In the early 1990s, two wave models from two different body classes arrived in Iran. MG3 hatchback and MG550 fastback sedan with acceptable design and reasonable price, were liked by the people of our country. Then came the replacement version of the MG550 called the MG6. A sedan model with a cheaper price than MG6 called 350 was also present in Iran and around 2016, the MG GS crossover became the most powerful Chinese car in the Iranian market. Although the MG GS did not leave a good memory for Iranian customers due to technical problems with the turbo engine, the various MG6 models were able to attract the attention of four-door sports car enthusiasts. Before the start of economic sanctions in 2017 and 2017, a new model of the wave called MG GT was imported to Iran in limited numbers.
Amoji brand with English origin is world famous and has a style. Admittedly, the Chinese-owned wave not only survived complete bankruptcy, but evolved well and is now present in the troubled UK market with acceptable products. Let’s not forget that MG is the manufacturer of durable models in the history of the British car industry and now accounts for 6% of the total sales of classic cars in this country, which is the highest amount compared to other brands in the British market.
MG stands for Morris Garage, was founded in the UK in 1923 and is now a subsidiary of China Motors. Psyche Motors now owns several car factories in China and abroad and is one of the world’s largest car giants, producing 4.5 million units. In terms of production circulation, the presence of this Chinese company can be considered a turning point in the history of MG; Because it increased it from a small single product factory with 9,000 units in 2008 to more than 73,000 units in 2015. Let’s not forget; The MG assembly line, with parts imported entirely from China, is currently active in Longbridge, England, and more than 4,000 of the brand’s products are sold annually in the UK, but the main production line is Emji in Nanjing, China.
In general, cars that are produced under the name of Amoji can be divided into two categories. The first group, in addition to China, is also present in the UK market; But the second group is not seen on the carmaker’s main site at http://mg.co.uk. The 360 car is facing the same situation; Because after a short search on the Internet, we came across images of this model with the logo of Psychomotors and the Chinese brand Roewe, while there was no news of its presence in Europe. Therefore, it can be concluded that the mentioned car is offered only with the well-known MG brand in Iran and is basically a product of Psych Motors. This certainly does not call into question the quality of the 360 model; Because other MG products, including the GS chassis and the famous MG 6, are also sold under the Syk brand in China. Different types of wave cars are currently present in Australia and are of interest to the Australian market.
Azerbaijan Automotive Industry Group started operating in Tabriz in 2017. This group was established with the investment of 50-50 Iranian and Chinese parties and had attractive plans for assembling the products of China Psych Group; But economic sanctions led to the withdrawal of Chinese investors from the partnership. The only assembly car in Tabriz called MG 360 in three models of manual manual transmission, natural automatic transmission and automatic turbo gear reached the Iranian consumer.
Body design and exterior of MG 360
The 360, which is marketed in Iran and some countries as the MG360, was designed in 2015 and has not yet retired. Of course, this car also has a 2017 facelift and an all-electric version that never reached Iran.
Although the exterior of the 2015 MG 360 is inspired by the 2001 Toyota Camry, it looks plausible. In terms of body design, this car has an appearance close to international standards and can attract Iranian buyers.
In terms of appearance, the MG 360 is faithful to the previous model in the series (MG 350) and is quite similar to the 350, especially in the windshield. The headlights are sporty and drip; At the same time, with two curves at the bottom, they look in harmony with the design of the windshield. The MG 360 bumper is relatively simple and has no special volume lines. Almost half of this part is provided with empty space and black plastic devices, which in addition to providing an air duct for the propulsion, will play a major role in reducing production costs. To reduce the uniformity in the design of the bumper, a trapezoidal shape is given to the plastic part and the LED strip of daylight is inside it.
The rear view of the MG 360 retains the simplicity of the other body components and, in the author’s opinion, is inspired by Soyaro’s products. The overall shape of the taillights and trunk is implemented without complexity. The rear bumper and fenders are fully integrated, which in the event of an accident will result in heavy replacement or refurbishment costs. One of the positive points of this section is the small plastic part under the bumper, which has a sporty and acceptable feeling with proper volume, warning lights and dual exhaust.
Overall, the design of the MG 360 can be considered acceptable, and its increase in size compared to the MG 350 is important. The car is offered with a length of 4579 mm, a width of 1804 mm and a roof height of 1490 mm above the road surface, while the wheelbase is 2660 mm.
Interior view and cabin of MG 360
Getting into the Wave 360 car is beyond the expectations of a cheap Chinese car; Hard plastic, however, seems to be the most important component of the dashboard.
The 8-inch touch screen is satisfactory for the Chinese sedan assembled in Iran. This monitor is located right in the middle of the dashboard and because of its design style, it attracts the driver. The placement of the keys on the MG 360 is very good and does not cause much confusion. On either side of the display are the main air ducts that, in a vertical position, evoke a sense of luxury from Volvo products. Slightly lower and in front of the handle are a USB charger, a lighter, a flashing warning light and a traction control actuator that are fully accessible to the driver. The interesting point in this section is not to use the metal frame related to the path of the handle for the automatic model, which makes it difficult to distinguish it from the model equipped with a manual gearbox.
The MG 360 does not have an electric seat and in the full option model, with 6 directions for the driver’s seat and 4 directions for the side passenger, it is completely manually adjusted. This car provides an ideal space for 4 tall passengers, which is suitable in front of the knees and above the head. On the other hand, there is enough space for the fifth passenger in the middle of the rear seat. The luggage compartment comes with a space of 482 liters, which is a good width and can accommodate almost four large suitcases. On the plus side, the design of the MG 360 is a very practical feature of the rear seats, which, if needed, can be folded back from the front to carry large objects.
The steering wheel of the MG 360 is telescopic and comes with a synthetic leather cover in two pieces, which in addition to the desired appearance, is pleasant and acceptable. This section with silver tools is very similar to the models in other wave models and is provided with cruise control and steering wheel keys. The designers of this car, in order to make the interior look luxurious, have not used the conventional cylindrical arrangement in MG products, for the speedometer panel and the engine speed indicator, and offer a simple design with a modern feel, which is not very great and attractive.
At first glance, we might think that we are dealing with an all-digital panel and even a large display behind the steering wheel; But there’s actually a mechanical speedometer hand with numbers from zero to 220 in the middle, and two small TFT displays on either side. This car does not have an engine speed indicator and it informs this number with a digital design.
MG 360 propulsion and technical forces
MG 360, with 1.5 liter naturally aspirated and turbocharged engine is present in Iran; But in China, it also comes with a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine. Although the power of the 1.5-liter model seems sufficient for fans of low-cost family sedans, the turbocharged engine currently seen on the MG GT and many other Psych products in China is very attractive to the Iranian buyer and justifies the higher price. he does. It is necessary to explain that the version of the MG GT car that was imported to Iran in 2017 and 2017 has a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with 127 horsepower.
The MG 360 produces a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter engine with 107 horsepower and 135 Nm of torque. Maximum power is obtained at 6,000 rpm and maximum torque at 4,500 rpm. This car is offered in two versions equipped with a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 4-speed automatic, which can offer a net weight in the range of 1235 to 1280 kg. The naturally aspirated MG 360 takes about 12 to 13 seconds to reach 100 km / h and has a top speed of around 180 km / h. The average fuel consumption of this model with Iranian gasoline is 6.5 to 7.5 liters per 100 kilometers, which reaches 5.5 liters at a constant speed on the highway and 9 liters per 100 kilometers in urban traffic.
Azerbaijan Automotive Industry Company also offered a 360-degree turbocharged Wave with a 1.5-liter engine. This product has 130 horsepower at 5500 rpm, with a torque of 210 Nm from 2100 rpm. The 360-degree turbo offers an average fuel consumption of 7 liters per 100 kilometers and a top speed of 100 km / h in 10.5 to 11 seconds.
Amenities and safety equipment of MG 360
There are dual airbags for the front passengers, ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD brake force distribution system, BA auxiliary brakes, CBC turn brake control, TPMS independent wind pressure monitoring system and ESP 360 turbo stability control technology. Apart from ESP, these equipments are also installed in the natural breathing model.
8-inch touchscreen monitor, Bluetooth interface with mobile phone connection to audio system and monitor, USB / AUX ports, parking camera, power window, rear and front doors, halogen headlights with height adjustment and delay switch-off, lighting Day light, side mirrors with taillights and power adjustment with heater, leather upholstered seats, folding rear seat and power sunroof are the most important features of the 360 Wave.
Driving experience, price of second-hand MG 360 and comparison with competitors
In the market, the price of MG 360 turbo automatic with low performance and good technical conditions is about 500 to 550 million Tomans. The version of automatic transmission equipped with naturally aspirated propulsion costs about 400 million Tomans and the version of manual transmission costs 300 to 350 million Tomans.
Behind the wheel of the MG 360, for those who have experience driving with domestic sedans, such as Samand and Peugeot; Satisfactory and acceptable; But it is certainly not comparable to Korean products. There is a good view of the surroundings and thanks to the rear camera, the car park is easy to do. Propulsion power is acceptable for the turbocharged model and is sufficient for a car weighing less than 1300 kg. The naturally aspirated version with a 1.5-liter engine is similar to the 1.6-liter in the Thunder 90 or B30 in the 110-horsepower group, and is satisfactory as an economy car.
Good maneuverability along with moderate suspension makes urban driving with the MG 360 acceptable. The living space of the 360 model is very good and allows long journeys of 4 tall passengers. The large trunk with the possibility of folding the rear seats (Ario Saipa symbol) is one of the positive points of this car that can not be seen in almost any of the domestic sedans. The 360-degree option level is suitable for economy class Chinese cars; But it does not have a special advantage over Chery Arezzo 5.
From the author’s point of view, buying a second-hand Chery Arezzo 5 turbo or naturally aspirated model is less of a hassle than a 360 wave. Modiran Khodro Company, with a long history in the Iranian market, has provided appropriate support for Chery second-hand cars and is definitely superior to the Azerbaijan Automotive Industry Group with limited dealerships throughout Iran. Currently, Chery Arezzo 5 turbo automatic model 1397 or 1398 with a performance of 50,000 km and the body of the factory without accidents, is about 550 million Tomans.
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