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  • CAR REVIEW | MG GS Exclusive DCT

    CAR REVIEW | MG GS Exclusive DCT

    ★★★☆☆ | MG GS Exclusive DCT, MG’s Not So Sporting SUV

    What Have We Got?

    Here we have MG’s first SUV offering, the GS, with a 1.5 petrol engine mated to a 7 speed twin-clutch sportronic automatic gearbox. This top of the range MG GS ‘Exclusive’ DCT 5 seater comes in at a reasonable £21,095.

    Does being reasonable mean cheap, and does cheap make it cheerful?

    Driving

    The 166PS 1.5 petrol turbo (the only engine available) does ok, just as long as you don’t rev it too high. It doesn’t encourage high revving. And you shouldn’t have to with maximum torque of 250NM from 1600-4300rpm. That’s a nice spread of power over a relatively wide range. Credit then to the linear surge of power from the turbo.

    What isn’t so good then is the twin clutch gearbox. There are 3 main problems. Firstly, throttle pedal travel is quite short so it makes it jerky to inputs. Secondly, in auto mode, the box likes to change quite high up at around 3000rpm. Thirdly, its kick down changes are met with a surge of around 700 revs and then a kick down. It doesn’t blend very well if you are feeling enthusiastic. 

    That does, however, all change when you select ‘sport’ with the gearstick and use the steering wheel paddles. Up and down changes are immediate and it’s very easy to enjoy the way it drives.

    Inside

    Developed in 2015 and launched in the UK in 2017, it is showing its age in this fast paced market sector. However, it’s not at a total loss, certainly not at this price. The first thing to hit you are the 23 buttons under the 8” infotainment screen that deal with heating and ventilation, volume and home screen. 

    That’s quite a lot, but it is easy to navigate. What isn’t is the air distribution. Press for screen and it goes into full blast for no reason other than that is how it is designed.  In this ‘Exclusive’ trim it also comes with DAB, satnav and all the other things you expect including mirror link for your phone.

    The seats are comfortable if a little too wide and unsupportive in fast corners. The inside is quite nicely put together. It is all a bit cheap with hard plastics throughout but it is also quite sturdy in construction so you shouldn’t be finding anything falling off.

    Living With It

    Despite its relatively compact dimensions, it really is large on the inside. Rear leg room is overly generous even with a tall driver. Boot space does however slightly suffer. The price you pay for that passenger leg room! Loading the boot is also rather easy and worry free thanks mainly to the unpainted load lip.  

    The ride is a little choppy and it likes to roll in the corners. The steering isn’t as communicative as you would hope for but there is plenty of grip and it hangs on well. It just feels a little unconnected.

    The Verdict

    You get a lot for your money with the MG GS and it’s quite easy on the eye. I like its looks. There is an abundance of space for 5.

    One of my biggest bugbears is poorly painted door shuts. Not so with the MG GS. It is surprisingly well painted and put together very well. At this price, the competition needs to take note.

    Would I have one? If I was on a 20-minute dealer test drive, no. You need time to understand that gearbox. After a week, yes I would. It’s cheap and now I’ve mastered it, it is rather cheerful.

    Love

    Price

    Fit and finish

    Looks

    Loathe

    Wind noise

    Engine trashy at high revs

    Jerky in auto

    The Lowdown

    Car –  MG GS Exclusive DCT 

    Price – £ (as tested)

    MPG – 45.5 mpg (combined)

    Power – 166PS at 5600rpm

    0-62mph –  9.9 seconds

    Top Speed –  112 mph

    Co2 – 141 (g/km)

  • THEGAYUK Motoring Honours List for 2019

    THEGAYUK Motoring Honours List for 2019

    2019 Motoring New Years Honours List

    2018 was quite a year for THEGAYUK motoring section. Two new contributors, Mark and Damien have joined and car choice from us, I hope, managed to whet your motoring appetites and curiosities. I think it is safe to say that 2019 will be an even bigger year so thanks for sticking with us.

    And so to my top three with an extra and that extra is my “almost ran”. That accolade goes to the Volvo XC60 Momentum Pro. It really was a car that did everything and impressed, was a great place to navigate the world from and what’s more, it’s a Volvo. There are no pretensions to the brand. It is Volvo.

    Now what I have noticed over the past years of doing my New Years Honours list is that this section seems to be the car that I would spend my own money on. So this is it, if it was my money, this is what I would buy. Well done Volvo.

    And so to my top 3 for 2019

    3) MG3.

    This might come as a bit of a shock to you, considering I wasn’t overly kind and awarded the little hopeful only 2 stars.

    I still stand by those two stars but only because of the engine. Take it outside of its comfort zone and it shows up as quite a rough unit with lacklustre performance. That said, use the MG3 with its 7-year warranty as a daily commute with a sporting look and in the stop-start traffic you’ll be stuck in, you’ll appreciate it as a device to keep you dry. And to be fair, it’s not an uncomfortable place to be in.

    2) Range Rover Sport

    This one shocked me. I wasn’t going to gush over the £75k Chelsea tractor but here it is, number two on my list. And why? Because it made you feel great. Land Rover has a following and despite the various quality issues they have from time to time, their followers are loyal to the core of the product. They feel good. A bit “not quite German” but with a passion built into the product.

    And it’s that passion that comes across in the way they make you feel. Add to that the confidence it has to go anywhere in the world, with 4 of your best mates, in luxury and comfort and you can see why I fell for it, hook, line and sinker.

    1) Honda Civic Type R

    What can I say about Honda’s road rocket that hasn’t already been said in my review and all the others who have also given the Civic Type R their accolade of the best hot hatch, best fast car, best all-around fast family car, phenomenal shopping shuttle, Practical hatchback. You get the gist. It is a great all-rounder.

    Speaking of rounder, you will eventually curb one of the black alloys that sit on band thin 20 walled tyres. And you will only want to put good tyres on it. That might detract from its running costs because chances are, if you are not respectful to its performance, you’ll go through those tyres pretty darn quick.

    But what a car. It has the performance to match supercars and pop you to the local curry house for take away.

    And there we go, that’s my top three. Don’t forget to comment in the box below or e mail me via the site. And above all, happy motoring into the new year of 2019. Let’s see what else is out there.

  • CAR REVIEW | MG3 Exclusive

    CAR REVIEW | MG3 Exclusive

    ★★☆☆☆ | MG3 Exclusive

    What Have We Got?

    The MG3 comes in a 3 car model line up from £9495 for the base Explore to £12,795 for the Exclusive. MG has been slow and steady sellers and numbers on the road are beginning to increase. Recently the MG3 went through a facelift and it’s attractive changes that MG have made. 

    Is there any carryover from MG of old I hear you ask? The British have a thing for MG and there is no getting away from the fact that today’s MG has nothing to do with those of old except for the octagon badge. But is this a bad thing, or does it need that MG thing to make it a desirable car?

    Driving

    This is a bit of a letdown and shows that it isn’t like previous generations of MGs. For a twin cam 1.5 petrol with initials like VTI-TECH, you’d expect something a little lively. On the road, it turns out to be more leisurely than lively. You need to work the gearstick around a bit to get the best out of it.

    The ride is what you would expect it to be and it’s not that bad. Due to the lack of engine excitement you’d probably not get to exploit its handling.

    Inside

    It’s pretty simple and basic where it needs to be. You need to remember that MG is still winning fans and price is key. Door cards, for example, are plain and simple and the dashboard as normal as you can get. That hasn’t stopped MG having some fun and the silver trim with silver printed tartan is a nice touch to break up the expanses of black.

    The infotainment system is also simple to use, effective and nicely laid out. Some of the larger manufacturers could learn from this system. 

    Living With It

    One of the nicest touches the MG3 comes with is hill hold control where for a brief moment in time, it’ll hold the brakes. For this price, it’s a rare treat.

    It’s a small 5 door hatchback that does what you would expect a car to do and if that’s what you want, then you could live with this.

    The lack of engine excitement does disappoint me somewhat. I’m sure underneath there is a better car waiting to shine. A bit like MG’s of old. So perhaps there is some of that old MG magic in there, somewhere.

     

    The Verdict

    For the money, you get a car. I can’t really jazz it up in any other way. That car is attractive in Exclusive guise. Explore comes with 14” steel wheels and is a little on the basic side visually. 

    Excite and Exclusive are probably where you’d want to spend your money. 

    What will probably sell this car more than its dynamics will be the 7 years or 80,000-mile warranty.

    Love

    Price

    7-year warranty 

    Simple yet effective infotainment system

    Loathe

    Lacklustre engine

    Needs a better engine

    Base model is rather spartan on the outside

    The Lowdown

    Car –  MG3 Exclusive

    Price – £ 12,795 (as tested)

    MPG – 47.1 mpg (combined)

    Power – 106PS @ 6000rpm

    0-62mph –  10.4 seconds

    Top Speed –  108 mph

    Co2 –  140 (g/km)

  • Three Of The Coolest Cars From The London Motor Show

    2016 bought back some history for the motoring world. For the first time in eight years, London hosted a motor show, although on a small scale it was very important.

    With the ever increasing sales of British cars of all brands, it was only fitting to bring some publicity to such a city. Not only has the United Kingdom created some of the best handling, luxurious and iconic cars, but are also going to help raise the bar on the land speed record.

    Matthew Porter gives us his top three highlights of the London Motor Show

    MG GS

    Over the years MG has been trying to claw its way back into the market with the three and the six. Both are very reasonably priced but lacked quality, however, what they lacked in quality they made up for in standard equipment. Both cars sold at a steady pace considering MG only re-entered the market back in 2011. After the fall of the brand back in 2008, it was down to the new Chinese owners to pull it back up to the top. With almost all current car companies having at least one SUV in their range it was much needed by MG to bring out the GS. This compact crossover SUV will sit to rival the Nissan Qashqai. What this car excels at will be value for money, set to undercut the rivals on price and equipment, making this a strong contender in the very growing and crowded market.

    The stunning new GS brings stylish looks, practicality and technology at a very reasonable price. The sporty yet rugged looks of the GS bring new design language to the brand, with the face-lift of the 6 there is a clear path they are following, a very fruitful and prosperous path.

    Set to come after this is a smaller, Nissan Juke rival. What will make this car even more desirable is that it will be built in Wales, truly putting the British engineering into a British car.

     

    TVR.

    This is all TVR would reveal to press.

    2016 bought the return of renowned car manufacturer TVR. The iconic British car brand was credited for their speed, handling and dramatic styling. After the last cars were made in 2006 it was thought to be the end of an era. However this has all changed. On the third of June 2015, car designer Gordon Murray and Cosworth partnered up for the relaunch of the brand. The plan is to bring the new car to the market in 2017 which will be the first step in a ten year plan for the company. The new car is rumored to host a front mounted Cosworth V8 powering the rear wheels and transmitted through a manual gearbox. The design has not been officially released get but some teasers have been released. It is said that the car will heavily rely on ground effect aerodynamics incorporated into the body work. The official unveiling will go ahead to all 400 deposit paid customers before the public debut.

     

    Bloodhound project.

    Bloodhound project hoping to break the land speed record with 1000MPH with this new development. CAD Image: BLOODHOUND SSC originated by Flock and Siemens

    This is an interesting showcase of a vehicle if it can be called that. The Bloodhound project is aiming to break the land speed record they previously set with their last creation the Thrust SSC with a top speed of over 760MPH. Speaking with a representative of the company it was understood this is a very complex and powerful feat of engineering.

    To start with the vehicle will be fitted with a Typhoon EJ200 jet engine manufactured by Rolls-Royce. Second to that are three Nammo hybrid Rockets. All of these will help propel the vehicle to 1000MPH. However, with an engine to large and thirsty it must be fueled constantly and at a fast rate. Which is why, with no other purpose than a fuel pump, they will be using a Supercharged V8 Jaguar engine. As the previous driver of the last two record holding vehicles, Andy Green will be behind the wheel to bring another victory home.

     

    Follow Matthew Porter on Twitter

  • MOTORING: Ten Soft Tops For Summer Under £5k

    You might think I’m insane for suggesting you buy an open car in the middle of winter but there is method to my madness.

     

    Quite rightly you’ll be thinking that you’ll barely ever get the roof down and you might as well get something with more than a bit of canvas between you and the elements. Unsurprisingly, everyone else will be thinking the same ensuring demand is low as are prices. Just £700 will get you into the cheapest car on the list while others have hard roofs that leave them feeling very similar to a regular car. Whether you just want to look good and catch some sun or if you want something that carves through corners and devours straights, there’s a car on the list for you. If not, please feel free to share what you’ve found!

    1. Volkswagen Golf Mk3 Convertible – £700

    http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/volkswagen/golf-mk3-mk4/volkswagen-golf-2-0-avantgarde-convertible-manual-only-two-owners-good-condition-mot-till-october-2015-electric-hood/2688004

    Topless thrills don’t have to cost thousands, this Golf is cheap to buy, cheap to insure with a classic policy and should prove pretty reliable too. Although it’s 20 years old it still has plenty of toys although don’t expect it to be the most exciting car to drive. With an MOT till October, you could use it until autumn next year and sell it for what you paid for it. Alternatively, tidy the car up and it could be a reliable retro ride for many years to come.

    1. Ford StreetKa – £1476
      http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/ford/streetka/ford-streetka-1-6i-2dr/3035341

    Don’t just think of this as a regular Ka with the roof sawn off, Ford spent a lot of time and money re-engineering this with a bigger engine and wider, stiffer suspension. It’s no rocketship but it’ll still feel quick enough around town and be a hoot round bends. You do lose 2 seats compared to the hatchback but you gain a much more stylish rump. Being a Ford, it should be cheap to run and pretty reliable. If it does go wrong, parts are cheap.

    1. Fiat Barchetta – £1950

    http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/fiat/barchetta/fiat-barchetta-convertibl-1998/2441591

    Fancy a sexy Italian for the summer? How about the Fiat Barchetta? A rare sight on UK roads, probably thanks to them being left hand drive only, they’re a good looking alternative to the ubiquitous Mazda MX-5. Underneath it’s based on the Fiat Punto meaning predictable front wheel drive handling and fairly cheap running costs. It also means that if it does go wrong, which it might, bits are cheap. A lively 135 bhp engine makes the car pretty nippy and they handle well too.

    1. Toyota MR-2 MK-3 – £2795

    http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/toyota/mr2/toyota-mr2-mk3-roadster—————–2003/3021610

    If your main reason for buying a sports car is that you love driving, the MR-2 needs your attention. Although it’s not the prettiest car here, it’s light, mid engined and rear wheel drive. Add feelsome steering and an engine with just enough power to make things interesting and you have the ingredients for serious fun. Being a Toyota, it’ll be endlessly reliable and servicing shouldn’t be too costly either. It won’t be overly practical and there’s only room for one passenger but hey, your friends can always take the bus.

    1. MG Midget £3450

    http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/mg/midget/1979-mg-midget-1500/3088628

    You don’t have to spend a great deal to get a proper classic like this MG Midget. You do have to be careful to avoid buying a rusty old money pit, however this dry stored example should be a good bet. The mechanicals are simple (the engine is shared with the original Mini) so don’t expect modern levels of grip, braking or safety. The upshot is that you don’t have to go fast to have fun and the kind of looks that you just don’t get anymore. Be prepared to get your hands dirty though, MGs can be temperamental.

    1. Smart Roadster £4500

    http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/smart-car/roadster/smart-roadster-80-rhd-2dr-auto-fsh-low-mileage/2826209
    In many respects this Smart Roadster is the modern day MG Midget. It’s similarly tiny, shares its engine with an economy car and is cheap to run. Available only as a semi-automatic, it could be argued the slow witted and clumsy gearbox ruins the car. Learn to work with it and you’ll find a chuckable chassis, accurate steering and a great sounding turbocharged engine. The looks are Marmite and storage limited but they are bloody good fun. It’s easy to squeeze a few more horsepower from the engine too.

    1. Jeep Wrangler – £4450

    http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/jeep/wrangler/jeep-wrangler-4-0-petrol-limited-edition-65k-mileage/3222334Just because you’re buying a car to enjoy in the summer doesn’t mean it won’t prove invaluable in winter. This Jeep Wrangler offers a removable roof for the sun and 4 wheel drive with chunky tyres for the snow. The brick like aerodynamics and massive 4.0 litre engine will mean you’ll be very friendly with your local petrol station attendant but they are at least pretty reliable. Wranglers are very much an old school 4×4 so don’t expect the best road manners either.

    1. Mercedes SL320 £4490

    http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/mercedes-benz/sl/mercedes-sl-320——————1994/3102387

    If I was picking the classiest drop top from this list, the SL would win every time. This immaculate 1994 car comes with one of the smaller engines of the range which should save a few quid on petrol and servicing. Besides, the SL is not really about going fast, it’s about looking good. It also comes with a removable hard top to keep the heat in and car thieves out. Classic insurance won’t be expensive and old SLs tend to go up in value if you look after them….

    1. BMW M3 Evo – £4995

    http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/e36-m3-92-99/bmw-e36-m3-evo–low-mileage–3-keys/2895944

    Here’s a convertible that’ll really put the wind in your hair thanks to over 300 bhp from a brawny straight 6 engine. This 1996 example has been well looked after and comes in the best colour too. Inside is leather and luxury while you can even seat 4 at a push. Being an M3, parts and servicing will be on the expensive side as will the fuel bills. If you like the looks but don’t need the performance or expense, consider the lower powered 318i, 320i or 325i, they’re much cheaper to buy and run.

    1. Renault Wind – £4988

    http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/renault/wind/renault-wind-1-6-vvt-dynamique-s-2dr/3199982

    Once you’ve stopped laughing at the stupid name, the Wind is well worth your consideration. For a start, this is only 4 years old with just 36000 miles. For seconds it shares a lot with the Renaultsport Twingo, a great little hot hatch and for thirds it’s actually practical for a 2 seat roadster. A clever folding hardtop gives plenty of boot space that isn’t impacted when the roof is stowed (unlike a Merc SLK or Peugeot 308CC) and avoids a massive arse. The name killed sales in the UK so they’re rare but well worth tracking down.