DUBAI — MG Motor’s brand-new mid-size SUV, the MG RX8, is now officially on sale in the Middle East. Extremely well-equipped and offering huge amounts of space, MG’s first ever seven-seater is set to shake up the market in a region where large off-roaders continue to prove extremely popular.

With the new seven-seat RX8, MG is entering a segment in which it has never previously been present. Robust and spacious, with both the largest wheelbase and the largest third-row space in the class, it immediately sets itself apart from the competition. The MG RX8 is equally at home off-road as it is cruising around town or on long-distance journeys, where occupants will fully appreciate the levels of advanced technology and premium comfort on offer.

The arrival of the new MG RX8 is yet another major step forward in the resurgence of the British-born automotive brand, which is changing perceptions among new car buyers across the region thanks to its highly advanced and well-equipped range of sedans and SUVs. MG, which is owned by SAIC Motor, has announced that prices for the new RX8 range from $21,850* for the entry level, up to $25,700* for the top-of-the-range trim.

Tom Lee, SAIC Motor Middle East Managing Director, said: “The MG RX8 is a truly historic car for the MG brand and one that we believe is ideal for the Middle East market. It takes all the positive elements for which MG is acclaimed, and delivers them in the perfect package to introduce us to a whole new range of customers.”

The bold yet simple design of the new RX8 certainly makes it stand out from the crowd. At the front, the dual-slot bonnet, the silver lower lip, the chrome grille and the matrix-style LED foglamps are sure to impress. The commanding presence and smooth body lines are set off neatly by features such as the twin chrome exhaust, LED tail lights, LED Headlamps, LED DRL and 20” alloys depending on trim. There is a choice of six different exterior colours.

Within the cabin, the MG RX8 reinforces the brand’s reputation for delivering premium finishes at non-premium prices. The use of an array of the finest materials, including wood grain, chrome and soft-touch trim, gives the RX8 a high-class feel. Customers can opt from three attractive interior colour schemes. MG has even linked up with German company Bader, one of the world’s top manufacturers of premium leather for the automotive industry. Additionally, the top of range (LUX) trim is equipped with ventilated seats to ensure passengers experience nothing but the very best in terms of travel comfort.

To ensure the travel experience is as quiet as it is comfortable, MG has invested significant resources on sound insulation - 20 cavity partitions and more than 30 multi-layer damping plate structures contribute to measurement of 55dB that is significantly better than the RX8’s key rivals.

For space and practicality, the MG RX8 is head and shoulders above the competition, guaranteeing a relaxed and enjoyable journey for all on-board. Thanks to its impressive exterior dimensions - 4923mm long, 1930mm wide and 1842mm high – the RX8’s wheelbase of 2850mm is the largest in its segment, delivering a spacious and modular interior.

MG’s new model features an ingenious ‘theatre-style’ seating design that incorporates a shallow front-to-rear gradient that means that even the third row of passengers benefit from an exceptional view. The adjustable reach in the second row is 230mm, helping to ensure that passengers in the third row enjoy enhanced access to their seats, as well as an unrivalled 884mm of legroom - the largest third-row space in the class.

The flexible nature of the Modular rear seats allows occupants to choose from a wide and varied combination of seating layouts to meet their various travel requirements. Ideal for families. The RX8 has plenty of room to store all the various items that come with everyday life. There are 37 different storage compartments while the boot capacity extends to a cavernous 2178 litres, room for up to nine suitcases.

A truly capable 4x4, the RX8 offers a real-time 4x4 Torque on Demand (TOD) System, which changes the torque in 0.1 sec. This advanced 4WD system has six different driving modes: Auto for smart selection; 4L for ‘go-anywhere’ low speed, high torque; Off-road for a pure off-roading experience; Snow for low-adhesion, wet surfaces; Sport for a faster throttle response and more aggressive shifting logic; and 2H for fuel efficient high speed cruising in 2WD mode. The entry level (STD) trim comes with a 4x2 rear wheel drive transmission system.

Built on a strong truck chassis frame, the robust MG RX8 has been designed to handle the toughest off-road terrain that the Gulf region can throw at it. Facilitating off-road travel, it has high ground clearance of 202mm, a wading depth of 800mm, and when empty approach and departure angles of 23o.

The RX8 is powered by an efficient 220HP 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine that features Net Blue Technology and develops maximum torque of 360Nm. It is mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox with paddleshift gear change.

The current line-up of MG models is renowned for offering some of the finest technology around, and the RX8 is no different, with wireless phone charging and smartphone connectivity with Apple Carplay and Android Auto enabled to a 10-inch colour touchscreen all standard. All three extremely well-equipped trim levels feature Dual Zone Climate Control with additional climate control in the rear, cruise control and a rear parking camera. Also standard across the range are keyless entry and push button start, front and rear parking sensors and a panoramic sunroof.

Both mid and top trims build on the impressive standard feature list offered by the entry level (STD) trim, with a 7” Virtual Instrument, Hill Descent Control and a real-time TOD 4x4 system. Raising the standards of comfort and practicality further, range-topping (LUX) trim includes leather seats with a multi-adjustable front passenger seat and front seat ventilation, and a power tailgate for easy access. Eight high-quality speakers and a rain sensor round off the premium nature of the top of range (LUX) trim.

The MG RX8 is equipped with a wide range of standard safety features such as front, side and curtain airbags, front and rear sensors with rear view camera, Active Rollover Protection and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. Further Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) such as a Lane Departure Warning System feature on the LUX trim. In common with the rest of the MG product line-up, the MG RX8 has been awarded a 5 Star C-NCAP safety rating. — SG