MG makes a cheeky comeback

Car feels surprisingly solid.

Like other iconic British brands, including Rolls-Royce and Jaguar, MG is no longer a "British" car, having been sold to China's largest carmaker SAIC way back in 2005 when the company went belly-up. However, the new baby MG3 was designed in the UK and although a fair number of the new cars will be built in that country, the current batch is being glued and screwed together in China until full production is due to commence in Korea next year.

Because of production limitations, South Africa will initially be getting the flagship of the new three-model MG3 range, the MG3 Style with the other two versions hitting these shores later this year.

Pre-delivery orders streaming in

In spite of the fact that only a limited number of MG3s have arrived in this country to date, pre-delivery orders have already been streaming in with the car's rapidly growing international reputation preceding its arrival in local showrooms.

Well-insulated against engine and road noises.

I was one of a small group of Cape Town motoring scribes to be among the first to drive the MG3 Style version and warmed to the cute little five-door hatchback soon after the taking the wheel.

The car feels surprisingly solid, both in build-quality and the way it behaves on the road. The ride is firm, the steering is fairly positive (pity the steering column is not fully adjustable) and the five-speed manual transmission is as smooth as Irish coffee. The neatly decked out cabin is well finished and the seats are comfortable. The living quarters are also well-insulated against engine and road noises. In short, hardly any bargain basement look and feel about it at all.

From zero to 100km/h in 10 seconds

All three models share the same 1.5-litre petrol engine that churns out 78kW and 135Nm transmitted through the front wheels. It is a naturally-aspirated engine which feels reasonably perky at sea-level, although it does require a bit of whipping and regular cog-swopping action, particularly in undulating sections, to keep the revs up. Up on the reef it could be a tad lethargic, particularly with four aboard, although MG says it will sprint from zero to 100km/h in 10 seconds.

A range of sporty wheels available.

The nature of this little beast leans towards a fairly spirited driving style, although this is likely to scramble the manufacturer's fuel consumption claims of 7,5l/100km during short-distance urban driving, 4,9l/100km out on the open road and combined cycle usage of 5,8l/100km.

Besides the car's pleasing ride quality, other attractive features standard across the range include power steering, ABS with EBD and EBA, cornering brake control, electronic stabilisation control, tyre pressure monitoring, cruise control, an onboard computer, collapsible steering column, pre-tensioner seatbelts, airbags, child lock and a high-mounted brake light. Other gizmos standard across all three models are a USB port, AUX in, 12-volt socket, front and rear speakers, Bluetooth, aircon, and split rear folding seat. The Style model also has auto headlights and wipers, as well as reverse parking sensors.

The MG3 does not come with a full-size spare wheel although this is an optional extra across the range. A tyre repair kit is part of the standard equipment.

Pimp your ride

One of the new car's biggest come-ons, particularly for younger buyers, will undoubtedly be the virtually unlimited number of ways in which individuals can pimp their rides with special body paint jobs, a range of sporty wheels plus a vast choice of eye-catching, bright decal kits available at all 15 dealerships (a further 20 are scheduled to open next year). To get a glimpse of what is on offer go to www.mgsa.co.za.

Comes with auto headlights and wipers, as well as reverse parking sensors.

The competitive pricing of the three MG3 variants at R145,000 for the entry-level, R165,000 for the Wired model and R179,000 for the leather-seated Style option, the mini MG3 could turn out to be a reasonably attractive alternative to the market-dominating Ford Figo, Polo Vivo and Hyundai i20, particularly as the MG3 price tags include a three-year/100,000km warranty, two-year/60,000km service plan and AA Road Side Assist.

The MG badge will no doubt stir emotional memories of popular MG convertibles in the minds of grandparents, moms and dads, but it will probably be the MG3's competitive pricing, excellent specifications, and cheeky character that will resound with the younger, trendy set.