MG said if we were good and bought enough of its SUVs and hatchbacks, it’d reward us with a sports car. It looks like it’s living up to that promise.
Patent images have been leaked of what appears to be a production version of the E-Motion concept, first revealed at the 2017 Shanghai motor show. According to Autocar, it’ll enter production next year.
Some key changes have been made to the electric 2+2’s design, though it’s no less slinky and upscale in appearance than before.
The headlights are the most visible change. On the concept, they used similar lighting elements to the current ZS and, arguably, the Mazda6.
With the upcoming facelifted ZS featuring redesigned headlights, the production E-Motion has gone in a different direction with more almond-shaped units reminiscent of those of an Aston Martin or Lotus.
While the concept’s grille had resembled that of a car powered by an internal combustion engine, the production vehicle eschews a conventional grille. Instead, there’s only the faint outline of a grille. The bumper has also been heavily redesigned.
The prominent side crease has been toned down but, fortunately, the concept’s squat haunches remain, as do turbine-style wheels. The scissor doors are almost certain to be replaced by conventionally-opening ones.
The rear window is larger and more conventional in shape. While less striking, it’ll be a boon for visibility. The rear of the E-Motion is otherwise quite similar to the concept, from the prominent rear diffuser to the distinctive, wrap-over tail lights.
Patent images strip away a lot of interior detail but the production car’s interior looks to be quite different from that of the concept. The concept’s round air vents have been substituted with rectangular ones, while the production car’s touchscreen may be larger.
Finally, the rear two seats appear to be wider at the expense of the console between them.
When MG revealed the E-Motion concept, it said it used a dual-motor battery-electric powertrain, capable of propelling the coupe to 100km/h in around four seconds. Electric range was a claimed 500km.
The e-Motion isn’t the only MG sports car on the horizon. The Chinese brand earlier this year revealed a render of something called the Cyberster, a two-seat electric roadster designed to call the light, simple sports cars for which MG is known to mind.
Although its range comprises sensible hatchbacks, sedans, and crossovers, the modern MG brand has flirted with the idea of a sporting rebirth before.
Reports from as early as 2013 suggested a sports car was under investigation, while the 2017 E-Motion concept was a clear signal of what a performance-oriented pure-electric MG could look like.
