Check out the MG’s first pickup truck; the Extender

KUALA LUMPUR: MG will soon launch its very first pickup in its 90-year range. Yes, a brand that until now focused its energy in building roadsters will soon have a pickup in its lineup.

Called the Extender, this MG pickup once launched would rival against the bigshots like Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max, and Mitsubishi Strada. According to the officials, the MG Extender would greet the world by the end of this month. The debut stage is set in Thailand.

So, what all is on offer? Well, first things first, the Extender is not a pure MG vehicle, rather it is the rebadged Maxus T60 that was introduced two years ago. The new pickup’s specs sheet lists two engine options - a 2.0-litre turbodiesel churning 163 PS of power along with a peak torque of 375 Nm and a 2.0-litre twin-turbocharged unit developing 218 PS and 580 Nm. These figures remind us of the Ford Ranger Raptor performance figures. While rear-wheel drive is a standard drivetrain option, four-wheel drive is offered in both trim options.

On the design front, the MG Extender and Maxus T60 showcase the same tail light and rear bumper. The only difference is that in MG the tailgate is a bit flat, while the T60 gets its name stamped on it. We expect the MG’s first pickup to feature a corporate grille and nothing more. On the Maxus, we see the grille with vertical slats.

With the MG Extender soon coming to Thailand, does it mean it will make it to the Malaysian market shortly, as well?