TMW - The 2016 mitsubishi Shogun - A tale of two cars in one body, one better than the other.

The 2016 Mitsubishi Shogun is a tale of two cars, firstly the general car then the off road vehicle, the off road car is one that most fail to emulate, it has the power and low down grunt to keep the car going in the most difficult of terrains, the car is set on two wheel drive, but you can easily change that to other wheel combinations upto a full four wheel drive car.

Off road is something that i would like to try out at some point in this car, as i am sure that it would just demolish all styles of driving from deep ruts and deep water to steep inclines/declines and side inclines as well, but that will have to wait to another day and event.

The interior of the car is brilliant, loads of room, and lots of glass so that you never feel like you are hemmed in, unlike similar cars that take fashion over functionality, however, the interior is a great place to be, the great feeling switches and knobs are all damped to make them feel like quality switches, not many can do that, make something out to be better than what it actually is, and the rest of the interior follows suit.

Leather upholstery and leather covered door cards give you the feeling of quality, along with electric movement and heated front seating, you are at least comfortable, well, I say comfortable, you sit on the seats, and not cossetted in them, for a car this expensive, the comfort is a little left wanting, however, i did manage to fall asleep whilst being driven, and i dont do that in every car.

The satellite Navigation is great, once you get it set up, it is precise, direct and instructions are clear and concise, again, i have been in cars that are not that good, so another plus point, the steering wheel has reach and rake, so, along with the electric seats, getting into a position of reasonable comfort for driving is easy.

Once on the highway, things change a little, the 3.2 litre diesel engine struggles, and you have to give yourself plenty of room to pull out of a junction or roundabout, there is some lean on sharp corners, which is more fun than not, the steering is more heavy than not, but it makes for precise driving, rather than the flakey steering that a lot of cars have these days, you can tell where the car is actually going to go, and with some of the over powered cars, that can be difficult.

On the road you will be more than aware of the noise, the big tyres give a lot of road roar, then you have the oversized wing mirrors, again, they cause wind noise, a slight redesign might make that noise less intrusive, but you can not get away from the size of the car, it is a big box, so again, this will cause some wind noise, especially once you get the car upto motorway speeds, at least the radio can drown this out.

The Fuel consumption is one thing you dont talk about, if you can afford to buy one of these, then you should be able to afford the fuel, but for the sake of being open and honest, the claimed fuel consumption is :-

• Urban - 26.9mpg
• Extra Urban - 32.8mpg
• Combined - 30.4mpg

We managed to get, via the cars info, just shy of 28mpg over the course of the 10 days we had the Shogun, added to which the first year taxation of £885 and £500 per year thereafter (for the moment-Tax rates change on 1st April) makes the initial outlay high, but you do know you are getting a really well made, and reliable car, one that can do all you ask of it, both on and off road.

The car is well specified, with lots of toys gadgets to play with, some of the items that come as standard are:-

• Leather Upholstery
• Leather Door Facings
• Electric Sunroof
• Carpet Mats All Round inc Boot
• Premium HD Sat Nav
• DAB Radio
• Stainless Steel Front Door Entry Guards
• Front Power Seats
• Front Heated Seats
• Rear Parking Sensors
• Rear View Camera
• Mood Lighting
• Climate Control
• Bonnet Badge
• Twin USB Ports
• Hidden CD Slot
• LED Daytime Running Lights
• HiD Xenon With Auto Levelling Headlamps

And this is just a small amount of the standard fit items that you will find on this car, however, no amount of toys and gadgets can disguise the fact that this car needs to be updated, its very good, dont get me wrong, but it cant compete with the Range Rover or Discovery, which is  the market the Shogun is competing in.

CONCLUSION

Give the car some more comfy seats, a better cleaner engine, try and reduce wind noise and make it less agricultural, and you will have the perfect car, as it stands, you are getting a very good car, let down by some small defects, is it good enough ? Well, yes, it really is a great car to be in, you feel like your lording it over all and sundry.

it can take all the luggage you could need, and even some really large items can be taken without having to adjust the rear seats, and talking of rear seats, there is acres of room for your passengers, another plus point, keeping the kids or family happy.

The five year/62,500 mile warranty is another plus point, where you get only three years elsewhere you get five here, which shows that they have confidence in the product, you even get a 12 year anti perforation warranty and three year pan european roadside assistance including home start, would i have one, well, if i could afford to pay for fuel then yes i would, it really is a good car, and if they sorted out the other bits and pieces it would become unbeatable.

END OF YEAR UK - MG - The brand has been named as one of the fastest growing brands in 2016.

MG Motor UK has been named as one of the fastest-growing automotive brands in the UK*. Figures released earlier this week by the SMMT** reveal that the company registered 4,192 vehicles in 2016 – 1,040 more than last year. 

Sales have grown by 33% year-on-year, with MG’s family-friendly SUV – the MG GS – a key driver of this success. In November, the new model reached its 500 unit sales milestone, just 176 days after being unveiled at The London Motor Show in May.

The MG3 supermini has also continued to prove popular with motorists nationwide, thanks to its good looks, sporty engine and affordable price. Relaunched in 2016 with a number of design tweaks and new colour scheme options, the supermini brings style and fun to a new generation of drivers.

Matthew Cheyne, Head of Sales and Marketing at MG Motor UK, commented: “We’re delighted to have been named as one of the UK’s fastest-growing automotive brands. This achievement is testament to the commitment of the whole team at Longbridge, along with our dedicated dealer network, which has played a hugely important role in our expansion over the past 12 months.

“The GS has proven to be an incredibly popular option for motorists looking to buy a family-friendly SUV that doesn’t break the bank, while the MG3 has also enjoyed consistent success throughout the year. 2016 has been a year of progress for MG, and we’re looking forward to building on this further as we move into 2017.

“Later this year, we have a new model coming and, more importantly, our network will grow again as additional excellent dealers join us.”

MG’s continued growth reflects a wider trend for the UK motor industry, with car registrations growing by 2.3% year-on-year in 2016. A total of 2,692,786 new cars were registered, compared to 2,633,503 in 2015.

The MG range currently comprises two distinct models – the MG3 supermini and MG GS SUV. The MG3 starts at just £8,399 and comes with great specification, striking looks and more than a million personalisation options that will make your car completely unique. The MG GS starts at just £14,995 – bringing family fun and affordability perfectly together. Whether a weekend family adventure, the daily commute to work, or a trip to the shops, the GS can handle it.

UK SALES OCTOBER - MG sales continue to move ahead after a huge September, October is 62% up !

MG Motor UK is celebrating its continued success in 2016, after achieving an increase in year-on-year registrations for October. Figures released today by The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show a 62% rise compared to the same month in 2015.

So far in 2016, MG has registered 3,562 vehicles, 36% higher than 2015. In addition, SMMT data shows that the company has already sold more vehicles to date this year than in any full year since the company relaunched. 

Alongside growing awareness of the brand and its excellent value for money, Matthew Cheyne, Head of Sales and Marketing at MG Motor UK, believes that this continued success is down to its ongoing focus on dealer engagement and a positive customer reception to its latest model range. MG’s strategy is to work with its dealer network and respond to ideas and requests in a positive, personal manner that allows dealers to concentrate on delighting their customers, not trying to navigate confusing manufacturer rules and regulations.

Cheyne comments: “We believe good business is about selling cars and looking after customers. It’s not rocket science. Other manufacturers make unreasonable demands on their dealer network, we don’t. We listen and react to what our partners are telling us they need so we can give them the tools to sell MG cars and look after their customers.

“Celebrating another successful month for vehicle registrations shows the continued growth of MG in the UK. Alongside achieving a year-on-year increase of 98 additional registrations in October, we’ve now registered a total of 3,562 vehicles this year to date. This is not only an improvement on last year, but the highest annual sales figures achieved since the brand was relaunched.

“Although excellent news for the MG brand, such impressive registration figures wouldn’t have been possible without a highly committed and successful national dealer network. For this reason, I would like to once again thank each of our dealers for another outstanding monthly performance.

“As our dealer network grows further, we will continue to expand as a company. This, combined with an excellent model range, will see MG continue to drive forward in the UK marketplace.

“For the remainder of the year, we’re running a range of tempting deals to make owning a new MG even more affordable. So, now is the perfect time to pop into your local MG dealership and take advantage of these great offers!”

Until the end of December, both the MG3 and MG GS come with a selection of special offers*. With OTR prices starting from £14,995, the GS is currently available with either:

• 0% APR with just a 20% deposit monthly finance option
• £660 contribution towards your deposit when financed on a PCP/PCH basis
• A five-year/80,000-mile (whichever occurs first) manufacturer parts and labour warranty

Fun on the inside, stylish on the outside, the MG3 is currently available with either:

• 0% APR with just a 20% deposit monthly finance option
• £900 contribution towards your deposit when financed on a personal contract purchase (PCP)
• A range of personal (PCH) and business (BCH) contract hire packages from just £99 per month  

MG to offer a free Vehicle Health Check on all MG3-MG6 and MG GS cars in readiness for the UK's poor weather.

With the nights closing in, temperatures dropping and driving conditions worsening every day, it’s important to ensure your car is ready for the colder weather. To give drivers complete peace of mind, MG Motor UK has launched a complimentary vehicle health check (VHC) programme* across its national dealer network.

The 16-point visual inspection, available via any MG Authorised Repairer, will review key vehicle components to ensure the highest levels of winter road safety and driving performance. 

From clutch and brake feel to driveshaft operation, battery condition and exposed belt use, the step-by-step check will clearly indicate if any servicing or repair work needs to be immediately undertaken.

Fluid levels – including engine oil – will also be checked, alongside the wear of windscreen wipers, tyre tread and suspension. Finally, qualified technicians will analyse the exhaust and steering system, test seat belt clasps and ensure all lights are fully functioning.

Following the VHC inspection, drivers will be provided with a report. Outlining any essential servicing and repair work that needs to be undertaken on the day, this document will advise any components that require attention in the near future.

Matthew Cheyne, Head of Sales and Marketing at MG Motor UK, commented: “The safety of MG drivers is paramount, which is why we’re offering free vehicle health checks at dealerships nationwide. We all know that driving in winter can sometimes be a little more challenging, so it’s important your car is ready to head out on the road.

A recent study by the Institute of Advanced Motorists found that in autumn and winter, drivers are 11% more likely to have a car accident due to road conditions than in spring or summer. Indeed, a third of all accidents in colder months can be directly attributed to the road environment, or weather related issues. Furthermore, research from the Department of Transport Road Accident Statistics found that the number of accidents caused by wet road conditions increase by 267% in winter.a

MG grows by nearly 100% in September, with the GS taking hold and the MG3 still producing high sales figures.

According to figures released by The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) earlier today (5 October), MG Motor UK has experienced its best ever month for car sales since the company relaunched.

Registering a total of 1,005 vehicles during September 2016, MG recorded a 97% year-on-year increase for the month of September. Year to date, MG has achieved a 34% increase in registrations over 2015 figures, already selling more vehicles than any full year previously.

Matthew Cheyne, Head of Sales and Marketing at MG Motor UK, said: “Breaking the 1,000 vehicle registration figure for September is a significant achievement. During 2016, our figures have continued to rise, reflecting unprecedented demand and customer affinity towards the brand.

“The continued success of MG in the UK is not only testament to the performance and quality of our model range – which includes the family-favourite GS SUV and MG3 supermini – but also the continued growth of our dealer network.

“Without the hard work, dedication and support of each MG dealer in the UK, we couldn’t have achieved such impressive registration results. As such, I wish to personally extend my thanks to them for a record-breaking month.

“We’re delighted with our performance so far in 2016 and have surpassed our total year 2015 sales already. We look forward to carrying this on in Q4 as we continue to offer our customers competitive, affordable and exciting vehicles.”

According to the SMMT figures, a total of 469,696 new cars were registered in September 2016, with year-to-date performance remaining positive, up 2.5% to 2,096,886 million units

MG makes the GS the car to own for the back to school families, with a host of offers and options available.

With parents across the country gearing up for another year of school runs, there’s never been a better time to snap up a brand new set of wheels.

MG Motor UK’s all-new SUV, the MG GS, perfectly blends style and practicality, making it the ideal model for tackling the morning rush. 

Fun, affordable and available with a whole host of family-friendly accessories, the GS is designed to stand up to the challenges of your weekly routine.

With space for five, generous head and legroom and adjustable seats, the GS is perfect for books, bags, sports kits and more! Packed with superb features, it’s sure to keep everyone entertained – wherever your adventures take you.

The school run can be messy business, which is why the GS comes with a range of stylish rubber mats (from £30.00) for the front, rear and boot. These handy accessories protect the car’s interior from mud, spillages and water, helping families keep their car in showroom condition.

For those looking to emulate the likes of Laura Trott and join the school cycling team, roof cross bars (£204.00) are the perfect accessory to hold cycle carriers (£192.00). Chrome effect tailgate finisher and speed flash decals can also be added, complementing the GS’s sporty and stylish looks.

The MG GS range starts from £14,995 and is currently available with a number of great offers, including:

• An £850 deposit contribution
• 0% APR representative finance, available up to five years with a minimum 20% deposit
• A five year or 80,000 mile (whichever occurs first) manufacturer parts and labour warranty

Schools out, and it's time to enjoy the summer, and MG apparently offers the family everything it needs in the GS

School’s out and it’s time for summer and, for some, that means holidays or at the very least a fun, family day out.

MG Motor UK’s newest model, the MG GS, is the perfect solution for getting a family and all the necessary equipment in whilst still maintaining comfort and space. To make the MG GS even more family and adventure friendly, there is a fantastic array of accessories available.

For those looking to head out on their bikes, roof cross bars (£204.00) are the perfect accessory to hold cycle carriers (£192.00). Or, if the preference is to place bikes on the back, a tow bar cycle carrier (from £131.99) is also available to carry them neatly to the chosen destination. The roof cross bars are also ideal for a roof box. The 360-litre roof box (£420.00) with a three-point locking system, for additional security, has a quick attachment that fits the box to the roof bars entirely from the inside.

Hoping to tow a caravan or trailer? Great news, the MG GS has a towing capacity (braked) of 1,750kg. A tow bar is also available in the accessories range making it easier to fit, hook-up and tow.

For the more practical customer, who might want to kid-proof or simply protect their MG GS, there is a range of rubber mats (from £30.00) for the front, rear and boot. These handy accessories protect the car’s interior from mud, spillages and water keeping the MG GS in showroom condition. Those looking for a dog-friendly vehicle will be pleased to hear that the MG GS is also available with a dog guard (£75.00).  

There are a number of other accessories for customers looking to make their MG GS stand out even more, including chrome effect side grilles, a chrome effect tailgate finisher and speed flash decals. For the full range and prices, visit mg.co.uk/owners/accessories/.

The MG GS range starts from £14,995 and is currently available with a number of great offers, including:

• An £850 deposit contribution on all MG GS models
• 0% APR representative finance, which is available up to five years with a minimum 20% deposit
• A five year or 80,000 mile (which occurs first) manufacturer parts and labour warranty