Latest news with #GilesBelcher
The Advertiser
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
2025 MG 7: Sleek Australia-bound mid-sizer sees power drop
The MG 7 has been approved for Australian roads, but it appears to have taken a hit in power. The new mid-size liftback is due to arrive in local showrooms during the second half of 2025. Government certification documents list a power output of 170kW from the MG 7's turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which is mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission. These documents don't list torque figures. In China, MG 7s with the 2.0-litre turbo four produce 192kW and 405Nm. The liftback is also offered with a 138kW/300Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine there, though this doesn't appear to be on the table for our market. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The 170kW output suggests the MG 7 could produce the same 370Nm of torque as MG HS mid-size SUVs equipped with a turbo 2.0-litre in markets like the UAE. Unusually, the MG 7's outputs vary from market to market. In the UAE, for example, it produces 184kW and 405Nm. It's not the only vehicle to be detuned for export markets, with MG QS large SUV producing 153kW/360Nm – down from 178kW/392Nm in the related Roewe RX9 in China. The documents list two different MG 7 variants, both riding on 19-inch alloy wheels. Available features in China, depending on the variant, include an electronic limited-slip differential, adaptive dampers, an adaptive three-stage electric rear wing, an augmented-reality head-up display, 14-speaker Bose sound system, 256-colour ambient lighting, and heated and power-adjustable front seats. Inside, all MG 7s feature a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster situated in the same assembly It'll be the first time MG has offered a passenger car this size in Australia since it came under Chinese ownership, and is part of the brand's expansion into new segments including utes (the U9) and large SUVs (the QS). But MG isn't expecting high volumes with its first mid-sizer in Australia. "We think it will resonate well in Australia. Again, we're not chasing Camry volume with it. It's a performance fastback sedan that looks epic, so we believe there's a place for it, so we're gonna have a go," MG Motor Australia chief commercial officer Giles Belcher told CarExpert in March. "People buy sedans if they're, I suppose, practical enough for them. Or the flipside is, are they design cool? We believe ours is practical and design cool." The number of combustion-powered medium-to-large passenger cars offered in Australia by mass-market brands has shrunk dramatically in recent years. There are now just five: the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Skoda Octavia and Superb, and Toyota Camry. Various other models have been discontinued both locally and in many cases globally in recent years. These include the Ford Mondeo, Mazda 6, Peugeot 508, and Volkswagen Passat and Arteon. Content originally sourced from: The MG 7 has been approved for Australian roads, but it appears to have taken a hit in power. The new mid-size liftback is due to arrive in local showrooms during the second half of 2025. Government certification documents list a power output of 170kW from the MG 7's turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which is mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission. These documents don't list torque figures. In China, MG 7s with the 2.0-litre turbo four produce 192kW and 405Nm. The liftback is also offered with a 138kW/300Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine there, though this doesn't appear to be on the table for our market. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The 170kW output suggests the MG 7 could produce the same 370Nm of torque as MG HS mid-size SUVs equipped with a turbo 2.0-litre in markets like the UAE. Unusually, the MG 7's outputs vary from market to market. In the UAE, for example, it produces 184kW and 405Nm. It's not the only vehicle to be detuned for export markets, with MG QS large SUV producing 153kW/360Nm – down from 178kW/392Nm in the related Roewe RX9 in China. The documents list two different MG 7 variants, both riding on 19-inch alloy wheels. Available features in China, depending on the variant, include an electronic limited-slip differential, adaptive dampers, an adaptive three-stage electric rear wing, an augmented-reality head-up display, 14-speaker Bose sound system, 256-colour ambient lighting, and heated and power-adjustable front seats. Inside, all MG 7s feature a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster situated in the same assembly It'll be the first time MG has offered a passenger car this size in Australia since it came under Chinese ownership, and is part of the brand's expansion into new segments including utes (the U9) and large SUVs (the QS). But MG isn't expecting high volumes with its first mid-sizer in Australia. "We think it will resonate well in Australia. Again, we're not chasing Camry volume with it. It's a performance fastback sedan that looks epic, so we believe there's a place for it, so we're gonna have a go," MG Motor Australia chief commercial officer Giles Belcher told CarExpert in March. "People buy sedans if they're, I suppose, practical enough for them. Or the flipside is, are they design cool? We believe ours is practical and design cool." The number of combustion-powered medium-to-large passenger cars offered in Australia by mass-market brands has shrunk dramatically in recent years. There are now just five: the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Skoda Octavia and Superb, and Toyota Camry. Various other models have been discontinued both locally and in many cases globally in recent years. These include the Ford Mondeo, Mazda 6, Peugeot 508, and Volkswagen Passat and Arteon. Content originally sourced from: The MG 7 has been approved for Australian roads, but it appears to have taken a hit in power. The new mid-size liftback is due to arrive in local showrooms during the second half of 2025. Government certification documents list a power output of 170kW from the MG 7's turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which is mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission. These documents don't list torque figures. In China, MG 7s with the 2.0-litre turbo four produce 192kW and 405Nm. The liftback is also offered with a 138kW/300Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine there, though this doesn't appear to be on the table for our market. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The 170kW output suggests the MG 7 could produce the same 370Nm of torque as MG HS mid-size SUVs equipped with a turbo 2.0-litre in markets like the UAE. Unusually, the MG 7's outputs vary from market to market. In the UAE, for example, it produces 184kW and 405Nm. It's not the only vehicle to be detuned for export markets, with MG QS large SUV producing 153kW/360Nm – down from 178kW/392Nm in the related Roewe RX9 in China. The documents list two different MG 7 variants, both riding on 19-inch alloy wheels. Available features in China, depending on the variant, include an electronic limited-slip differential, adaptive dampers, an adaptive three-stage electric rear wing, an augmented-reality head-up display, 14-speaker Bose sound system, 256-colour ambient lighting, and heated and power-adjustable front seats. Inside, all MG 7s feature a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster situated in the same assembly It'll be the first time MG has offered a passenger car this size in Australia since it came under Chinese ownership, and is part of the brand's expansion into new segments including utes (the U9) and large SUVs (the QS). But MG isn't expecting high volumes with its first mid-sizer in Australia. "We think it will resonate well in Australia. Again, we're not chasing Camry volume with it. It's a performance fastback sedan that looks epic, so we believe there's a place for it, so we're gonna have a go," MG Motor Australia chief commercial officer Giles Belcher told CarExpert in March. "People buy sedans if they're, I suppose, practical enough for them. Or the flipside is, are they design cool? We believe ours is practical and design cool." The number of combustion-powered medium-to-large passenger cars offered in Australia by mass-market brands has shrunk dramatically in recent years. There are now just five: the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Skoda Octavia and Superb, and Toyota Camry. Various other models have been discontinued both locally and in many cases globally in recent years. These include the Ford Mondeo, Mazda 6, Peugeot 508, and Volkswagen Passat and Arteon. Content originally sourced from: The MG 7 has been approved for Australian roads, but it appears to have taken a hit in power. The new mid-size liftback is due to arrive in local showrooms during the second half of 2025. Government certification documents list a power output of 170kW from the MG 7's turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which is mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission. These documents don't list torque figures. In China, MG 7s with the 2.0-litre turbo four produce 192kW and 405Nm. The liftback is also offered with a 138kW/300Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine there, though this doesn't appear to be on the table for our market. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The 170kW output suggests the MG 7 could produce the same 370Nm of torque as MG HS mid-size SUVs equipped with a turbo 2.0-litre in markets like the UAE. Unusually, the MG 7's outputs vary from market to market. In the UAE, for example, it produces 184kW and 405Nm. It's not the only vehicle to be detuned for export markets, with MG QS large SUV producing 153kW/360Nm – down from 178kW/392Nm in the related Roewe RX9 in China. The documents list two different MG 7 variants, both riding on 19-inch alloy wheels. Available features in China, depending on the variant, include an electronic limited-slip differential, adaptive dampers, an adaptive three-stage electric rear wing, an augmented-reality head-up display, 14-speaker Bose sound system, 256-colour ambient lighting, and heated and power-adjustable front seats. Inside, all MG 7s feature a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster situated in the same assembly It'll be the first time MG has offered a passenger car this size in Australia since it came under Chinese ownership, and is part of the brand's expansion into new segments including utes (the U9) and large SUVs (the QS). But MG isn't expecting high volumes with its first mid-sizer in Australia. "We think it will resonate well in Australia. Again, we're not chasing Camry volume with it. It's a performance fastback sedan that looks epic, so we believe there's a place for it, so we're gonna have a go," MG Motor Australia chief commercial officer Giles Belcher told CarExpert in March. "People buy sedans if they're, I suppose, practical enough for them. Or the flipside is, are they design cool? We believe ours is practical and design cool." The number of combustion-powered medium-to-large passenger cars offered in Australia by mass-market brands has shrunk dramatically in recent years. There are now just five: the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Skoda Octavia and Superb, and Toyota Camry. Various other models have been discontinued both locally and in many cases globally in recent years. These include the Ford Mondeo, Mazda 6, Peugeot 508, and Volkswagen Passat and Arteon. Content originally sourced from:
7NEWS
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
2025 MG 7: Sleek Australia-bound mid-sizer sees power drop
The MG 7 has been approved for Australian roads, but it appears to have taken a hit in power. The new mid-size liftback is due to arrive in local showrooms during the second half of 2025. Government certification documents list a power output of 170kW from the MG 7's turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which is mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission. These documents don't list torque figures. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today In China, MG 7s with the 2.0-litre turbo four produce 192kW and 405Nm. The liftback is also offered with a 138kW/300Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine there, though this doesn't appear to be on the table for our market. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The 170kW output suggests the MG 7 could produce the same 370Nm of torque as MG HS mid-size SUVs equipped with a turbo 2.0-litre in markets like the UAE. Unusually, the MG 7's outputs vary from market to market. In the UAE, for example, it produces 184kW and 405Nm. It's not the only vehicle to be detuned for export markets, with MG QS large SUV producing 153kW/360Nm – down from 178kW/392Nm in the related Roewe RX9 in China. The documents list two different MG 7 variants, both riding on 19-inch alloy wheels. Available features in China, depending on the variant, include an electronic limited-slip differential, adaptive dampers, an adaptive three-stage electric rear wing, an augmented-reality head-up display, 14-speaker Bose sound system, 256-colour ambient lighting, and heated and power-adjustable front seats. Inside, all MG 7s feature a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster situated in the same assembly It'll be the first time MG has offered a passenger car this size in Australia since it came under Chinese ownership, and is part of the brand's expansion into new segments including utes (the U9) and large SUVs (the QS). But MG isn't expecting high volumes with its first mid-sizer in Australia. 'We think it will resonate well in Australia. Again, we're not chasing Camry volume with it. It's a performance fastback sedan that looks epic, so we believe there's a place for it, so we're gonna have a go,' MG Motor Australia chief commercial officer Giles Belcher told CarExpert in March. 'People buy sedans if they're, I suppose, practical enough for them. Or the flipside is, are they design cool? We believe ours is practical and design cool.' The number of combustion-powered medium-to-large passenger cars offered in Australia by mass-market brands has shrunk dramatically in recent years.
Perth Now
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
2025 MG 7: Sleek Australia-bound mid-sizer sees power drop
The MG 7 has been approved for Australian roads, but it appears to have taken a hit in power. The new mid-size liftback is due to arrive in local showrooms during the second half of 2025. Government certification documents list a power output of 170kW from the MG 7's turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which is mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission. These documents don't list torque figures. In China, MG 7s with the 2.0-litre turbo four produce 192kW and 405Nm. The liftback is also offered with a 138kW/300Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine there, though this doesn't appear to be on the table for our market. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The 170kW output suggests the MG 7 could produce the same 370Nm of torque as MG HS mid-size SUVs equipped with a turbo 2.0-litre in markets like the UAE. Unusually, the MG 7's outputs vary from market to market. In the UAE, for example, it produces 184kW and 405Nm. It's not the only vehicle to be detuned for export markets, with MG QS large SUV producing 153kW/360Nm – down from 178kW/392Nm in the related Roewe RX9 in China. The documents list two different MG 7 variants, both riding on 19-inch alloy wheels. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Available features in China, depending on the variant, include an electronic limited-slip differential, adaptive dampers, an adaptive three-stage electric rear wing, an augmented-reality head-up display, 14-speaker Bose sound system, 256-colour ambient lighting, and heated and power-adjustable front seats. Inside, all MG 7s feature a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster situated in the same assembly It'll be the first time MG has offered a passenger car this size in Australia since it came under Chinese ownership, and is part of the brand's expansion into new segments including utes (the U9) and large SUVs (the QS). But MG isn't expecting high volumes with its first mid-sizer in Australia. Supplied Credit: CarExpert 'We think it will resonate well in Australia. Again, we're not chasing Camry volume with it. It's a performance fastback sedan that looks epic, so we believe there's a place for it, so we're gonna have a go,' MG Motor Australia chief commercial officer Giles Belcher told CarExpert in March. 'People buy sedans if they're, I suppose, practical enough for them. Or the flipside is, are they design cool? We believe ours is practical and design cool.' The number of combustion-powered medium-to-large passenger cars offered in Australia by mass-market brands has shrunk dramatically in recent years. There are now just five: the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Skoda Octavia and Superb, and Toyota Camry. Various other models have been discontinued both locally and in many cases globally in recent years. These include the Ford Mondeo, Mazda 6, Peugeot 508, and Volkswagen Passat and Arteon.
Canberra Times
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- Canberra Times
2025 MG 7: Sleek Australia-bound mid-sizer sees power drop
"We think it will resonate well in Australia. Again, we're not chasing Camry volume with it. It's a performance fastback sedan that looks epic, so we believe there's a place for it, so we're gonna have a go," MG Motor Australia chief commercial officer Giles Belcher told CarExpert in March.
The Advertiser
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
2026 MG U9 ute: Payload, GVM and other key details revealed for Ford Ranger rival
The upcoming MG U9 ute has received Australian Design Rule certification that approves it for local roads, and documents seen by CarExpert have revealed some key figures for the first time. The first ute to wear the MG nameplate in Australia is due for release here during the fourth quarter of 2025. Two variants appear in the approval documents, both of which are dual-cab pickups powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine producing 160kW of power and mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and what's referred to as an automatic all-wheel drive system. A torque figure isn't listed, though Chinese data suggests it will be 520Nm. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. While both unnamed variants have a braked towing capacity of 3500kg, matching the class leaders, they differ in both tare mass and gross vehicle mass. The former has a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 3500kg and a tare mass of 2398kg, from which we can calculate a payload figure of 1102kg. The other variant has a GVM of 3320kg and a tare mass of 2498kg, resulting in a payload figure of 822kg. The MG U9 measures a sizeable 5500mm long, 1997mm wide and 1860mm tall on a 3300mm wheelbase. An optional luggage rack bumps height up to 1874mm. For context, the Ford Ranger 4×4 dual-cab measures 5403mm long, 1918mm wide and 1886mm tall on a 3270mm wheelbase, making the new MG ute notably larger. Dual-cab Rangers also offer a payload figure of between 929kg and 1018kg depending on the variant. Ground clearance for the MG is 220mm, and the U9 will ride on either 18- or optional 20-inch wheels. Other previously confirmed available features include a massaging driver's seat, "flexible seat functionality to maximise storage and comfort", a JBL sound system, and even walkthrough cab/tub capability. While the U9 is a rebadged version of the upcoming LDV Terron 9, there won't be an EV counterpart for the upcoming eTerron 9 electric ute from MG's SAIC sister brand LDV, at least initially. "We're considering other drivetrains [for the U9] at the moment, but probably not the EV in the first instance. We're considering something else [like] plug in hybrid," said chief commercial officer Giles Belcher earlier this year. Local testing of the U9 is underway, and MG has joined forces with the likes of HSP, ARB, and AutoPacific to prepare a suite of genuine accessories including bullbars, protection, tub lids and load racks to be made available as dealer options. The U9 is a key part of MG's plan to become a top-three auto brand in Australia by the end of this decade, and will be one of a raft of new models it releases in new segments for the brand. This also includes the seven-seat QS large SUV and the more premium IM5 and IM6 electric vehicles (EVs), all of which will reach local showrooms in the coming months. MORE: MG's new ute to be available with tough Australian-made accessories Content originally sourced from: The upcoming MG U9 ute has received Australian Design Rule certification that approves it for local roads, and documents seen by CarExpert have revealed some key figures for the first time. The first ute to wear the MG nameplate in Australia is due for release here during the fourth quarter of 2025. Two variants appear in the approval documents, both of which are dual-cab pickups powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine producing 160kW of power and mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and what's referred to as an automatic all-wheel drive system. A torque figure isn't listed, though Chinese data suggests it will be 520Nm. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. While both unnamed variants have a braked towing capacity of 3500kg, matching the class leaders, they differ in both tare mass and gross vehicle mass. The former has a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 3500kg and a tare mass of 2398kg, from which we can calculate a payload figure of 1102kg. The other variant has a GVM of 3320kg and a tare mass of 2498kg, resulting in a payload figure of 822kg. The MG U9 measures a sizeable 5500mm long, 1997mm wide and 1860mm tall on a 3300mm wheelbase. An optional luggage rack bumps height up to 1874mm. For context, the Ford Ranger 4×4 dual-cab measures 5403mm long, 1918mm wide and 1886mm tall on a 3270mm wheelbase, making the new MG ute notably larger. Dual-cab Rangers also offer a payload figure of between 929kg and 1018kg depending on the variant. Ground clearance for the MG is 220mm, and the U9 will ride on either 18- or optional 20-inch wheels. Other previously confirmed available features include a massaging driver's seat, "flexible seat functionality to maximise storage and comfort", a JBL sound system, and even walkthrough cab/tub capability. While the U9 is a rebadged version of the upcoming LDV Terron 9, there won't be an EV counterpart for the upcoming eTerron 9 electric ute from MG's SAIC sister brand LDV, at least initially. "We're considering other drivetrains [for the U9] at the moment, but probably not the EV in the first instance. We're considering something else [like] plug in hybrid," said chief commercial officer Giles Belcher earlier this year. Local testing of the U9 is underway, and MG has joined forces with the likes of HSP, ARB, and AutoPacific to prepare a suite of genuine accessories including bullbars, protection, tub lids and load racks to be made available as dealer options. The U9 is a key part of MG's plan to become a top-three auto brand in Australia by the end of this decade, and will be one of a raft of new models it releases in new segments for the brand. This also includes the seven-seat QS large SUV and the more premium IM5 and IM6 electric vehicles (EVs), all of which will reach local showrooms in the coming months. MORE: MG's new ute to be available with tough Australian-made accessories Content originally sourced from: The upcoming MG U9 ute has received Australian Design Rule certification that approves it for local roads, and documents seen by CarExpert have revealed some key figures for the first time. The first ute to wear the MG nameplate in Australia is due for release here during the fourth quarter of 2025. Two variants appear in the approval documents, both of which are dual-cab pickups powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine producing 160kW of power and mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and what's referred to as an automatic all-wheel drive system. A torque figure isn't listed, though Chinese data suggests it will be 520Nm. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. While both unnamed variants have a braked towing capacity of 3500kg, matching the class leaders, they differ in both tare mass and gross vehicle mass. The former has a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 3500kg and a tare mass of 2398kg, from which we can calculate a payload figure of 1102kg. The other variant has a GVM of 3320kg and a tare mass of 2498kg, resulting in a payload figure of 822kg. The MG U9 measures a sizeable 5500mm long, 1997mm wide and 1860mm tall on a 3300mm wheelbase. An optional luggage rack bumps height up to 1874mm. For context, the Ford Ranger 4×4 dual-cab measures 5403mm long, 1918mm wide and 1886mm tall on a 3270mm wheelbase, making the new MG ute notably larger. Dual-cab Rangers also offer a payload figure of between 929kg and 1018kg depending on the variant. Ground clearance for the MG is 220mm, and the U9 will ride on either 18- or optional 20-inch wheels. Other previously confirmed available features include a massaging driver's seat, "flexible seat functionality to maximise storage and comfort", a JBL sound system, and even walkthrough cab/tub capability. While the U9 is a rebadged version of the upcoming LDV Terron 9, there won't be an EV counterpart for the upcoming eTerron 9 electric ute from MG's SAIC sister brand LDV, at least initially. "We're considering other drivetrains [for the U9] at the moment, but probably not the EV in the first instance. We're considering something else [like] plug in hybrid," said chief commercial officer Giles Belcher earlier this year. Local testing of the U9 is underway, and MG has joined forces with the likes of HSP, ARB, and AutoPacific to prepare a suite of genuine accessories including bullbars, protection, tub lids and load racks to be made available as dealer options. The U9 is a key part of MG's plan to become a top-three auto brand in Australia by the end of this decade, and will be one of a raft of new models it releases in new segments for the brand. This also includes the seven-seat QS large SUV and the more premium IM5 and IM6 electric vehicles (EVs), all of which will reach local showrooms in the coming months. MORE: MG's new ute to be available with tough Australian-made accessories Content originally sourced from: The upcoming MG U9 ute has received Australian Design Rule certification that approves it for local roads, and documents seen by CarExpert have revealed some key figures for the first time. The first ute to wear the MG nameplate in Australia is due for release here during the fourth quarter of 2025. Two variants appear in the approval documents, both of which are dual-cab pickups powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine producing 160kW of power and mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and what's referred to as an automatic all-wheel drive system. A torque figure isn't listed, though Chinese data suggests it will be 520Nm. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. While both unnamed variants have a braked towing capacity of 3500kg, matching the class leaders, they differ in both tare mass and gross vehicle mass. The former has a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 3500kg and a tare mass of 2398kg, from which we can calculate a payload figure of 1102kg. The other variant has a GVM of 3320kg and a tare mass of 2498kg, resulting in a payload figure of 822kg. The MG U9 measures a sizeable 5500mm long, 1997mm wide and 1860mm tall on a 3300mm wheelbase. An optional luggage rack bumps height up to 1874mm. For context, the Ford Ranger 4×4 dual-cab measures 5403mm long, 1918mm wide and 1886mm tall on a 3270mm wheelbase, making the new MG ute notably larger. Dual-cab Rangers also offer a payload figure of between 929kg and 1018kg depending on the variant. Ground clearance for the MG is 220mm, and the U9 will ride on either 18- or optional 20-inch wheels. Other previously confirmed available features include a massaging driver's seat, "flexible seat functionality to maximise storage and comfort", a JBL sound system, and even walkthrough cab/tub capability. While the U9 is a rebadged version of the upcoming LDV Terron 9, there won't be an EV counterpart for the upcoming eTerron 9 electric ute from MG's SAIC sister brand LDV, at least initially. "We're considering other drivetrains [for the U9] at the moment, but probably not the EV in the first instance. We're considering something else [like] plug in hybrid," said chief commercial officer Giles Belcher earlier this year. Local testing of the U9 is underway, and MG has joined forces with the likes of HSP, ARB, and AutoPacific to prepare a suite of genuine accessories including bullbars, protection, tub lids and load racks to be made available as dealer options. The U9 is a key part of MG's plan to become a top-three auto brand in Australia by the end of this decade, and will be one of a raft of new models it releases in new segments for the brand. This also includes the seven-seat QS large SUV and the more premium IM5 and IM6 electric vehicles (EVs), all of which will reach local showrooms in the coming months. MORE: MG's new ute to be available with tough Australian-made accessories Content originally sourced from:
