MG has presented a small SUV with suicide door at the Beijing Motor Show. This little concept car – dubbed the Icon -- demonstrates MG’s direction and styling, according to design chief Tony Williams. This car is less than 4m long and is built on the MG3's B platform. Williams is British but is currently based in Shanghai. He is the leader of MG’s design team as well as of sister brand Roewe. He has a team based in the UK and in China that is composed of 130 members. He said that MG is challenging that brand’s limits. In particular, he said that he prefers a modern look instead of a retro or a pastiche which is what tends to happen when you work with a legendary brand with a long history. He said that the company will be monitoring the reaction of the visitors at this show and in other places where the concept will be shown. He said that for now, this is just a concept but what is certain is that some aspects of its design will be used in future products. The front of the Icon has a recognizable MG appearance but the suicide doors are undoubtedly its most striking feature. Williams said that he hopes that there will be a new MGB. However, he declined to hint on what its form will be or in which market it will be offered. Of course, the sales of the SUV segment in China have been surging. He said that MG vehicles have made an impact on car design and he would want to offer more vehicles similar to those too.
Auto China 2012: MG presents Icon SUV Concept
by Andrew Christian, Email, 24 Apr, 2012
MG Icon SUV Concept
