MG has taken the wraps off their new MG3 hatchback at the Guangzhou International Motor Show in China.

MG’s parent company SAIC have given no technical information yet but have revealed that the car will go on sale in March 2011.

Measuring just under 4 metres long with a width of 1728mm and a height of 1517mm, the MG3 is the same length but narrower and taller than a 5-door Ford Fiesta.

Despite the lack of official word, it is believed that the car will be offered with 1.3l and 1.5l  petrol engines with around 67bhp and 109bhp respectively, with a turbocharged version of the 1.5 which should provide around 156bhp coming later. SAIC are currently in talks with suppliers about diesel engines.

The MG3 has been designed by MG’s UK design team and is based on the MG Zero concept car. The car is being aimed at 18-28 year olds and will be have a range of customization options including contrasting roof colours and stripes, as well as MP3 connectivity inside.

There has been no word whatsoever from MG in Europe about the car and it is unlikely to reach European dealers until 2012, partly due to the delays with the MG6 which was originally supposed to go on sale in within the last few months of this year. That car is now unlikely to be ready until the spring.

Source: Autocar