MG rules out going after the Toyota Prado: Why full-size SUVs like the new Gloster are off the table

MG has ruled out taking a run at the Toyota LandCruiser Prado, with the brand's executives insisting they have no interest in launching a full-size SUV.

The Gloster, which has just launched in India, is based on the LDV D90, and the brand has made some bold claims about the ladder-frame SUV.

“As far as we see it, we feel that the Gloster will have he capability, strength and size to compete with models such as the LandCruiser Prado and Jeep Grand Cherokee," says the managing director of MG Motors India, Rajeev Chaba.

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The Chinese-designed Prado rival is powered by a 2.0-litre diesel that produces 120kW and 375Nm, or a more powerful twin-turbo-diesel good for 162kW and 480Nm. That engine will link with a eight-speed automatic transmission, which, in twin-turbo guise, will send its grunt to the all four tyres with the help would instead focus on a mid-size unit with an optional third row of seating, like the VW Tiguan.

But the Gloster has been ruled out for Australia, both in the short and long term, with MG Australia boss Peter Ciao telling CarsGuide the brand wouldn't be launching a "full-size SUV", and would instead focus on a mid-size SUV with an optional third-row of seats, much like the VW Tiguan.

"That's a no," Mr Ciao said, with a shake of the head. "I need a seven-seat SUV, and I'm hungry for this model, based on HS, and the next generation, with five or seven seats."

"But there's no plan for a full-size SUV."

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The new follows a similarly bold statement from MG Australia's director of marketing and product development, Danny Lenartic, who told CarsGuide that his brand would continue to focus on passenger cars and had no interest in "logo-slapping" vehicles.

"We will evaluate all vehicles as we see a need, but they will come under an MG design language. Personally, I'm not interesting in logo-slapping from another design," Lenartic says.

"We've come such a long way as a brand in such a short space of time, I really want to keep our DNA moving forward."