MG Motor, the formerly British carmaker that is now Chinese owned, recently decided to add a new sports sedan to its range of cars and SUVs, the all-new MG GT. Billed as a “rebellious sports sedan,” the newcomer debuted in China in late 2020, but under the second-generation MG 5 moniker.
However, in the Middle East, the Chinese brand chose to refer to its new sedan by the GT title—a name that goes back to 2014 with a compact sedan built for the Chinese market in mind!
Putting the name aside for a moment, the 2022 MG GT is a dynamic, muscular fastback sports sedan that blends thrilling performance with luxurious comfort and cutting-edge technologies, to offer its potential Middle Eastern customers the best value for money, thus earning a spot on our 2021 Qatar Car of the Year (QCOTY) list.
Exterior
Clearly inspired by the classic, two-seater MGB sports car, the all-new GT adopts the Chinese brand’s third-generation design language, meaning the exterior lines reflect a sportier, more aggressive look.
The new sports sedan sets itself apart from other MG sedan models with the black “Digital Flaming Grille” that has flame-like slats, outlining the sporty character of the 2022 GT and setting a new benchmark for its segment. Other key exterior highlights include the sporty LED headlights, a front bumper with large air intakes, a sloping roofline, 17-inch alloy wheels, an upturned ducktail at the end, and large exhaust pipes, to name but a few.
Dimensionally speaking, the new sports sedan is 4675 mm long, 1842 mm wide, and 1480 mm tall, with a 2680 mm long wheelbase.
Interior
Inside, the 2022 MG GT features all-around trim materials, including two-tone leather seats with 3D patterns and red stitching, 3D diamond-designed console panel, and a flat-bottom leather steering wheel with paddle shifters. The sports sedan is also equipped with hi-tech gadgets, such as a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a large 10.1-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Other key interior features include a 6-way power-adjustable driver's seat, keyless entry, push-button start, automatic air conditioning with a rear AC vent, electronic sunroof, a USB port, and cruise control, among other features.
The seats are certainly very comfortable as they provide an ample amount of legroom and headroom, even in the back seats. The car can accommodate up to four adults, while there is room for a fifth passenger, only if the rear armrest is folded up. Open up the boot, and you will find 401 liters of cargo space, which can be increased with the 60/40 split-folding rear seats down.
On the safety front, the all-new MG GT has a wide range of driving assistance features such as an anti-lock braking system (ABS), an electronic stability program (ESP), a 360-degree parking camera system, a rear parking sensor, a blind spot monitoring system (BSM), a lane departure warning system (LDW), a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), a front collision warning system (FCW), and an electronic parking brake with auto-hold function.
Engine and Performance
Under the fresh sheet metal, the new GT gains a turbocharged four-cylinder, 1.5-liter engine that delivers 173 hp and 250 Nm of torque. The turbocharged mill comes with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox, sending power to the front wheels. Speaking of performance, the 1.5-liter engine has a nice growl, allowing the 1,318 kg sedan to accelerate from zero to100 km/h in 8.5 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 215 km/h.
In terms of the suspension, the GT rides on a MacPherson-strut front suspension and a H-type rear torsion beam setup. This layout leans toward comfort rather than sheer performance.
Our Verdict
The 2022 MG GT is a modern sports sedan suited to everyday use. It features a best-in-class ergonomic design, a luxurious, yet sporty interior with good-quality materials, cutting-edge technologies, hi-tech safety features, and a powerful 1.5L turbo engine. All these virtues make the newcomer a serious rival in a crowded segment.