From a time when MG sports cars were produced locally, through a period of importation due to local content restrictions, to a complete withdrawal of the brand until a tentative return in 2011 under Chinese ownership, just to exit again in 2016, to what is now termed a New Era for the century-old marque. That, in short, encapsulates the storied history of the Octagon brand in South Africa.
MG is back, and this time, the century-old marque is fully committed to the South African market. It views its return to the country as a strategic long-term investment. Officially under the stewardship of Shanghai-based SAIC Motor, the largest automotive manufacturer in China, MG now has a robust foundation for sustainable growth and the product line-up to back this up.
After two false starts, the timing is perfect for reintroducing the brand locally. Nearly 75 years ago (in July 1950), the first MG sports car – the T-Type TD model, also known as the Midget – was assembled in South Africa. Read our Milestone article on page 72 for more on this history. The brand’s return also coincides with the establishment of Morris Garages just over a century ago.
MG’s evolution gained significant momentum in 2007, when SAIC Motor (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation), after a two-year acquisition process, became the new custodian of the octagon badge. The brand finally received the research and development boost it deserved.
Although SAIC designs and develops MG vehicles, and manufacturing mainly occurs at SAIC’s plants in China, the brand is still heavily invested in research and development in the United Kingdom. In 2018, the company opened SAIC Advanced Design London in the heart of the British capital.
The London studio allows MG to focus on innovative design concept studies and pre-concepts for future production projects by using state-of-the-art digital modelling before they are turned into more costly physical models. SAIC also produces MG vehicles in Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Taiwan, and since 2019, has become the largest single-brand car exporter from China.
In 2023, MG Motor sold approximately 840,000 vehicles globally, with 88% coming from markets outside China. And in its birthplace, the UK, MG has held the title of the fastest-growing automotive brand for the past two years.
According to Sky Zhang, General Manager for MG Motor South Africa, the brand will launch with 25 dealers and aims to grow this footprint to 60 by the end of 2025. The company has already established a National Parts Distribution Centre in Isando, Kempton Park.
Further reinforcing confidence in the brand, MG will provide a leading warranty of seven years and 200,000 km (five years/150,000 km plus an additional introductory two years/50,000 km) and a comprehensive service plan for all its vehicles. The initial three-model lineup will consist of the ZS compact crossover, the larger HS crossover/SUV, and the Cyberster, the world’s first all-electric two-seater convertible.
HALO MODEL
The Cyberster, designed by Carl Gotham, Advanced Design Director at SAIC Motor UK (he also attended the official debut of MG in Johannesburg), and Joscha Thielen, is a contemporary take on the traditional MG roadster and a fitting centennial tribute to the pioneering MG sports cars of yesteryear.
This lineage stretches back to the first MGs that were initially re-bodied and tuned-up Morris models until the likes of the 18/80 and M-Type Midget were introduced in the late 1920s. As mentioned, the first MG model assembled locally was the post-war TD, followed a few years later by the attractive MGA roadster.
So, as a tribute to the South African MG chronicles, we sourced pristine ivory-coloured examples of the MG TD and MGA roadster for a photo shoot with their latest spiritual successor. Although the Cyberster is available with two powertrain options overseas, only the dual-motor all-wheel drive flagship version will be available locally.
With its “Wind Hunter” front fascia design, distinctive electric scissor doors and arrow-shaped taillights inspired by the Union Jack, the Cyberster is an attractive roadster. With performance akin to a supercar, it is a fitting halo model for the brand.
The Cyberster has preposterous performance. It is powered by a 375 kW electric motor on the front axle and a 250 kW motor at the rear, delivering a combined power of 400 kW and torque of 725 Nm (250 Nm at the front, 475 Nm at the rear). The motors are coupled with a 77 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
With its linear acceleration, the droptop accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.2 seconds, swiftly reaching its (limited) top speed of 208 km/h. According to MG, the battery’s energy consumption is 19.1 kWh/100 km (WLTP figures), good enough for a driving range of up to 443 km (WLTP).
Based on MG’s Modular Scalable Platform, the Cyberster rides on a double-wishbone front suspension and five-link rear suspension, and an electronic diff lock is standard. Four drive modes (Comfort, Sport, Custom, and Super Sport) are available, including four regenerative braking modes and launch control.
Inside, the triple screens for the infotainment system are grouped in front of the driver and dominate the neat, high-quality interior with deep, leather-covered sports seats, Bose-branded sound system, unique electric scissor doors with safety sensors and an electric soft top that opens and closes in 9 seconds and operates at speeds up to 50 km/h.
The Cyberster will be available in limited numbers and now retails for R1,399,900. The price includes a seven-year/unlimited km warranty (five years/200,000 km on the vehicle and seven years/250,000 km on the powertrain) and a five-year/100,000 km maintenance plan.
MODERN LINE-UP: ZS
Besides the Cyberster, MG also introduced the ZS sub-compact SUV – currently the brand’s bestselling model in international markets. With over a million units sold to date, it features styling and driving controls refined in Britain to appeal to Western customers. Two trim levels are available locally: Comfort and Luxury.
The ZS is defined by a prominent mesh grille flanked by feline-inspired headlight clusters featuring projector headlamps and LED DRLs (apparently inspired by the London Eye), side sill moulding, side garnish and roof rails, with elongated wedge-shaped taillights at the rear.
Both grades run on 17” alloy wheels as standard (machined on the Luxury and silver-finished on the Comfort) and have a full suite of active and passive safety systems. The Comfort model has cloth upholstery (leatherette on the Luxury), and the Luxury features an 8” touchscreen with a reverse camera and Bluetooth with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility.
Comfort features include rear PDC, remote central locking, a four-speaker sound system on the Comfort, a six-speaker system with 3D sound for the Luxury, cruise control, and air conditioning. Boot space is 395 litres with the seats up and 1,166 litres with the seats folded away.
Competing against the Haval Jolion, Chery Tiggo Cross, Nissan Magnite, Suzuki Fronx, Toyota Starlet Cross, Kia Sonet, and Hyundai Venue, the ZS is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine that delivers 84 kW and 150 Nm of torque. Curiously, it is paired with a four-speed automatic transmission (like the Fronx). MG indicates the top speed as 195 km/h and fuel consumption as 7.1 l/100 km.
HS
Now into its second generation, the brand-new MG HS compact SUV (in essence, a redesigned Roewe RX5) has taken an evolutionary step forward aesthetically, practically and dynamically with an extensive range of new features, increased cabin space and enhanced styling. It features the now-characteristic ultra-slim “hammer-head shark” front design first seen on the groundbreaking MG4, taillights inspired by the famous Shard Building in London and 19” multi-spoke machine-finished alloy wheels.
The Haval H6-sized HS has been introduced locally with several powertrain options, including hybrid variants overseas. It is powered by a 1.5-litre turbo engine (125 kW and 275 Nm of torque) coupled with a seven-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT). A new 2.0-litre turbo powerplant, delivering 170 kW and 370 Nm of torque, is also available, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Available in two grade variants – Comfort and Luxury – the front-wheel driven HS has a full active safety package and driver assistance safety aids. It also has comprehensive passive safety features, including seatbelt warning reminders, driver/passenger/side/curtain/far side airbags (seven in total), ISOFIX+ anchorage, and an immobiliser. The HS was also recently awarded five stars in the latest Euro NCAP test.
The HS’s extensive menu of comfort and convenience features includes a 12.3” dual-screen infotainment system, virtual cockpit, electronic parking brake, rain sensor wipers, 360-degree HD view camera, keyless entry, perforated leatherette upholstery, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The Luxury variant also has a panoramic sunroof, eight-speaker audio system, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a wireless charger.
The HS (and the ZS) pricing includes a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty (five years/200,000 km on the vehicle, seven years unlimited on the engine) and a five-year/90,000 km service plan.
LAST WORD
With an extended and modern model range now on offer, and more – including hatchbacks, hybrid and mainstream electric variants – to come, as well as official backing from the SAIC parent company, MG is now well positioned to make its mark in the local market. For the Octagon brand, it will hopefully be the third time’s a charm.
Report by FERDI DE VOS | Images © RYAN ABBOTT/MG SOUTH AFRICA
