At the ongoing Chengdu Auto Show, SAIC MG's new generation MG5 was officially unveiled. The car has upgraded its interior and exterior design and handling performance based on the brand's century-old track sports genes. In particular, its bright red body attracted many professionals and spectators to stop and watch at the auto show. At the same time, many models such as MG's B-class coupe MG7 and convertible electric car MG Cyberster were also unveiled.
After the press conference, Shao Jingfeng, deputy director and chief designer of SAIC Group's Innovation Research and Development Institute, Yu Jingmin, executive vice president of SAIC Passenger Vehicle, and Lu Jiajun, general manager of SAIC MG brand, accepted a group interview with the media to discuss the inheritance and innovation of the century-old MG brand.
Making a 100,000 yuan coupe that satisfies young people
SAIC MG is one of the earliest important car companies to open the era of Chinese coupe. From the first generation MG6 in 2009, which pioneered the "coupe" in the Chinese market, to the MG7 in 2023, which achieved coupe parity with the price of 150,000 yuan; to the appearance of the new generation MG5, it has been developing in the coupe track for 15 years, with cumulative sales of 700,000 units.
The new generation MG5 inherits the track gene, and introduces the "hunting eye" design language of the SAIC MG family in the exterior design. It is equipped with a large-size vertical waterfall grille, MG's classic Fastback sloping back shape and a slightly upturned ducktail, which is more sporty in visual effect. The interior is themed "light sports", with black and red color matching dynamic seats and a D-shaped multi-function sports steering wheel to create a young sports atmosphere.
Shao Jingfeng said: "The new model continues the MG brand's 'hunting eye' design language, which is our original design. As for netizens saying that it is similar to a certain super luxury brand, I think it is more of a different path for sports car brands to achieve the same goal."
In addition to the upgrade of internal and external design, the power system of the new generation MG5 has also been significantly adjusted. SAIC MG told the reporter of "Huaxia Times" that the new generation MG5 is equipped with a "double top ten" powertrain. Among them, SAIC Blue Core MEGA Tech1.5T turbocharged engine has a maximum power of 133kW and a peak torque of 285N·m; the 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission has a transmission efficiency of up to 97%. Based on this, the new generation MG5 accelerates from 0 to 100 in 6.9 seconds. Yu Jingmin emphasized: "Even if it is a 100,000 yuan car, it must be a coupe that satisfies young people."
In addition, the new generation MG5 is also equipped with the only XDS cornering dynamic control system in its class. By actively braking the inner drive wheel, a yaw torque pointing to the center of the curve is formed, which improves the vehicle's cornering ability, and cooperates with the EPS-PRO intelligent adjustable steering system to bring users a smart driving experience. Lu Jiajun said: "Compared with joint venture cars of the same level, the new generation MG5 has more advantages in terms of appearance and performance."
However, the new generation MG5 faces not only joint venture cars or traditional fuel vehicles, but also many new energy models, such as ID. Yuzhong, Avita 12 and Xiaomi SU7. Although these models are not all compact cars, some are compact SUVs, and some are medium and large cars, they all have a certain impact on the coupe market structure, and the new generation MG5 is under great pressure.
It is reported that the new generation MG5 will not only target the domestic market. It is reported that the new generation MG5 will be exported to Europe.
Aiming at Europe, automobile exports maintain rapid growth
Before the new generation MG5, the first batch of MG Cyberster was exported to Europe in June this year.
In fact, MG has a deep connection with Europe. Founded in Oxford, England in 1924, MG is an important part of the development history of the automobile industry in Britain and even the world. In 2007, MG was taken over by SAIC Group and became an international brand controlled by the Chinese.
In the 17 years of development since then, this brand originated from the UK has taken root in China and gained new life and development in a Chinese way. "MG is a completely independent brand, and it is an independent brand with a history of 100 years." Lu Jiajun said earlier.
As an independent brand, SAIC MG has not ignored the layout of overseas markets and has achieved good results in overseas markets. Data shows that in 2023, MG's global sales will exceed 840,000 vehicles, of which sales in developed countries will be close to 380,000 vehicles, accounting for more than 50%, and it has won the title of "China's Single Brand Export Champion" for five consecutive years. According to data from China Automotive Research Institute, in the first half of this year, MG exported 231,000 vehicles, still the largest single brand of Chinese automobile exports.
SAIC MG's overseas layout is a microcosm of China's independent brand exports. Automobile exports have become one of the important driving forces for the growth of my country's automobile consumption. In 2024, even in the face of severe international trade protectionism, China's automobile exports continued to grow rapidly, with a total of 3.48 million vehicles exported in the first seven months, a year-on-year increase of 25%. More importantly, the sales volume of China's own brands in overseas markets reached 1.39 million vehicles in the first seven months, a year-on-year increase of 55%.
Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the National Passenger Car Market Information Joint Conference, said that the important reason for the export growth is that the international cost-effectiveness of domestic brand fuel vehicles is huge, and the export of new energy vehicles is relatively tenacious. In addition, Russia has contributed a huge increase, so the quantity and average price of China's automobile exports have both grown strongly.
