TMW - MG3, At last a car to be proud of.

When MG UK re-entered the UK market with the MGTf we knew all about that car, yes it had a few alterations here and there, but was essentially the same car that MG-Rover built up until 2005 when all hell broke loose and the Longbridge plant finally closed its doors.

Then came the MG6, a mid sized saloon and hatch with a single petrol engine choice and three trim levels at a price most thought to be a bit to optimistic, and the lack of sales has shown this, a vast number of offers every few months does little to tempt the UK buyer to the brand, and why, well MG seems to have little faith in this car, they don't want anyone to know about it.

The complete lack of advertising is a bone of contention on a number of websites, namely MG-Rover.org and AROnline, with some members on both sites becoming obsessively anti Chinese, and no amount of asking gets us any response as to why they don't, massive success in the BTCC should have most companies ad men drooling at the prospect of advertising the brand or cars, but not MG UK.

We then see an MGB styled SUV concept, which i liked and was not like by a lot of people, then the Zero concept and MG5 concept, both the Zero (MG3) and MG5 concept cars made it to the production lines but heavily watered down from what both were fantastic designs, it was then decided the MG5 would not come to the UK and the MG3 would, and it is this car that we have here.

I, along with many have been looking forward to this car, because this car has got to succeed in a way no other car before it has, if this car fails to sell, like the MG6, then I fear it might be game over for MG in the UK, but they have priced it right, £8,000 for the basic car, £10,000  for the mid range and £12,000 for the leather clad top of the range car.

The interior of the MG3 looks spartan, but that has a charm about it, as so many cars these days have dozens of buttons it looks stupid, the nice to the touch steering wheel and short throw gear stick looks like it might be a decent car to throw about for those that want a ZR replacement, the seats are very supportive and comfortable, however the awful shiny fabric that is the center part of the seats does hark back to the 1980's.

With the front seat in a position I would be happy with, a 6 foot person got in the back seat and was comfortable with room to move their legs, the doors shut with no quite a thunk, but they sound solid enough for a car in this market, the style of the audio controls and controls on the steering wheel all have a matching shape and design, and that is good, as it is a familiar look, for those with ipods etc.

The car here had electric windows all round, the rears will apparently be manual on the basic car, but then that's no hardship, the rear doors open wide, a lot wider that a lot of the opposition, nearly to 90 degree so access for kids etc will be good, I also like the sport touches, like the side skirts and rear spoiler, it gives a more sporty look to the car, however with no details about the 1.5 litre engine, whether it is sporty to drive or not wont become apparent until later in the year.

The only issues I had with the car is the high lip to the boot and drop the other side, people who struggle with these things will find that an issue, and the lack of engine options and the ridiculous decision not to bring an auto to any of the MG range "anytime soon" is laughable in these days of so many engine/gearbox options.

If MG had an auto in the 6, there would be one on my drive right now, no hesitation, if they had one in the 3 and not the 6, there would be a 3 on my drive come September, so the lack of these choices is costing them money and customers, but I digress, here are the pictures, enjoy.

UPDATE 16/08/2013

MG UK have announced that teh new MG3 will have a price point where the top of teh range will be £9,999, and a start price of £8,399, great news, lots of options, some dreadful and some ok, some really nice colours and decent looking alloys, so what will they fail on, probably the advertising, there seems to be little news on whether there will be any TV advertising, or a major press launch, as long as they just do not rely on Facebook and Twitter to sell these cars then teh outlook is good.