The new 7 is a modern MG we actually want

Indeed the MG 7 is said to be aimed more at younger customers and from the way it looks, that’s in no doubt. It’s wide, low and butch. There’s a sweeping roofline, sharp contouring, a purposeful and pinched nose and a tail that possesses a very rare thing: a width-spanning light bar that’s actually quite distinctive. Topping that is what appears to be a quite enormous, almost 992 911-sized active wing. Good though they are, the looks aren’t definitive MG, mind, though what that even is anymore is up for debate. Minus what is a fairly enormous badge on its snout, you might mistake it for an A5 Sportsback that’s been reskinned by Cupra. 

On the inside, from what we can see, it’s a continuation of pseudo-German theme. There’s a 33-inch glass panel with dual driver’s display and infotainment screens, with warning lights flanking. It’s not exactly distinctive and whether the quality will hold up in person remains to be seen but it’s a convincing impression.

Behind the angry-looking quad exhausts are a 2.0 turbo with 257PS (189kW) and a 1.5 turbo with 185PS (136kW). The former gets a nine-speed ZF automatic, while the 1.5 gets a seven-speed dual-clutch. Both are front-wheel-drive, though there is an electronic limited-slip differential and adaptive damping to handle the grunt. More powerful plug-in variants are expected to arrive next year.

Our appetite for SUVs rather than saloon cars will likely mean the MG 7 won’t be making an appearance in Europe. That’s a bit of a shame in our book, given the promise MG shows as a brand, that’s sorely in need of something resembling a flagship. We await the all-electric sportscar with interest.