MG unveils a new sports car plug in electric car at the Shanghai Auto Show 2017.

MG Motor has unveiled an all-new electric supercar concept at the 17th annual Shanghai International Automotive Show (19 April) – the MG E-motion. Offering a glimpse of the future, the next-generation vehicle aims to push the boundaries of innovation and technology, while meeting the needs of today’s trend-setting car buyers.

Perfectly blending style, sophistication and elegance, the E-motion embodies MG’s vision for the future. With a slender sportsback-style design paying tribute to the brand’s hundred-year heritage, starlight matrix front grill and headlights bringing inspiration from the London Eye, and vertical tail lights developed using decades of world-leading design experience, the ground-breaking concept brings MG’s sense of fun and aspiration to the low emission marketplace.

Below the surface, the MG E-motion sets the standards in plug-in vehicle capability, with the latest pure-electric modular architecture platform developed in-house and delivering 0-100kmph in less than four seconds, despite boasting a range of more than 500km. Equipped with an intelligent infotainment system, the supercar is fully internet-compatible, which MG believes will position it perfectly for the younger market. 

In addition to the E-motion concept, the Shanghai International Automotive Show also saw the brand unveil a fully-customised version of the MG ZS compact SUV. Positioned as the first intelligent SUV, the model is already proving hugely popular with drivers worldwide.

With an 8” super control panel and the most powerful intelligent interconnected system ever developed, the MG ZS pushes the boundaries of innovative vehicle technology. Worldwide, the MG ZS has already experienced unprecedented sales demand, with upwards of 20,000 registrations being reported every month.

For the MG brand, this has helped to drive a 76% increase in year-on-year sales figures, alongside a 51% increase in sales compared to the previous quarter – easily surpassing the industry average.

Matthew Cheyne, Head of Sales and Marketing at MG Motor UK, commented: “The MG E-motion electric supercar concept demonstrates our global vision for the future. Alongside leading the way in design and capability, the next-generation model is the latest step in achieving the ultimate driving experience.

“The Shanghai International Automotive Show highlights our progress and capabilities, while further new models will continue this future-thinking strategy, embracing innovation to deliver ground-breaking vehicles for the drivers of tomorrow.”

Engineers from SAIC, the company behind MG Motor, co-hosted a global gathering of top automotive aerodynamicists.

Engineers from SAIC Motor Technical Centre, the company behind MG Motor, co-hosted a global gathering of top automotive aerodynamicists in Leamington Spa, UK, in November. 

Recognising the key role vehicle design plays in fuel economy, the EADE (European Aerodynamic Data Exchange) annual meeting welcomed 44 delegates from over 20 global vehicle manufacturers and two wind tunnel facilities.

Held at the Engineering Employers’ Federation (EEF) conference centre in Warwickshire, the annual event gives engineers involved in reducing the drag co-efficient of cars the opportunity to share new developments and data relating to wind tunnel testing. 

These tests are used to understand how well a car travels through the air, producing a set of figures to describe a vehicle’s relative aerodynamic performance.

Vehicle aerodynamics is becoming much more important in the overall design of cars, given the increasing pressure on manufacturers to improve fuel efficiencies and reduce harmful emissions. A car that travels through the air more easily makes for a quieter and more comfortable drive. Accordingly, drag co-efficient has become a highly debated performance statistic among carmakers keen to increase fuel economy.

However, comparing results between facilities around the world is problematic, akin to comparing apples to pears. This is primarily due to variations in wind tunnel facilities where drag coefficients are measured and, to a lesser degree, from variations in testing methodologies.

EADE is collaborative group that enables OEMs to share aerodynamic benchmark testing and strengthen the domestic aerodynamic technology base through sharing non-competitive ideas and technologies.

Nicolas Sabrazat, chief aerodynamic engineer at SAIC Motor, said: “Co-hosting the EADE event in the Midlands this year has been a great pleasure – as it reflects the growing confidence in the re-emergent motor industry here in the UK.”

The SAIC Motor Technical Centre (SMTC) in Longbridge currently boasts an engineering design team of over 250 people. This is the place where new models such as the MG3 supermini and MG GS sports utility vehicle have been designed. Already, the MG GS has been praised for its competitive aerodynamic performance, with engineers from SMTC presenting technical papers on its progressive design.

Looking forward to new models currently under development for MG, Sabrazat comments that the role of aerodynamics will become even more vital for tomorrow’s cars. He said: “With tough new emissions laws being introduced in 2017, and the ever-growing need for greater fuel efficiency, reducing the drag of vehicles is now more important than ever. It is for that reason that we have continued to invest in our resources here in Birmingham.”

Current MG models include the MG3 supermini and MG GS sports utility vehicle, which retail from £8,399 and £14,995 respectively.

SAIC Motor searches for rising stars with internship programme for 2017.

SAIC Motor searches for rising stars with internship programme for 2017

Birmingham-based SAIC Motor UK Technical Centre (SMTC UK), the sister company of MG Motor UK, has launched its 2017 internship programme, in a search for the engineering talent of tomorrow.

Having selected seven aspiring engineering graduates in September 2016 to the year-long internship programme, the company is now on the hunt for its class of 2017. 

Commencing in September next year, the course covers a diverse range of topics including electronic engineering, powertrain, advanced engineering, body structures, vehicle performance, chassis engineering and vehicle styling. Team working is a key part of the programme, which kicked off in 2016 with an outward bound event in the first week to help fast track graduates’ relationships with fellow students and learn about successful teams.

The recruitment process for next year’s intake has begun with current interns attending the University of Bath’s Engineering Placements Fair earlier in November. Alongside showcasing the annual internship opportunities on offer at the company’s Longbridge site, SAIC promoted its summer placement scheme and other graduate programmes.

One of the interns who attended the event at Bath University was Damon Elson. He said: “Since joining the internship at SAIC in September, I’ve learnt a huge amount about automotive engineering and working in a large organisation. As well as seeing how a global vehicle manufacturer operates from the inside, we have already learnt about the relevant software and planning skills needed to develop our automotive design skills in the months to come.

“With such a solid grounding in place, we’re now really looking forward to our joint project, which will be our main focus in 2017. This practical project will test our knowledge of engineering and automotive design, challenging us to show how modern technology can be harnessed to create a vehicle with levels of performance that were unimaginable even ten years ago. With such a rich heritage of car design from the MG brand, we certainly have plenty to inspire us!”

SMTC UK employs approximately 300 skilled design engineers at its Longbridge facilities and is responsible for the design and development of all new MG and Roewe models.

To find out more about the SAIC UK graduate opportunities, please go to: http://www.saicmotor.co.uk/careers-graduate.aspx

SMTC UK commenced its internship programme in 2013 and has so far accepted more than 30 students onto the Longbridge-based course.

CAPTION: SMTC UK Recruitment specialist Sheree Molenaar (far left) with Damon Elson (second left) and fellow 2016/17 internship students at the recent Engineering Placement Fair at Bath University.