Auto Shanghai 2013: MG unveils CS mini-SUV concept

The arrival of the MG CS concept is tangible evidence that SAIC has serious global plans for the British marque. It's a concept that hints at the next-generation model to be released by the company - and although there's no indication if it will go on sale in the UK, the Chinese company has heavily hinted it will happen in 2015. 

The CS concept will have similar styling to the production MG SUV. It was styled in the UK by the SMTC design team based in Longbridge, and design engineering will also take place in the UK. The car's styling was overseen by Anthony Williams-Kenny, global design chief for SAIC, and it's hoped that it will prove to be strong opposition to crossovers, such as the Nissan Qashqai.

The CS SUV is based on SAIC's Global A, the underpinnings also used on the MG6 and 5. It will be similarly sized to the MG5. It's expected to be powered by SAIC's 1.5- and 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engines, although the new 1.9-litre turbodiesel, recently debuted in the MG6, is likely to be available from launch in Europe. 

With the launch of the MG6 in the UK being a rather low-key effort, hopes are now resting on the MG3 to establish the marque properly in the UK. The Golf-sized MG5 has yet to be confirmed for the UK market, and may well be put back until after the production CS SUV goes on sale here.