MG GS, the Brand’s First SUV, Debuts in the UK

On sale in China for about a year now, the MG GS SUV has finally reached UK shores

Debuting at the 2016 London Motor Show, the MG GS features some equipment updates compared to the model sold in China. While there's no surprise when it comes to the GS' appearance, the Chinese-owned automaker has announced that an automatic DCT gearbox will be available in the UK. The dual-clutch transmission (the first of the kind offered on an MG model in the UK) will be offered as an option on the top specification model. MG says the DCT is more responsive and contributes to a much smoother ride.

"It's not only a momentous occasion to unveil our first SUV, it is also a significant moment to announce our first automatic – something many of our customers have been waiting for, and so we're thrilled to be offering it to them," said Matthew Cheyne, Head of Sales and Marketing for MG.

The MG GS will also offer a 1.5-liter turbo gasoline engine and will be available in three trim levels when it launches in the UK in June 2016. No other details were released, but MG said prices and specifications will be released at launch.

The compact SUV rides on a platform developed with MG parent company SAIC Motor. In China, the GS is available with two engine choices: a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 160 hp and a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder unit with 217 hp. Base models are front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is also available.

MG said the GS will be an affordable model as the pricing strategy will be consistent with the brand's other models.