At the stand of the British brand at the Kyiv International Motor Show SIA 2012, the MG 6 fastback, which has already been discussed, and the MG 550 sedan took their places.

The emergence of new brands in the automotive market is common nowadays. It is noteworthy that the start of MG sales in Ukraine coincided with the 20th anniversary of the AIS Group of Companies. For a brand with a century-long history, this is, of course, a mere trifle, but for the domestic market, the term is considerable. Over these years, the company has come a long way from a modest regional dealer of Russian cars to one of the largest players in the industry, with a portfolio of about twenty brands. Today, AIS covers all customer needs—from choosing a car to its maintenance at its own service stations scattered across the country.

Not long ago, the AIS Group of Companies took up the promotion of a true veteran of the automotive industry in Ukraine. MG is a brand with aristocratic roots and a rich heritage dating back to the 1920s, when the industry was just getting on its feet.

Initially, the company specialized in sports cars, starting with the very first MG 14/28 model, which saw the light of day in 1924. Unsurprisingly, with such a focus, the brand quickly found itself in motorsport and achieved considerable success on racing tracks—first in Europe, and then overseas in the USA.

Having survived the turbulent 20th century, MG entered the new millennium, retaining the status of one of the oldest manufacturers in the world, whose name is well known and loved in Europe, America, and far beyond. The development of all new models and concepts is carried out at the MG European Engineering and Technical Center in Birmingham, headed by David Lindley. Currently, his team is working on a new engine, betting on green technologies. The appearance of cars is handled by a design studio led by Anthony Williams-Kenny, also based in Birmingham. At the recent auto show in Beijing in 2012, their latest work—the MG Icon concept—was named Best Concept by the American publication Autoweek.

MG does not forget about racing either. In the current season, the brand participates in the British Touring Car Championship BTCC, where its honor is defended by the MG KX Momentum Racing team. Behind the wheel are two-time series champion Jason Plato and promising newcomer Andy Neate. Already after two stages, it is clear that racing is in MG's blood: the team confidently leads the championship.

In addition, MG has entered the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans marathon, joining forces with the RLR Racing Team, to which it provided the MG Lola EX265 car. The car has already competed in five LMS series races, where the crew finished fifth in its class and seventeenth overall. Ahead is the very endurance race, where the MG-RLR duo intends to give battle to renowned rivals.

Thanks to the AIS Group of Companies, the official importer of MG in Ukraine, Ukrainian drivers can now get acquainted with the legend of Foggy Albion.

MG 350 — first steps in Ukraine

Most attention at the MG stand is undoubtedly drawn to the new mid-size MG 350—this is its premiere on the domestic market. The debutant has every chance to win the sympathy of buyers. The car's appearance captivates with elegance and a noble touch.

The newcomer is inferior in dimensions to previously presented models. The length of the MG 350 is 4521 mm, width—1788 mm, height—1492 mm. The wheelbase is 2650 mm.

Under the hood is a 1.5-liter petrol engine with 105 horsepower, which is paired with a manual or automatic transmission. A distinctive feature of the MG 350 is modest fuel consumption. Thus, the version with a manual gearbox is content with just 6.7 liters per 100 km in the combined cycle.

MG 6 — an original by inheritance

Ukrainian motorists are already familiar with the MG 6 fastback, but this does not mean that it is deprived of attention from SIA 2012 visitors. The heir to MG's long-standing traditions stands out with an unusual body shape, which previously was found only in luxury models.

Under the hood of the MG 6 is a 1.8-liter petrol engine: naturally aspirated with 133 hp or turbocharged with 160 hp. It is paired with a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed automatic.

And how much pleasure does driving this car give! High-quality finishing materials, thoughtful ergonomics, wide ranges of seat and steering wheel adjustments, a multimedia screen, a multifunctional three-spoke leather steering wheel, and front bucket seats with lateral support—all this will delight both the driver and the passenger. Moreover, the MG 6 is not only comfortable but also safe: evidence of this is the four stars earned in EuroNCAP crash tests.

The merits of the MG 6 have already been appreciated by seasoned journalists from leading British publications. After multi-day tests on the roads of the United Kingdom, they unanimously admitted their sympathy for the model. John Simister stated that the car not only met expectations but even exceeded them. Nick Gibbs from AutoExpress emphasized that the MG 6 clearly stands out against most competitors in its price niche, and Edward Stephens from Birmingham Mail predicted high demand for the model.

MG 550 — pioneer on stage

Last year, it was with this model that the AIS Group of Companies, the official importer of MG, began its assault on the Ukrainian market. And this is not surprising: an attractive and technically advanced sedan is distinguished by its refined appearance, typical of British cars.

The MG 550 can boast not only a thoroughbred appearance but also rich equipment, many auxiliary systems, and a high level of safety, which experts from the Chinese analogue of EuroNCAP—the C-NCAP association—rated at the maximum five stars.

In the arsenal of the MG 550 is a 1.8-liter 16-valve turbocharged petrol engine with 160 hp, working in conjunction with a 5-speed Tiptronic automatic. With such an engine, the car accelerates to 205 km/h.

More details about the cars, purchase options, and insurance can be found on the website www.mgauto.com.ua or by calling the information line: 0-800-500-205 (calls from landline phones in Ukraine are free).

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