With 148bhp and 258lb ft, the 1.9-litre (technically it’s a 1.8, but MG insists on calling it a 1.9) GT certainly doesn’t lack for performance. It’s a superb unit, quiet and refined with plenty of pull throughout the rev range. It also returned close to its claimed economy figures on a largely motorway and dual-carriageway route through the West Midlands, precisely the sort of driving duties most 6s will encounter.
Coupled to the MG 6’s excellent revised chassis, this DTi-Tech engine makes the car a more compelling proposition than it ever has been before. The 6 always had a good ride and sweet roadholding, yet it is even better now, offering up cultured cruising and entertaining dynamics.
The seats and driving position are both comfortable, while there are plenty of toys on the MG in top-line TSE specification as tested here – such as leather trim, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, a reversing camera, Bluetooth and cruise control, among others.
However, the 6’s Achilles’ heel is the lack of visual flair in the cabin, as it was already feeling dated when it was launched in 2010. It’s old-fashioned inside, while the handbrake is annoying to use and the USB slot is hidden away in a compartment to the driver’s right-hand side.
The good news here is that the better interior of the smaller MG 3 shows that the company is already improving things on this score and we can expect future MG cabins to match up to class standards.
Sliding between gears using the MG 6’s manual transmission is an easy, slick affair, while the EPAS system is one of the better-judged set-ups in either the C- or D-segment, providing a good amount of feel with consistent weighting. The brakes bite evenly and the whole car feels well resolved.
Wind and engine noise entering the cabin is well suppressed but you’ll hear perhaps a bit too much tyre roar from the 18-inch wheels fitted to the TSE.
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Sonalika make the Rover G-Series common-rail diesel...
...which could have been installed instead. More powerful (120 kW (163 PS; 161 bhp)) and stronger (380 Nm (280 lb-ft)).
...and another thing
i think not. I own one and
2014 Petrol
Unlike most people I have actually seen one of these driving around and it looks rather better in the metal than in photos. I've not sat inside so I can only assume that the cabin looks worse in real life because the pics make it look quite nice!