No, the MG Extender is not part of a male amplification product. Yes, MG is now (and has been) owned by Chinese automaker conglomerate SAIC – which was known as Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation. SAIC Motor builds several brands including the MG brand and Maxus. That’s significant because SAIC is about to use the Toyota Tacoma-like Maxus T70 to brand-share and create the upcoming MG Extender.
A 161 horsepower 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine is the only power-plant available. It makes 276 lb-ft of torque, and its hooked up to a six-speed manual and an optional (on higher trims) six-speed automatic transmission.
Prices are starting at approximately $18,000 for a base model – in Thailand. Yep, that’s the only market that will get the full thrust of the Extender. It may branch out, but there have been no official announcements as of yet.
Remember: the current MG brand is building small hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs and crossovers – to overseas markets only. It’s more of a discount brand than a former British icon. Still, I’ve driven in the MG 3 hatchback and it was a fine little car. Still, it’s hard to see what – if anything – MG can bring to the pickup truck market to make it unique.
Time will tell. What do you think?
Speaking of trucks that could put up stiff competition against the MG Extender – the Ford Ranger and the Toyota Tacoma.
