India bound MG3 hatchback spied in China

We had recently announced that the iconic MG brand is all set to setup its operations in India replacing the now defunct GM India’s domestic operations.

Now, new spy images of the MG3 facelift have surfaced online; the B-segment hatchback from MG once it sets up shop in India. The car will likely compete against the likes of Hyundai i20 and Maruti Baleno in the Indian market. The images have been shared on a Chinese website and reveals the facelifted MG3’s dashboard design in detail.

The interior of the facelifted MG3 reveals substantial differences when compared to the current generation on sale. The new three-spoke steering wheel looks much more stylish with the MG logo in the centre. The dashboard has a completely new and re-designed layout which gets a two-tone colour scheme. The manual HVAC controls on the redesigned centre console suggest that the interior is not of the top-spec grade. The new infotainment system is closer to the driver now and features vertical air vents which complement the dashboard design very well. The top of the line variants should be offered with automatic climate control, push-button start and even more features.

The MG3 currently available in China comes with a couple of petrol engine options; 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre VCT NSE engine. The 1.3-litre petrol engine develops 91 HP and 118 Nm of torque. Transmission choices for this engine include 5-speed manual and 5-speed automated manual. The 1.5-litre VCT NSE engine develops 107.24 HP and 135 Nm of torque. It is paired to a 5-speed automated manual transmission.

When launched in India, the facelifted MG should feature updated 1.3 L and 1.5 L engines with increased power outputs of 95 HP and 110 HP respectively. The 5-speed automated manual transmission is to be replaced by a more mainstream 4-speed automatic transmission.

While the new model of MG3 is likely to be launched in China later this year, the same model configured with a RHD layout should see light in India by 2019 by when MG brand would have established its Indian operations.

While MG cars has already appointed its senior officers for its Indian business, the brand is most likely to invest in GM’s now defunct Halol plant in Maharashtra for manufacturing its cars.

[Source: IndianAutoBlog]