MG 14/28
The Origin of MG’s Sports Gene
MG started off as a sports car division of Morris Cars. It came to the public's attention in 1924 with the first model of the series: the MG 14/28, with a top speed of 65 mph. These cars established the MG marque as a favorite amongst sporting motorists.
The Old Number One
Smaller, faster and fun to drive
Having outgrown his sales desk job, Cecil Kimber at Morris Garages in Oxford heads into the garage and starts working on his vision; building smaller, faster and fun to drive cars. He created the first MG sports car: the Old Number One.
MG M-Type Midget
The people’s sports car
M-Type is MG's first real “people’s sports car". It is the best display of MG's courage to innovate. It’s fast, fun and affordable. The car gained immediate popularity upon its launch. .
THE MG CAR CLUB IS BORN
On the 12th of October 1930 the MG Car Club is formed. 30 MGs attend a meeting at the Roebuck Hotel, near Stevenage. The Club grew quickly and attracted over 500 members by 1933.
THE FIRST RECORD BREAKER
MG EX120 ‘The Magic Midget’ sets a land speed record, becoming the first 750cc car to exceed 100, hitting a speed of 103.13mph
MG WIN IN ITALY
MG become the first non-Italian marque to win the Mille Miglia (1000 Mile) race in Italy. MG’s K3 Magnette took a class win and MG’s place in the world of motorsport was cemented.
MG K3 Magnette
MG beats the competition
The MG K3 Magnette won the Mille Miglia, one of the toughest races in the world at the time. Captain George Eyston & Johnny Lurani were the first non-Italian team to take the 1100 cc class win.
MG TC Midget
The birth of cool
The company launched the MG TC, complete with cool features and gadgets. MG produced over 10.000 TC cars. It started the American craze for British sports cars.
AMERICA FALLS IN LOVE WITH MG
World War II saw thousands of American servicemen head to Great Britain and Europe as part of the war effort – during their time in the UK they came across the MG T Type sports cars and many took them home to America. Britain’s export drive saw huge numbers and the USA became MG’s most important export market.
MGLIVE! IS BORN
The first Silverstone International Race Meeting, today known as MGLive! is held. The event has been held annually every year since.
MG ZA Magnette
The year of the classic Magnette
Initially, the MG ZA Magnette raised a lot of eyebrows. However, its solid performance and superior features made it everyone’s favourite in no time.
THE MGA
Arguably the most beautiful car to wear the MG octagon, the MGA arrived in 1955. Originally powered by a 1500cc engine, this was increased to 1600cc in 1959. Alongside these cars MG also produced a Twin-cam model, producing 106bhp. Over 100,000 MGAs were produced, with almost 95,000 of these exported from the UK.
MG EX181
Record breakers
MG took speed to new heights in the period of 1954-1959 with two new record breakers.
The EX181 also known as the Roaring Raindrop was taken to the record-breaking speed of 245.64mph (395.31 kmh) on the Bonneville Salts flats legendary driver Sir Stirling in 1957. Then two years later it broke that record reaching 254.91 mph (410.23 kmh) when driven by fellow F1 racer Phil Hill.
ANOTHER RECORD BREAKER
MG returned to the salt two years and set more records. American driver Phil Hill took the MG to 254.91mph. The enlarged 1506cc supercharged, twin cam engine, developed over 300bhp and remains the fastest MG ever.
THE MGB
The best-selling MG of all time, the MGB roadster, arrived in 1962. It’s arguably the first modern MG, since it was the first car from the marque to use monocoque construction, rather than a separate chassis as the MGA and others had. Like the MGA before, the majority of MGB’s would be sent to the United States. It remained in production until 1980.
THE MG BGT
The BGT arrived in 1965, making the MGB a genuine ‘Grand Tourer’. The new roof styling came courtesy of the legendary Italian design house Pininfarina and combined the B’s sporting appeal with the practicality of a hatchback.
THE MGC AND MGC GT
The MGB proved a huge success for MG and this led to the suggestion that the car’s range could be broadened. The first attempt at this was the creation of the MGC. The C was built in very limited numbers, with production ceasing in 1969, with HRH Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, being one of the most famous owners.
THE BIRTH OF BRITISH LEYLAND
Leyland Motors merges with BMC to create British Leyland. Under British Leyland, MG would work alongside Jaguar, Rover and Triumph.
MG BGT V8
Being part of British Leyland meant MG had access to a wider range of engines, this included the 3.5 litre Rover V8 engine. Tuner Ken Costello had begun converting the regular MGB and GT to V8 power in the early 1970s. The factory-built car launched in 1973 to popular reviews.
MG Metro
Great things, small packages
After the doors of Abingdon closed, many thought that this was the end of the MG era. It was not. MG emerged stronger and launched the fun and compact MG Metro. It still has a huge fan base.
MG JOINS GROUP B
With supercar performance and superstar drivers, the 1980s saw rallying reach a peak in popularity, with manufacturers such as Audi and Peugeot enjoying huge publicity with their rally cars. Austin Rover, the then owners of MG, wanted a piece of the action and so unveiled the MG Metro 6R4. The car featured a 3.0, V6 engine in the rear and developed over 410bhp.
MG EXE CONCEPT
By the mid 1980s the memory of MG sports cars was beginning to fade and so Austin Rover unveiled the MG EXE Concept, designed to remind everyone of MG’s sportscar heritage. Designed by Roy Axe, the car bore a noticeable similarity to Honda’s NSX.
A LEGEND REBORN
Through the 1980s the popularity of the MGB and classic cars in general began to grow and there was a tangible demand for sportscars once again. By this time MG was part of what was known as Rover Group – with the company’s portfolio slimmed down to just Rover cars.
THE MGF
The MGF was the first all-new MG sportscar since 1962 and there was huge excitement ahead of the car’s release. It was innovative, too, with a mid-engine and gas suspension. It quickly became a best-seller across much of the world. Rover Group by this time, was under the ownership of BMW and not wanting the MG to compete with its Z sports cars, the MGF never made it to the USA.
A NEW RANGE
2001 saw BMW sell its interest in the Rover Group and a new company was formed, MG Rover Group. The new company quickly set to work, launching a trio of cars based upon Rover saloons and hatchbacks, the result being the MG ZR, ZS, ZT and ZT-T. At same time, the MGF was heavily revised, becoming the MG TF.
MG SV
2003 saw the launch of the MG XPower SV. With its aggressive styling, carbon fibre body and Mustang-source 4.6 litre V8, the SV was impossible to ignore. Less than 100 SVs were completed before MG Rover’s collapse in 2005. Only three SV-S were believed to have been made.
A NEW OPPORTUNITY
MG Rover collapsed in 2005 and many thought that would be the end of the MG marque. If there’s one thing MG has demonstrated over the years, its resilience. MG production returned and for the first time, in China. Nanjing Automotive Corporation (NAC) bought the production rights of the MG TF, MG ZR and MG ZT.
MG6
Back with a fresh look
The brand new MG6 GT was a four door hatchback, showing a balance of MG's Sporting sedan heritage whilst integrating contemporary design. The MG6 GT and Magnette were a preview of the aesthetics of the next generation of MG products.
MG 3
New era, new demands
Future forward as always, MG realised the need for a personal touch. So MG introduced the MG3; giving consumers the power to co-design their cars with high level customization options. The MG3 opened the eyes of the global automotive consumer to MG again.
A RETURN TO THE BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP
2012 saw MG return to the premier championship in British motorsport, the British Touring Car Championship. 2012’s BTCC campaign saw Jason Plato finish third overall, while the 2013 campaign saw Plato repeat his third place finish. MG tasted victory in 2014 beating Honda to claim the 2014 Manufacturer’s Championship, scoring 950.
MG6 GT BTCC
A winner’s winner
Jason Plato, one of the most successful drivers in the history of the British touring car race, drove the MG 6 GT, returned to the BTCC after a lapse of 10 years, and assisted the MG team to win 6 races and win 5 single championships.
MG5
Design meets power
The MG5 emerged as an absolute star, being a spectacular compact car with a stunning exterior design, plush interiors and a high-performing 1.5 litre petrol four-cylinder "VTi-Tech" engine.
MG GS
Over the last 90 years MG has demonstrated tremendous variety in the cars it has produced. Now, for the first time since the marque’s inception, it’s producing an SUV. The GS launched in early 2015, catering mainly to the Middle East and Asia markets. With MG’s sporting heritage it is perhaps fitting that the brand is at last producing a Sports Utility Vehicle, following the likes of Porsche, another sports car firm to cross over into SUV territory
MG 360
The MG 360 is proud to offer the largest interior space in its class.The super-long wheelbase gives a more comfortable and ergonomic driving experience, with plenty of room for both the driver and all the passengers.
MG ZS
Get connected
The MG ZS was introduced in 2017. MG’s first model with internet connectivity quickly gained popularity all over the world. It has been sold in over 40 countries, approaching 800k in six years. The all electric version, the MG ZS EV, made its debut in 2018.
MG E-Motion Concept
Beauty and E-motion
MG X-Motion Concept
Beautiful beast
The MG X-motion followed the MG brand design philosophy of Emotional Dynamism, as seen before in the E-Motion. A beautiful beast. The MG HS SUV, launched in the same year, would become the production model of the MG X-Motion concept car.
MG ZS EV
Family friendly and fun
The MG ZS EV is family- friendly, fully electric and lots of fun. The MG SUV was launched in mainland Europe in 2019.
MG Cyberster Concept
Futuristic Roadster
Meet the MG Cyberster, a two-seater electric sports car recalling MG’s classic roadster legacy, while also ushering in new high-tech features, including an interactive gaming cockpit and 5G connectivity. It has an EV range of about 800km and goes from 0-100km/h in less than three seconds.
MG4 Electric
A growing electric family
By 2022 five new energy MG models have been introduced in mainland Europe, with MG4 Electric, a fully electric hatchback, being the latest addition to the MG Family.
MG7
The stunning sedan
In 2022 MG revealed its biggest sedan so far – the MG7, a stylish 5- door coupe with a sporty salon. An effortless combination of space and luxurious style.
MG COMET EV
Entering in market in 2024, MG Comet EV is a single door 4-seater compact hatchback that has been able to win the hearts of its customer base. The MG Comet EV bagged the Best City EV Car, Best EV car in India and many more within a year of its launch.
MG Cybester
The launch of the MG Cybester sounds like a thrilling leap into the future of automotive technology! With its futuristic features and the promise of breaking speed records, MG is definitely aiming to make a statement in the automotive industry. It'll be fascinating to see how this new technology embedded car performs and how it reshapes MG's legacy.
