China's newest ute, the MG U9, will develop into a hardcore off-road-focused model with its sights set on the class-leading Ford Ranger Raptor.
MG Australia is acutely aware it needs a hero version of its just-launched U9 ute, and has already begun mapping out the direction of the halo variant.
Speaking to media including Drive at the launch of the U9, MG Australia Head of Product Morgan Chen said ideas had already started to form for the top-spec model.
“A flagship version is always our benchmark set in the first place,” Chen said.
“But I think Ranger provides a larger engine and better power for reasons other than [going] fast, and it’s enabled the customer to do a lot of things like off-road, lifestyle with whatever they’re trying to with that product.
“We will probably provide a flagship, but we are trying to enable our customer to imagine their lifestyle they can bring with this vehicle, rather than just being faster.”
The comments indicate a more rugged, accessorised version of the U9 is under development, which would allow owners to access areas the standard ute might struggle.
Expect then to see lifted suspension, all-terrain tyres, beefed-up underbody protection, and extra kit like a bulbar and winch.
In terms of powertrain, the standard U9 features a 160kW/520Nm 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine, but the hero model could make use of a plug-in hybrid powertrain that is yet to be detailed to raise outputs further.
For reference, the Ford Ranger Raptor – the benchmark in the top-dog ute space – makes 292kW/583Nm from a 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6, but the BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid boasts 321kW/650Nm from a 1.5-litre engine and dual-electric motor arrangement.
MG Australia boss Peter Ciao called out the Ranger Raptor as the clear aim in the segment, and indicated whatever eventuates with the U9 will be more affordable than the $90,690 before on-road costs Ford Performance model.
“For the Ranger, it gets my most respect,” Ciao said.
“Business is like a game, right? Everyone tries your best.
“Ford Ranger is my goer, I will try my best to catch up with it.
“They have lots of things we can learn, but we also can do a good job.
“But one point they can never do is pricing, I can provide a much, much better value offer.”
The U9 line-up kicks off at $52,990 drive-away for the base Explore, and moves to $55,990 for the mid-tier Explore X before topping out with the $60,990 Explore Pro.
Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
