MG plans Ford EcoBoost rival  30 | 04 | 2013

MG IS GEARING UP to produce a range of modern GDI engines which will pitch it head-to-head with Ford's innovative and class-leading EcoBoost unit.

Set to launch in China at the end of next year, MG's GDI engine range is set to include not only a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged powerplant, but also 1.4 and 1.5-litre turbocharged units.

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It's also widely expected the engines will be slotted into the MG 3, MG 5 and MG's new Nissan Qashqai-rivalling crossover — unveiled at the recent Shanghai Motor Show as the MG CS — respectively. The larger unit is also likely to appear in the latest MG 6.

“Our benchmark for the 1.0-litre has to be the Ford EcoBoost engine,” MG’s head of powertrain, former Ricardo UK managing director, Paul McNamara, said.

“Ford has got the technology to market first and changed perceptions. Our goal is to be competitive with their figures and attain the best real-world results possible.”

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Jim McGill