includes cruise control, automatic lights and windscreen wipers and reverse parking sensors. The MG3 3STYLE is priced at £9,999 (€11,456).

According to MG, the supermini has a big customizing potential, as all models are available with 10 different exterior colors, a wide range of exterior graphics packs, contrast mirror colors, and interior finisher color packs including color co-ordinated keys.

All models are powered by a 1.6-liter petrol engine linked to a five-speed manual gearbox. The MG3 will be available in dealerships from September 2013 with a UK insurance group rating of 4E.

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The CS Concept is not the MG brand's only new car displayed in Shanghai, as the Chinese-owned British carmaker surprised us with a preview of its new MG3 supermini. Inspired by the MG Zeroconcept car, which was unveiled at the 2010 Beijing auto show, the MG3 is the work of the design and engineering team at the MG Birmingham site in Longbridge, UK.

The MG3’s transition from concept car to production vehicle has been done without major changes. The car’s rear end is almost identical with the concept, while at the front the headlights have been slightly changed, ditching the LED technology and the flashy concept car elements like the illuminated strip uniting the headlights. However, LED technology is still present in the “hockey stick” daytime running lights, offered on every trim level.

The MG3 has also retained the black A-pillars of the concept, which offer the impression of a wraparound windscreen. There are no photos of the car’s interior, but it will most likely be very different from the futuristic dashboard of the concept.

MG says the 4,015-mm (158 in) long hatchback offers enough room for four passengers measuring 6-ft (183 cm) each. On the technical side, the MG3 will be powered by a 4-cylinder VTi-TECH petrol engine producing 105PS (104hp), mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

Following the MG6, the MG3 will be the second in a new generation of MG vehicles to be built at the Birmingham factory and will launch in the UK and Europe later this year.

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