The MG3 is a small car produced by the Chinese automotive company SAIC. The first generation, marketed as the MG3 SW, is based on the British made Rover Streetwise, which itself was based on the Rover 25, while the second generation, introduced in 2011 is marketed simply as the MG3. It is the most popular Chinese manufactured car currently on sale in the United Kingdom.
First generation (2008)
The first generation MG3 SW is essentially a rebadged version of the Rover Streetwise, which had ceased production in April 2005 after the bankruptcy of predecessor organisation MG Rover. It started production in 2008 at SAIC's Chinese factory in Pukou, Nanjing. The MG3 SW is only on sale in China, and cannot be exported by SAIC.
Engines
Second generation (2011)
The second-generation MG3 was shown at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show, in the form of the MG Zero concept car. The new model uses an all new automotive platform with a wheelbase of 2.5 m, featuring MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle. The development work took place in the United Kingdom, with production initially in China.
The car went on sale in China in the spring of 2011. Engine options at launch consist of a choice of 1.3 (1343 cc) and 1.5 litre (1498 cc), rated at and respectively, with either a five speed manual transmission, or an Italian AMT transmission called e-shift.
MG 3 Xross
The second generation MG3 is also available in a crossover style variant (similar to the Rover Streetwise and MG3 SW), known as the MG3 Xross. The Xross is only available with the 1.5 litre engine.
Facelift (2013)
A restyled version of the MG3, with a revised front design, was announced in the spring of 2013, with sales in the United Kingdom beginning in September 2013, but only with the 1.5 litre engine option.
It was claimed that it would be built for Europe at the Longbridge plant in Birmingham alongside the larger MG6. The MG3 was assembled there from 2014 until 2016.
For 2016, the MG3 received several alterations to improve it: the installation of an EU 6 derivative of the standard 1.5-litre engine, developed by SAIC Motor UK, a stop start was fitted, and two-tone colour schemes, primarily on the red and yellow MG3's which can have either a black or white roof, were offered as options.
Engines
The MG 3 is only available with a 1.5-litre engine, which has received an EU 6 upgrade to reduce emissions, and also the addition of stop start.
MG3 Trophy
MG unveiled the MG3 Trophy Championship concept car at the MG90 event at Silverstone in June 2014.
The MG3 Trophy Championship concept, based on the MG3 production vehicle platform and created to highlight in-house engineering, design and calibration capabilities by SMTC UK at Longbridge, continues the MG tradition of club racing.
The racing concept was created solely by a team of engineers, managed by Vehicle Engineering Specialist Adrian Guyll, and based at SAIC Motor's European Design and Technical Centre (SMTC), located alongside MG Motor UK at the Longbridge site in Birmingham.
Specifications:
(increased from 106 PS) Torque 250 Nm (increased from 136 Nm) Boost 1.0 Bar 1.5 Vti Tech engine Full body-lightening programme without compromising on stiffness Limited slip differential Fully adjustable Macpherson strut front set up Bespoke anti-roll bar Adjustable front splitter Twin plane adjustable rear spoiler
Second facelift (2018)
The MG3 was revised in 2018 with a facelift to the exterior and a new interior. The interior redesign now includes space for an eight-inch touchscreen unit, which is fitted as standard to some models. The 1.5-litre engine received minor modifications to bring it up to EU 6D standards, and now rated at 140g/km for emissions. Chinese models are available with a slightly more powerful 1.5 litre engine option mated to a four speed automatic gearbox. In Thailand, the MG3 was launched on 21 June 2018. The models were only in 1.5L engine and four speed automatic. Transmission included 1.5 C, 1.5 D, 1.5 X Sunroof and 1.5 V Sunroof. In Brunei, the MG 3 was launched since the middle of 2019. The models were only in 1.5L engine and four speed automatic. Transmission included Core and Excite.