MG GO!: it looks like a Mini, but it is not
The MG brand, a subsidiary of the Chinese SAIC, presents the prototype of its new electric urban model at Goodwood
The Goodwood Festival is one of the most important events in the motorsport world. This year, the MG brand – of British origin, but controlled by the Chinese giant SAIC – wanted to present its new electric urban vehicle prototype, named GO!, which is set to be a commercial reality circulating on European roads starting next year.At first glance, this MG GO! strongly recalls the classic appearance of the Mini, and joins the trend of revival models from the 60s, 70s, or 80s of the last century in electric format, as already successfully done by the Fiat 500, Mini, or Renault 5, among others. According to the brand, the GO! is inspired by the mythical MG Metro, which in our market was renamed Rover 100, a model that passed with more sorrow than glory and holds the dubious honor of being the most unsafe vehicle and the one that obtained the worst score in EuroNCAP tests, with a total of zero stars and a result of certain death for the vehicle's occupants in frontal and lateral impact tests. That poor result led to the decline and farewell of the model and the Rover brand, which is why it is quite surprising that the new MG under Chinese control has made reference to it.The final result is a B-segment urban vehicle, about 4 meters long and with a vintage aesthetic that combines the classic shapes of English models from the last third of the last century with futuristic elements, such as the light signature with LED lights, specific low-consumption rims, and a rear spoiler that enhances the car's aerodynamic aspect. According to MG's press release, the design of this prototype aims to advance the new aesthetic signature that the manufacturer wants to implement in its future models.
The new MG GO! will be a fully electric car, but the brand has not yet confirmed the final power or range of the vehicle. However, it has confirmed that this is a model designed at the MG Advanced Design space in London, under the direction of Carl Gotham, and emphasizes the distinctly European vocation of its product. It should be said that urban vehicles with four seats and just over four meters long are not highly appreciated in China, a market much more oriented towards large SUVs and executive sedans.The brand has also confirmed that this MG GO! will arrive on the European market during 2027, with a price and technical specifications yet to be confirmed.