New spy shots of the MG CS SUV, seen here in orange with minimal camouflage in China. The long awaited MG CS will debut on the Chengdu Auto Show in September and launch on the China car market in Q4. Price will start around 120.000 yuan and end around 160.000 yuan ($19.000 – 26.000).
Engine chat: still a confusing picture here with many conflicting reports. Early on we heard the MG CS would be available with a 135hp 1.5 turbo and a 204hp 2.0 turbo, both mated to a 6-speed DCT.
Later reports in Chinese media revealed a much larger line of engines: 1.3, 1.4 turbo (developed with GM), 1.5, and the 1.5 turbo. Later again reports said power would come from 1.5 and 1.5 turbo only, mated to a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic.
Today we add a new chapter. Media now say it will be 1.5 turbo only, with a 1.4 turbo and 2.0 turbo under development for later launch. In this scenario the 1.5 turbo will be the cheapest and least-powerful engine with the 1.4 turbo sitting in the middle. More as we get it…
But we got the size: 4410/1830/1710mm, wheelbase is 2650mm.
Last time we published on the MG CS we had a small discussion in the comments about where the CS is based on, with some saying it is based on the SsangYong Korando and some saying it is based on the MG5. SAIC, the owner of the MG brand, used to be the largest shareholder of SsangYong, so a platform-transfer seems perfectly possible. We have seen prototypes of the CS that were no more than rebadged Korando’s. MG however insists the CS is based on the MG5. But looking at it, especially from the back, it still seems very much a Korando indeed.
As you have the dimensions for the new CS, surely you are able to tell whether it’s based on the SsangYong Korando or the MG5?
Ssangyong Korando wheelbase is also 2650mm
http://www.ssangyonggb.co.uk/Korando-Technical?
With a Chinese home market starting price of US$19,000, it will be interesting to see how close MG UK get to the Ssangyong UK prices starting at £12,329 – they hardly sell like hot cakes in the UK and aren’t exactly leading edge vehicles…
So… Chengdu has opened, we’ve seen the MG GT and the facelifted MG6. Where is the CS…? Saving it for a rainy day? e.g. http://www.ecns.cn/visual/hd/2014/08-29/47669.shtml