MG Motors India is trialling a few
Chinese SUVs on local soil as it chalks out its India entry. First, it was the
Roewe E RX5 EV and then the Baojun 530. Recently, Team-BHP forum member Shubham
Ghute spotted an LHD MG RX5 test mule in Pune. The MG RX5 is originally a Roewe
product but globally it is sold under the MG brand. It shares the SSA platform
with the MG GS. It falls in the C-segment globally.
The MG RX5 measures 4,545 mm in length,
1,855 mm in width and 1,719 mm in height. It has a 2,700 mm wheelbase. It
offers 595 litres of boot space, expandable to 1,639 litres on folding the rear
seats. Powering the C-SUV is either a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine or a
2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine.
The 1.5-litre engine produces 169 PS at 5,600 rpm and 250 Nm of torque at 1,700-4,400 rpm. It sends power to the
wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Roewe-badged
version can be had with a 6-speed manual transmission. Its 2.0-litre petrol
engine develops 220 PS at 5,300 rpm and 350 Nm of torque at
2,500-4,000 rpm. It is coupled to a 6-speed (Roewe-badged version: 7-speed)
dual-clutch automatic transmission. An AWD system is optional in the 2.0-litre
engine model.
LED headlamps with LED DRLs, 18-inch
alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, 6-way power driver’s seat, 8-inch touchscreen
infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, 6-speaker audio system with woofer,
electric parking brake and six airbags are the equipment highlights of the MG
RX5.
Recent reports say that the first MG
model in India is the Baojun 530. Whichever cars SAIC pick for the Indian
market, they will be manufactured at GM’s Halol plant.
