My FH5 Log: The MG6 that Britain didn't get

When the original MG6 launched in Britain in 2011, it was the beginning of the comeback of a British marque that was revived by China's SAIC. It was a CKD unit made by Britain until MG decided to bid farewell to its Longbridge plant along with the MG6 in it. However, in China, the MG6 lives in its second generation and this is the Chinese equivalent of the Honda Civic Type R that Britain didn't get.

It's called the MG6 XPower, a high-performance PHEV version of the second-generation MG6. I got it as a prize car from the ongoing Forza Horizon 5 FORDZATHON series update and before getting my dibs on China's answer to the Honda Civic Type R, let's get to know about the MG6 that Britain never had.

Unveiled in late 2016, the second-generation MG6 incorporates the brand's new design language and it runs on the same mechanicals as the Roewe i6. It received a minor change in the summer of 2020 and a year later, the MG6 XPower was launched. Based on the MG6 PHEV, the XPower's 1.5L turbocharged engine was bolted to an electric motor, generating a total power output of 300PS of power and 480Nm of torque, capable of hitting 0-100kph in six seconds.

For a super saloon that was known to be China's answer to the Civic Type R, the MG6 XPower really is something the Brits are missing since the MG6 left several years ago. Should the MG6 stay in Britain to show off its second-generation model, it could have been spectacular on British roads and can easily upset the likes of the Honda Civic Type R and the Renaultsport Megane but sadly, it's too little, too late for that.

Despite this, it drives like a Civic Type R even though it has a PHEV drivetrain which sounds uncanny for a car like this. Driving around Horizon Mexico's sights and sounds in this car and I'm having the strangest feeling that I'm like a Kung-Fu martial artist in a business suit. It's got a kick into it when I go nuts with this car. Gotta admire Chinese car manufacturing in a nut shack.

Speaking of which, it's time to see how much of a car the MG6 XPower is and with that, I went back to the Festival to have a one-on-one duel with its TCR equivalent.

No joke. This is the TCR equivalent that I won from the Storm Season Playlist. Built to compete in the TCR Asia series until the smaller MG5 XPower touring car took over, the MG6 XPower TCR is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged engine producing 340hp of power and 410Nm of torque. It's mated to a 6-speed Xtrac sequential paddle shift gearbox.

Can the MG6 X-Power be as good as its TCR equivalent? Let's find out as we roll the tape.

After a hot lap, here are the results;

2021 MG MG6 XPower -  1m21.165s

2020 MG #20 MG6 XPower - 1m17.027s

A near-four-second gap between the road car and its TCR equivalent, which is quite surprising for a car like this.

To me, the second-generation MG6, in XPower form, is the MG6 Britain should get if they gave the MG6 a second chance in life but sadly, it's a clear NO from the Brits, which is too bad because this PHEV monster has the dynamics of a super hot hatch and the makings of a Nurburgring record holder for PHEV front-wheel-drive cars, which sounds unlikely but anyone can dream right? Ha ha ha... Wrong.

With the Forza producers' newfound fondness for the People's Republic of China, I don't think they'll stop featuring even more Chinese cars like this, even though we never asked for one in the first place. Kowtowing to Beijing is the main reason why we got Chinese cars in this game and the MG6 is one of them. Sigh...

Anyway, enjoy your new ride.

MG MG6 Magnette

2012 MG MG6 Magnette

The launch of the MG6 GT since May 2011 marks the return of the British automobile marque to its homeland after being owned by China's SAIC (Shanghai Automotvie Industry Corporation) and this is the time the Brits fall in love with driving again. Now in the summer of 2011, MG Motor UK introduces a new member of the family and this would be a decent rival to the Renault Fluence, Mazda Axela (Mazda 3), Mitsubishi Galant Fortis (Lancer), Chevrolet Cruze, and the Volkswagen Jetta.

Called the MG6 Magnette, it carries the same features of the MG6 GT hatchback now with the look of the medium sedan. This 4-door sedan is designed and engineered at MG Motor UK Technical Centre and it was a complete knock down unit, meaning it was made from China but remains are shipped through the Longbridge plant for finishing touches. Well, it doesn't matter, the Magnette naming on the MG6 Magnette sounds feminine but don't worry, this Britain-made sedan is made for everyone who shared their life-long passion to the Morris Garages brand. This was the second all new MG for 16 years, the first was the MG6 GT, as told from the new MG advert. This is something new on the road ahead.

On the road ahead, the MG6 Magnette is equipped with the turbocharged 1.8-litre TCI-TECH engine that produces about 158bhp (160PS) of power, 215Nm of torque, compression ratio of 9.2:1, and 0-60mph in 8.4 seconds. The standard transmission is a 5-speed manual transmission, which provides the fun factor for the British car enthusiasts ten-fold.

Three variants are available for the MG6 Magnette such as the standard MG6 Magnette S, MG6 Magnette SE, and the flagship MG6 Magnette TSE loaded with luxurious extras. It is available in seven exterior colors such as Pitch Black, Arctic White, Regal Red, Union Blue, Platinum Silve, Granite Grey, and Champagne.

My Comment:
The return of MG made it even more offensive with the launch of the MG6 GT hatchback but with the arrival of the MG6 Magnette medium sedan, this is going to be a serious threat to the likes of the Renault Fluence, Mazda Axela (Mazda 3), Mitsubishi Galant Fortis (Lancer), Chevrolet Cruze, and the Volkswagen Jetta. They're getting serious about this comeback and they are ready to win the hearts of many British car enthusiasts and win back MG's reputation after being owned by SAIC. This is going to be an interesting feat, I can't wait to see how far will two MG6 models (the MG6 GT and the MG6 Magnette) survive the battle.

Photo: MG Motor UK (via Facebook)

MG MG6 GT

2011 MG MG6 GT

After spending years with its current owner, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), they've decided that Morris Garages (MG for short) will be send them back to the Great Britian, even when this British car brand is still under China's control. The first MG model that will stage a comeback to its own roots is the MG6 GT.

Derived from its Chinese derivative, the Roewe 550, the MG6 boasts sporty elegance and the modest performance only a true British hatchback should offer. The MG6 stays true to its British roots because it was designed by the MG Motor UK Technical Centre and engineered at its Longbridge plant despite this was a completely knock down (CKD) unit. Honestly, the MG6 was made in China but shipped to the UK for some finishing touches. In China, two body types are offered; the 5-door hatchback and the 4-door saloon. The 5-door hatchback is the first to be offered for British customers while the 4-door saloon will arrive in the Britain this summer.

2011 MG MG6 GT interior

On the interior, the MG6 is a boastful experience for the driver. In night time, the red ambient lighting adds a nice touch on the MG6's interior, which is well suited for some nighttime getaway in London town. The MG6 GT S and the MG6 GT SE offers fabric interior while the top-of-the-line MG6 GT TSE offers leather interior, which is somewhat a brave act to follow. Since this is a 5-door hatchback, the MG6 GT is utility-wise. Imaging how many stuff you can pack on the back.

The only engine offered on the MG6 GT is the 1.8T TCI-Tech engine. This turbocharged 1.8-litre engine boasts 158bhp/5500rpm of power output and 215Nm of torque capacity. Top speed is 120 mph (limited) and accumulates 8.4 seconds in the 0-60mph run. The 5-speed manual transmission is standard on the MG6 GT, which can be somewhat a great news for thrill seekers but not quite good enough if its 5 gears. This engine consumes 35.6MPG (7.9L/100km) combined. For a cleaner driving, the emission regulation and emission controller is added for reduced emissions, resulting at a CO2 mass emission of 184g/km.

My Comment:
There's no need to celebrate MG's return to the Great Britain even when MG is still Chinese-owned. We can celebrate about the arrival of the MG6 GT, the hatchback designed and engineered in the UK for the ultimate fun-to-drive experience. My biggest criticism of all is how does the 5-speed manual be any more fun to the MG6 GT? One gear is missing on it but never mind, it's still looks good to drive. Sadly, no automatic variant available on the MG6 Hatchback, which makes it a weird news for automatic fans. The MG6 GT targets the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia Hatchback, Alfa Romeo Brera, Lancia Delta, Mazda Atenza Sport, Citroen C4, or even the Renault Megane Berline as rivals. Find out how does MG's comeback to the UK will stand.

Photo: MG Motor UK Limited