The first generation MG 3 SW is essentially a rebadged version of the Rover Streetwise, which had ceased production in April 2005, after the bankruptcy of predecessor organisation MG Rover. It started production in 2008, at SAIC's Chinese factory in Pukou, Nanjing. The MG 3 SW is only on sale in China, and cannot be exported by SAIC.
Engines
Second generation (2011–present)
The new MG 3 was shown at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show, in the form of the MG Zero concept car. The new model uses an all new automotive platform with a wheelbase of 2.5 m, featuring MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beamrear axle. The development work took place in the United Kingdom, with production initially in China. The car went on sale in China in the spring of 2011. Engine options at launch consist of a choice of 1.3 and 1.5 litre, rated at and respectively, with either a five speed manual transmission, or an Italian AMT transmission called e shift. The MG3 supermini has a low insurance, and over a million personalisation options. In Thailand, MG3 and Xross were launched 18 March 2015. It has lower price than other cars in same segment, but equipped with more features, such as Moonroof and ESP.
MG 3 Xross
The second generation MG 3 is also available in a crossover style variant, known as the MG 3 Xross. The Xross is only available with the 1.5 litre engine.
Pre-facelift (2013)
A restyled version of the MG 3, with a revised front design, was announced in the spring of 2013, with sales in the United Kingdom beginning in September 2013, but only with the 1.5 litre engine option. It was claimed that it would be built for Europe at the Longbridge plant in Birmingham alongside the larger MG6. The MG 3 was assembled there from 2014 until 2016. For 2016, the MG3 received several alterations to improve it: the installation of an EU 6 derivative of the standard 1.5 litre engine, developed by SAIC Motor UK, a stop start was fitted and two tonecolour schemes, primarily on the red and yellow MG3's which can have either a black or white roof, were offerd as options
Engines
The MG 3 is only available with a 1.5L Engine, which has received an EU 6 upgrade to reduce emissions, and also the addition of stop start.
Second facelift (2018)
The MG 3 was revised in 2018 with a facelift to the exterior and a new interior. The interior redesign now includes space for an eight inch touchscreen unit, which is fitted as standard to some models. The 1.5 litre engine received minor modifications to bring it up to EU 6D standards, and now rated at 140g/km for emissions. Chinese models are available with a slightly more powerful 1.5 litre engine option mated to a four speed automatic gearbox. In Brunei, the MG 3 was launched since the middle of 2019. The models were only in 1.5L engine and four speed automatic. Transmission included Core and Excite.
