MG aims to make an impact in the fleet sector

A best-of-both-worlds compromise is set to give an iconic British sports car firm the chance to win rich pickings in the fleet sector.

Fastback and four-door models from MG will undercut C-sector pacesetters like the Focus and Golf in price when they go on sale in spring and summer but will have significantly greater interior space.

“Starting at under £15,000, these five-seat cars promise to win a lot of attention from business motorists who enjoy driving. I’m confident we’ll make an impact with vehicles that represent a great blend of driving dynamics and affordability,” said sales and marketing director Guy Jones.

Speaking as the saloon version of the MG6 was revealed at the Birmingham factory where it will soon be assembled alongside its Fastback sister, he claimed the four-door car would be unique in its sector.

“German premium brands build sporting saloons, but no-one makes anything like the MG6 – we’ll be setting the pace with a product that offers prestige motoring that’s affordable.

“We thought only 15 per cent of prospective buyers would opt for the saloon version, but research suggests it is likely to account for 40 per cent of the model mix,” he told Fleet News.

As both MG6 models will be launched with 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engines, discussions with fleets will not start until next year, when a 1.9-litre turbodiesel power unit becomes available.

“Performance details are still to be announced, but it will be fully competitive in terms of fuel economy, emissions and operating costs,” he said.

Higher equipment levels that include satellite navigation, parking sensors and a reversing camera are likely to make the saloon up to £1,000 more costly than the Fastback, depending on trim level but Fleet News understands that the top-specification version will cost around £20,000.

Eighty per cent built in China for final assembly at the former Rover factory in Longbridge, the Fastback will go on sale in May, followed by the saloon in July. Volume of 2,000 in the first 12 months is expected to double with the availability of diesel. A C-sector car based on the Zero concept on sale at the end of next year and an SUV model also figures in the firm’s five-year plan.