British-branded light truck gets the latest technology developed by China’s automotive giant SAIC.
Is it based on the Maxus T60?
Welcome to MG’s first workhorse: the Extender which has premiered in Thailand, the world’s largest producer of mid-sized pickups.
As MG is part of China’s SAIC, the Extender is based on the Maxus T70, itself an updated version of the T60 featuring tweaked looks and a new engine.
Although the Extender takes part in a tough market segment dominated by the Japanese car camp, the Chinese-owned British brand isn’t going flat out yet.
Initially, the Extender comes with four-door double-cab and two-door extra-cab forms. MG claims class-leading cabin space in the Extender.
The regular cab variant is being planned for a later date aimed mostly at users needing a pure workhorse for carrying around goods.
What’s the engine like?
As the Extender has been developed in time with the T70, it gets a new 2.0-litre diesel-turbo engine developed by General Motors and SAIC replacing the T60’s 2.8-litre variation (Euro 4 and 5) made by Italy’s VM Motori. The 2.0-litre unit is capable of Euro 6 but has been tuned for Euro 4 in Thailand at the moment.
Although a twin-turbo variation has been developed for the T70 producing over 200hp, the Extender for Thailand comes with single-turbo one producing 161hp at 4,000rpm and 375Nm from 1,500-2,400rpm.
Transmission choices include six-speed manual and automatic driving the rear wheels or all four. A high-riding 2WD is also available for those who don’t need genuine off-roading ability.
One technical highlight the Extender boasts over its Japanese competition is electric power steering, a feature only found in the Chevrolet Colorado and Ford Ranger. However, the Thai-spec Extender still uses the hydraulic type.
One selling point in the Thai-made Extender over its competition is all-round disc brakes.
Is the Extender priced to kill?
Due to intense rivalry in the Thai pickup market, MG has priced all variants of the Extender competitively ranging from 600,000 to just over one million baht.
There are five versions for the extra-cab (dubbed Giant Cab in the Extender) ranging from 549,000-729,000 baht. MG claims the entry-level model is attractively priced and equipped against all of its competition.
The Double Cab has four variants with the range-topper getting 4WD, six airbags, blind spot detection and lane departure warning. The price range is 759,000 to 1.029 million baht.
