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Old 01-04-2011, 02:26 PM   #1
Adamanta

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Default V.I.P testdrive of the MG6
Long time no post!

I got invited by MG to spend half a day driving the new MG round the Prodrive test track in Warwickshire UK.

The day started off wih breakfast and a cup of tea supplied by MG and then kicked off by a video presentation about MGs past, present and future. We then had a presentation about the 6 and were shown the build process. Then we had about an hour to look around, sit in and really scrutinise a 6 in detail. We were given a fun little exam in which we had to answer questions MG had set by looking round the car for various clues.

....And then it was time for the track

1st up was the ABS test. There was the Prodrive instructor (apparently he was an ex BTCC driver), an older chap and me in the car. The instructor 1st demonstrated the task. We got up to 80mph and at the marker point slammed on the brakes and then swerved to avoid hitting the cones. Natural reaction is 'oh my god we're gonna spin/flip e.t.c, but the MG6 just did it with no drama and just a little bit of tyre smoke! After the ABS test we head straight for the slalom course and once again the MG changes direction with minimal body roll and so much grip that you feel so safe. Then it was time for one of 'us' to do the same. The older guy was a bit scared and wanted me to go 1st.. I'm embarrased to say that I braked before the marker as it's still a daunting thing to do and you do worry about having an 'off' but I still managed to get the tyres smoking. I was better at the slalom, matching the speed that the instructor did easily. Old guy was useless with his go... but he enjoyed it I think

Then we each did a lap of the handling circuit. Instructor went 1st obviously, and used the handbrake to get the tail out around each bend. Tyres smoking well and old guy in the back feeling queasy! On my go I didn't drive with quite so much verve but did manage some tail out action! Old guys lap was like James May driving...

Then onto the skidpan. The diffrence that traction control makes is unbelievable. This section taught me the most about car control and the benefits of all the safety devices.

So then, the car...

It handles as good as my ZS but rides so much better. Where you feel every dimple on the road in the ZS the 6 just glides over. There is a tad more bodyroll but not enough to notice unless you drive it hard like I did. The engine was 'ok'... 160bhp 1.8 turbo, but it didn't feel overly fast. There was no 'kick' like a get in my Saab turbo, but I guess most people want smooth power delivery. 9 seconds to 60 and a limited top speed of 120mph (for insurance reasons).

The cabin was superb, every toy/gizmo that you need. The seats aren't as good as mine in the ZS in the fact that they are less sporty and don't grip your body as much.

Fit and finish of all the 6's we saw and drove on the day was superb. Panel gaps were tight and even, nothing fell off and there were no squeaks or rattles.

More to follow...
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Old 01-04-2011, 02:32 PM   #2
Adamanta

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The price for the top spec version we sampled is £19,000. For that you get 18" rims, climate control, parking sensors and reversing camera, built in sat nav, leather seats, chilled storage box, usb and aux socket sound system. Plus more things that I can't remeber off hand.

Compared to its rivals it's a bargain. If you spec an Astra/Focus e.t.c to the same spec then you're looking at £21,000 and the MG beats them all on space and I would say outhandles them all, though I haven't driven the latest batch of C segment cars so I am only going on reviews of cars so far.

Bad points:

-Needs more than 1 engine at launch
-The base 1.8 turbo is £16,000, why not lauch a naturally aspirated version like they have in China and sell it for £14,000
-why only 3 years waranty?
-Saloon version should be available at lauch
-the brochure they gave us featured a chinese spec car (but only an anorak like me would notice that)

pics coming up...
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Old 01-04-2011, 02:50 PM   #3
Adamanta

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VIDEO:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRXcmuA5Vdo



Photobucket is playing up.. must be the volume of April fools day pics getting uploaded.

I'll post more pics later
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Old 01-04-2011, 03:37 PM   #4
Romarionsion

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nice, looking forward to more photos, how was in the interior quality and the drive overall?
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Old 01-04-2011, 03:47 PM   #5
Adamanta

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Quote:
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Old 01-04-2011, 03:55 PM   #6
Adamanta

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Created a Flikr account as Photobucket doesn't recognise neither my username, password or even my email address to reset it!

Hope this works...

















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Old 01-04-2011, 04:03 PM   #7
Adamanta

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more









(ORANGE ONE IS THE SAME ONE AUTOCAR DROVE^)

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Old 01-05-2011, 12:07 AM   #8
Averti$ingGuru

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Interesting posts, I'm quite interested in these cars myself. It certainly looks a cut above MGs of old, and the 1.8 160bhp turbo makes so much more sense than the old V6.
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