MG Zero Turns MG3, Lands in the UK in 2012

The revival of the MG brand is continuing, with more and more plans to conquer the market being made by the Chinese owners of the brand. After announcing the debut of the MG6 in February, the car maker is considering the introduction of the so-called MG3 on the British market.

Previewed by the MG Zero concept at the Auto China 2010 Beijing, the model will come in the form of a super mini, offering 1.7 meters in width and 1.5 meters in height. Whereas the MG6 will target the Ford Focus, the MG3 will likely become a contender to another successful Ford model, the Fiesta.

In China, the car will be launched this month, but the introduction of the model on the European market will not happen before late 2012. According to What Car?, the main reason behind the delay is the fact that the model would need to be heavily modified to meet European regulations and requirements.

For the Chinese market, the model will come equipped with a 1.5l petrol engine, capable of developing 109 bhp at 6,000 rpm. On the Old Continent, of course, a wider choice of engines is to be offered, with more petrol engines to join the range.

There is no telling whether the model will retain the looks of the Zero concept, or even if it will look something close to the version to be launched in China. The concept, as it was presented, has been designed by MG design director Anthony Williams as a "zero restraint, zero distance and zero limit.”