MG6 Review and Holden MG advert Eastern Daily Press 25/02/2012

MG6’s Magnette-ic attraction

by Matt Kimberley
PA motoring writer
Saturday, February 25, 2012
6:16 PM






Matt Kimberley, PA motoring writer, says there’s an old-school breath of fresh air about the new MG6 Magnette saloon.


MG6 Magnette TSE



Model: £19,995 on the road

Engine: 1.8-litre, 158bhp, four-cylinder turbo petrol

Transmission: Five-speed manual driving front wheels

Performance: 0-62mph 8.4 seconds; top speed 120mph (limited)

Fuel economy: 35.6mpg

CO2 emissions: 184g/km


The MG brand is one with a huge amount of heritage in this country, stretching back to the 1920s. Given the MG’s upheaval over the last decade, passing between owners and business plans, it’s time for the company to set down deep roots again.

Following the revival of the sharp-handling MG TF in 2007, the MG6 took its place as the brand’s sole model in the UK last year, first with a hatchback and later the Magnette saloon. It’s a D-segment car in aspiration, designed as an alternative to the mainstream Ford Mondeos and Vauxhall Insignias.

It’s also intended to be more involving and satisfying to drive – no mean feat for a company with limited resources. It has aimed to do it by keeping the manufacturing process as simple as possible, reducing production costs.

For a start there’s only one engine – a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol that hints at MG’s current parent company’s influence. It’s a modestly-powerful affair with 158bhp which shows an under-stressed set of components.

MG has adopted the very sensible approach of its Chinese owners in producing an engine that will be reliable to help win the buyers’ trust and to help start the process of restoring MG to its former glory. The fact petrol is about 10p cheaper per litre than diesel is handy, too.

Compared to rivals, the Magnette costs a lot less and offers a huge amount of standard equipment. The GT ‘fastback’ hatchback and the Magnette saloon are both on sale in three trim levels, starting with S and stepping up to SE. But even the highest TSE version of the more expensive Magnette, with all the bells and whistles, costs £19,995 before haggling.

So for less than the price of a fairly low-spec mainstream rival, the MG6 offers satellite navigation, Bluetooth, leather sports seats, a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, 18in alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control and one-touch electric windows all round.

In terms of spec, there are small differences, like the Magnette TSE comes with an electric sunroof over the GT TSE, but either way the MG6 offers incredible value for money.

All of this kit is to make the MG6 as luxurious as possible, but for such a bargain asking price there will have to be concessions. Not as many as you’d think, though, because MG has much lower overheads to cover than in the old days.

The only corners cut in the cabin are the plastics for a few key areas, like the handbrake and gear lever gaiter. The latter is a particular lowlight but you get used to it, given the relative price of the car.

It’s a substantial beast, the MG6, and the way the dashboard and door lines enclose you makes it feel doubly so. It’s a genuinely pleasant place to sit, and your expectations are more than met by the wealth of gadgets.

Perhaps the biggest surprise, though, comes when the car is moving. It feels old-fashioned, but in a likeable sort of way, with heavy controls and a slightly notchy gear change. It forces you to be involved with the drive, which will really suit the closet petrolheads.

And it’s a good drive. It has balance thanks to a relatively light front end compared to the average diesel car, and that heavy steering gives a healthy supply of feel.

It’s not as lively as the old rear-wheel drive TF of course, but in a heavy-handed, stereotypically manly sort of way the MG6 is surprisingly enjoyable on the twisty bits.

At speed the smooth petrol engine shows its relative lack of urge, but it’s quiet enough to allow a little wind and road noise to penetrate the cabin. Despite a low-tech five-speed gearbox the ratios are spaced well, allowing a relaxed engine speed on the motorway.

There’s an awful lot to like about the MG6, whichever boot you have on it. The GT hatch looks the better value, but the Magnette has slightly better proportions around the back end. Most importantly, the MG6 offers something very different to the other options out there, and it’s an old-school breath of fresh air.

richardk wrote:G'day Windy

Matt Kimberley, PA motoring writer, says there’s an old-school breath of fresh air about the new MG6 Magnette saloon.