This is the all new MG ZS, a new compact SUV for China, looking just hip enough in dark red, but what are those wheels small again! The ZS will be launched on the Chinese car market on March 3. The ZS debuted as a semi-concept on the Guangzhou Auto Show.

Side profile is nice, with a strong shoulde line and usable roof rails.

Initially, there will be only one engine available: a 1.0 3-cylinder turbo with 125hp and 170nm, mated to a six-speed automatic or a six-speed DCT. It will cost 119.800 yuan.

Later on a 1.5 with 120hp and 150nm will be added to the lineup, mated to a four-speed (04) automatic or a five-speed (05) manual. Price will start around 75.000 yuan.

The ZS is front-wheel drive only.

Size: 4303/1814/1630, and wheelbase is 2585.

Price is expected to range from around 80.000 to 120.000 yuan.

The MG brand, with its sister brand Roewe, is owned by the Shanghai Auto Industry Corporation (SAIC).

The red car on the photos is the 1.0 turbo, which will de called 16T.

The interior is all right but a bit dark and a bit gray. More color would have been better. Round air vents are the nicest bit. Steering wheel with a shipload of buttons and a racy flat bottom.

MG went for conventional dials instead of digital, with a TFT in between.

The screen of the infotainment system measures 8 inch. It has Apple CarPlay and Baidu CarLife.

The DCT ‘box.

More gray and very flat seats.

Shoulder line hops over the lights nicely. MG logo is almost bigger than the wheels. Look at that rear wheel! It is far too small and too narrow for the arch, it looks ridiculous really. And, bad bad bad, I can see the muffler under the bumper.

It just looks a bit messy and unfinished. See the space between the top of the light and the bonnet, see how the skid pad seems to be glued on the bumper. It seems like a rush job.

We see this a lot in China; media test cars with a dusty engine bay. Just how hard can it be to clean that up first..?

Can see your muffler! Shanghai Auto badge on the left side doesn’t sit straight.

Concluding: it looks nice, but it is let down by its wheels. Interior is a tad too dark. And it just doesn’t seem completely finished yet. Worrying…