Drove the MG6 today
GeplaatstCOLON do mei 26, 2011 8:24 pm
Many thanks to John Newey ( http://www.summitgarage.co.uk/ ) I was lucky enough to attend a MG VIP Test day up at Prodrive today http://www.mg.co.uk/news-events/latest- ... CH_WEEKEND.
Wow that MG6 is good!
Thankyou very much for your initial invite (last month) and for arranging today for me with the MG6 GT up at Prodrive.
I was very impressed, on the road, on the track, and amazed on the other test sections.
Now I knew it was going to handle and ride well from what both John Newey and John Wilcox (AE Wilcox Service Manager http://www.aewilcox.co.uk/ = my local MG Rover Dealer of many years) had told me, as well as what the likes of Geoff (MG ZT400 Supercharged V8) and Brian SVR had told me from the same event a few weeks ago. The work that Ian Pogson, Andy Kitson and the team had done on the 85th Anniversary TF was also a good clue (I still remember the suspension test track Ian!). I was amazed how good it was on the track, and I am convinced that the chassis etc could certainly cope with more power under the bonnet, but lets not kid anyone, my last name isn't Luti (be that Claire, Brian or Paul!) so I'm not really qualified to comment on how it is out on track. http://www.racethemg.com/
I was amazed at how good the electronic aids were on the wet and icy road simulation, and emercency evasion / stop sections today. I would hope never to be in the same situations as today, but it's always good to know the car can get you / keep you out of trouble.
I may be better qualified to comment about the on road experience. Up until 18 months ago, for the best part of 15 years I was driving approx 60,000 miles a year (combined work and pleasure) in a very wide range of works cars from Rover 25/45/75, Golf, Focus, Astra up to E class Merc's, X5 and 5 series BMW's, as well as my own MG's etc. One things for sure the comfort in the back of the MG6 is much better than my bosses new 5 series!! In the drivers seat of the MG6 it's a very nice place to be, that became apparent very quickly out on the road. I was very impressed.
I guess partially due to it's weight, refinement and quietness inside, it didn't seem as quick on the move as say my Diesel ZS (which will push me back into the drivers seat, in 4th and 5th if provoked!). I am sure a factory backed tuning kit could rectify that though (like the good old XPower days. I know their kit transformed my TF160). I would be interested in the official 4th (& 5th) gear 30-50 and 50-70 times, just to see if it was my imagination or not.I was impressed though how you could go into a tight slow corner (on the track) in 3rd and it had the low down torque to pull from low speeds in 3rd on existing the corner.
Would I tell people that it's a great car? Having driven it today, most definitely, and I would also encourage them to drive one as well, before they make up their minds. As one of the MG people said to me after lunch (the guy involved with the Dealers) "it's almost like all MG dealers should have a mini Prodrive track / facility onsite". I think then any potential customer would be totally smitten!
Would I buy one? To be honest, I don't have £20k (for the Top Spec car) burning a hole in my pocket. If I did, my V8 ZT would be on it's way up to Dreadnought for a Supercharger and Sean Hyland bottom end engine upgrade. Having said that, I would still hope to have £10k left over for a good used Turbo Diesel MG6 Saloon! I best start saving!!!
Overall, well done MG, I think the future looks good!
Some views from others that attended the same event a few weeks ago : -
From Geoff (a Supercharged V8 ZT400 owner) : -
"Well Ive done it today had my first drive in the new MG6 thanks to John Newey of Summit Garage, and I can confirm it is a fantastic drive, ride is good
controls smooth and easy especially the gearbox more like a switch than a mechanical change its so good, engine felt remarkably punchy given its size and
relatively low miles, not badly priced at 17K for a mid range,I liked the high up
nav screen, better than ours as you have to keep looking down ,ride was superb even over rough bits with no clonking or creaking in the bigger pot holes all in all a good package, only thing I didnt like was the colour which was red, I think they look better in silver, there again dont most cars would I buy one ? yes
very impressed, "
and from Adrian (a MG SVR owner) talking about his MG6 VIP test day :-
" Re: Another MOT over and an MG6 to test drive
What a great day - a nice blast to Warwickshire in Buster and the chance to get up close and personal with the new MG - and boy, does this car deserve it's badge!
Our group was the one of the luckiest, we had to wait to go and play until the end of the afternoon - the tyres and tarmac had been warmed and it was a superb climax to the day.
After spending the first few hours going back through the history of MG and the rationale and heritage behind the new models, we moved onto the technical poking and prodding stage and yes, I agree a V6 would certainly fit under the bonnet, maybe even a compact V8.
A well made, nicely presented and good looking car, I don't think any of the photos I have previously seen really did it justice. Paint work looked deep and lustrous, panel gaps spot on and the interior trim and equipment on the TSE is amazing for a car priced under £20,000.
On the track? Nah, you wouldn't want to know...
An absolute bloody scream! The engine performs brilliantly, even power through the rev range, no detectable turbo lag, agile, positive, responsive and sure-footed. We were all pushing the car hard within the limited 3 laps of the high speed circuit and I don't think anyone could fail to be impressed at how well the 6 was performing especially when considering it was 'three up'.
The skid pan showed off it's traction control system brilliantly - it just would not let go and got the car pointing back in the direction you wanted in an incredibly reassuring manner.
The Adverse handling had us braking from 70 to 0 in about 30-40 feet, whilst switching lanes - I cannot explain how it didn't matter how brutally you stamped on the pedal and how harshly turn the wheel - the car ended up in the next lane, looking and feeling composed and controlled. I'm still struggling with the sheer physics to be honest! a 20ft gapped slalom finished this area and pushing the 6 through at around 40 mph, it was the car's handling that kept us glued to the road, the electronics sat back and waited.
Tucked down the back of the main circuit is their 'Adverse handling circuit'. A torturously twisty, 2nd gear test bed - originally devised for the Subaru rally cars. It felt like you were throwing the MG6 down a country lane (single track), but I just couldn't get over the grip... even if you entered the corner thinking you'd overcooked it, the nose just swung round and headed off where you instructed.
Admittedly the tyre noise by the end of this torture, was starting to build, not made any better when the MG 'Stig' took us around the same circuit at mind numbing speeds with liberal use of the 'turning lever'.
Tyres shot, brakes smoking, it was time to call it a day, but what a day.
Very impressed - if this is an indication of the direction of the new MG and a demonstration of their build, then they are going to be around for a good lot longer.
Top marks MG - your people and car have me convinced"
I hope you guys in Europe get the Left hand Driver versions out there soon!
Wow that MG6 is good!
Thankyou very much for your initial invite (last month) and for arranging today for me with the MG6 GT up at Prodrive.
I was very impressed, on the road, on the track, and amazed on the other test sections.
Now I knew it was going to handle and ride well from what both John Newey and John Wilcox (AE Wilcox Service Manager http://www.aewilcox.co.uk/ = my local MG Rover Dealer of many years) had told me, as well as what the likes of Geoff (MG ZT400 Supercharged V8) and Brian SVR had told me from the same event a few weeks ago. The work that Ian Pogson, Andy Kitson and the team had done on the 85th Anniversary TF was also a good clue (I still remember the suspension test track Ian!). I was amazed how good it was on the track, and I am convinced that the chassis etc could certainly cope with more power under the bonnet, but lets not kid anyone, my last name isn't Luti (be that Claire, Brian or Paul!) so I'm not really qualified to comment on how it is out on track. http://www.racethemg.com/
I was amazed at how good the electronic aids were on the wet and icy road simulation, and emercency evasion / stop sections today. I would hope never to be in the same situations as today, but it's always good to know the car can get you / keep you out of trouble.
I may be better qualified to comment about the on road experience. Up until 18 months ago, for the best part of 15 years I was driving approx 60,000 miles a year (combined work and pleasure) in a very wide range of works cars from Rover 25/45/75, Golf, Focus, Astra up to E class Merc's, X5 and 5 series BMW's, as well as my own MG's etc. One things for sure the comfort in the back of the MG6 is much better than my bosses new 5 series!! In the drivers seat of the MG6 it's a very nice place to be, that became apparent very quickly out on the road. I was very impressed.
I guess partially due to it's weight, refinement and quietness inside, it didn't seem as quick on the move as say my Diesel ZS (which will push me back into the drivers seat, in 4th and 5th if provoked!). I am sure a factory backed tuning kit could rectify that though (like the good old XPower days. I know their kit transformed my TF160). I would be interested in the official 4th (& 5th) gear 30-50 and 50-70 times, just to see if it was my imagination or not.I was impressed though how you could go into a tight slow corner (on the track) in 3rd and it had the low down torque to pull from low speeds in 3rd on existing the corner.
Would I tell people that it's a great car? Having driven it today, most definitely, and I would also encourage them to drive one as well, before they make up their minds. As one of the MG people said to me after lunch (the guy involved with the Dealers) "it's almost like all MG dealers should have a mini Prodrive track / facility onsite". I think then any potential customer would be totally smitten!
Would I buy one? To be honest, I don't have £20k (for the Top Spec car) burning a hole in my pocket. If I did, my V8 ZT would be on it's way up to Dreadnought for a Supercharger and Sean Hyland bottom end engine upgrade. Having said that, I would still hope to have £10k left over for a good used Turbo Diesel MG6 Saloon! I best start saving!!!
Overall, well done MG, I think the future looks good!
Some views from others that attended the same event a few weeks ago : -
From Geoff (a Supercharged V8 ZT400 owner) : -
"Well Ive done it today had my first drive in the new MG6 thanks to John Newey of Summit Garage, and I can confirm it is a fantastic drive, ride is good
controls smooth and easy especially the gearbox more like a switch than a mechanical change its so good, engine felt remarkably punchy given its size and
relatively low miles, not badly priced at 17K for a mid range,I liked the high up
nav screen, better than ours as you have to keep looking down ,ride was superb even over rough bits with no clonking or creaking in the bigger pot holes all in all a good package, only thing I didnt like was the colour which was red, I think they look better in silver, there again dont most cars would I buy one ? yes
very impressed, "
and from Adrian (a MG SVR owner) talking about his MG6 VIP test day :-
" Re: Another MOT over and an MG6 to test drive
What a great day - a nice blast to Warwickshire in Buster and the chance to get up close and personal with the new MG - and boy, does this car deserve it's badge!
Our group was the one of the luckiest, we had to wait to go and play until the end of the afternoon - the tyres and tarmac had been warmed and it was a superb climax to the day.
After spending the first few hours going back through the history of MG and the rationale and heritage behind the new models, we moved onto the technical poking and prodding stage and yes, I agree a V6 would certainly fit under the bonnet, maybe even a compact V8.
A well made, nicely presented and good looking car, I don't think any of the photos I have previously seen really did it justice. Paint work looked deep and lustrous, panel gaps spot on and the interior trim and equipment on the TSE is amazing for a car priced under £20,000.
On the track? Nah, you wouldn't want to know...
An absolute bloody scream! The engine performs brilliantly, even power through the rev range, no detectable turbo lag, agile, positive, responsive and sure-footed. We were all pushing the car hard within the limited 3 laps of the high speed circuit and I don't think anyone could fail to be impressed at how well the 6 was performing especially when considering it was 'three up'.
The skid pan showed off it's traction control system brilliantly - it just would not let go and got the car pointing back in the direction you wanted in an incredibly reassuring manner.
The Adverse handling had us braking from 70 to 0 in about 30-40 feet, whilst switching lanes - I cannot explain how it didn't matter how brutally you stamped on the pedal and how harshly turn the wheel - the car ended up in the next lane, looking and feeling composed and controlled. I'm still struggling with the sheer physics to be honest! a 20ft gapped slalom finished this area and pushing the 6 through at around 40 mph, it was the car's handling that kept us glued to the road, the electronics sat back and waited.
Tucked down the back of the main circuit is their 'Adverse handling circuit'. A torturously twisty, 2nd gear test bed - originally devised for the Subaru rally cars. It felt like you were throwing the MG6 down a country lane (single track), but I just couldn't get over the grip... even if you entered the corner thinking you'd overcooked it, the nose just swung round and headed off where you instructed.
Admittedly the tyre noise by the end of this torture, was starting to build, not made any better when the MG 'Stig' took us around the same circuit at mind numbing speeds with liberal use of the 'turning lever'.
Tyres shot, brakes smoking, it was time to call it a day, but what a day.
Very impressed - if this is an indication of the direction of the new MG and a demonstration of their build, then they are going to be around for a good lot longer.
Top marks MG - your people and car have me convinced"
I hope you guys in Europe get the Left hand Driver versions out there soon!
