MG took inspiration from classics like the MGB GT and MGA when penning the Icon.

The four-seater was designed by Brit Tony Williams and his team at parent company’s SAIC’s HQ in Shanghai. It gets plenty of old MG styling cues, including MGB-inspired vertical daylight running lights, MGB GT-inspired external hinges on the tailgate and an interior inspired by the MG TA.

It’s based on the SAIC ZP platform that also underpins the MG3 supermini, and a roadster version could also be on the cards.

China just can’t seem to get enough SUVs. The world’s largest car market has inspired unlikely suspects like Bentley and Lamborghini to proceed full speed ahead with SUV designs, and it’s even gotten some smaller firms all SUV-crazy – British sports car maker MG has debuted an SUV concept at the Beijing Motor Show.

MG is a British automaker that dates back to 1924. It’s had a somewhat tumultuous history during recent years, seeing more changes of ownership than new production models, but it’s well known for its history of sporty coupes and roadsters like the MGA, MGB and Midget.

What it’s not particularly known for is trucks or SUVs. Now that it’s owned by China’s largest automaker SAIC, however, that’s exactly the direction it’s taking. MG introduced its first-ever SUV concept called the Icon this week. Judging by the pictures, which make it look a touch bigger than a Mini Cooper, the Icon is really more of a car-based crossover than a proper SUV.

上海汽车 MG-Icon 概念车

But get real, this kind of concept cars will never enter prodcution, maybe 10 years later.