MG Zero Concept: 2010 Beijing Auto Show

BEIJING — SAIC's fast-developing MG brand unveiled the MG Zero concept amid much fanfare at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show this week. The neat five-door supermini was designed and engineered by the Chinese company's engineering center in Birmingham, England. More production-car teaser than concept, the Zero shares its body and interior architecture with the production MG3 version that launches later this year.

The Zero concept differs from the real thing mainly in details such as the 19-inch wheels, illuminated tailgate message board — sample message, "I Twitter" — and flamboyant lighting. The bold cabin fabrics are also showcar material only, but the floating center console is slated for production.

The MG will be offered with a choice of SAIC's new 1.3- and 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engines, as well as manual and automatic transmissions.

MG's U.K. arm may assemble the MG3 alongside the MG6 hatchback that enters production at its Longbridge plant late this year. The company is also hoping that a 156-horsepower turbo version will be developed, to provide a version with performance worthy of the MG badge.

The MG3 will be lightly restyled and offered as the Roewe 150 in China. The car is slightly bigger than the class average, in line with the MG/Roewe strategy of offering above-average interior space, and runs with conventional MacPherson strut, H-frame torsion beam suspension front and rear. Above average handling could well be a feature if the excellent chassis of the MG6 is a guide.

The MG3 is one of four new models SAIC will introduce this year. The MG6 and Roewe 350, also new in Beijing, have already been seen, and there will be an SUV announced this fall.

Inside Line says: True global product should appeal on both sides of the globe. — Richard Bremner, Correspondent