MG must be hoping that less is more with the relaunch of the larger of its two models, the blink-and-you'll-miss it MG6.

Now the company, based in China but with a modest UK home in the Birmingham factory where the original Mini was once built, is slashing prices of the MG6, ditching the option of a petrol engine and booting out the saloon version too.

That leaves a pared down range, costing £3,000 less than before, with modest changes to looks inside and out, slightly better performance and economy from its diesel engine and a boost to the already high standard equipment count.

And MG will be pretty happy if it sells 600 of them this year through a growing dealer network enjoying fast rising sales, mostly of the smaller MG3 hatch.

Like that lively little runaround, its big brother MG6 has no-haggle prices (so don't try), but with the cheapest model in the three car line up costing just £13,995 there shouldn't be many potential customers who don't regard it as a bit of a bargain anyway.

They'll be getting an S grade car with air con, hill start assist (it hangs on to the brakes for a moment after you release the pedal on a slope) and even heated front seats (they'll cost you £300 on a £35,000 Audi) and an engine that provides enough performance and a likely 50mpg in everyday use.

Moving to the £16,195 TS brings satellite navigation (a new system that works well), along with Bluetooth and a DAB radio, auto lights, wipers and dimming mirror and rear parking sensors.

That's surely the version to go for if you can possibly afford the extra monthly payments, although the range topping TL (£17,955) does add a touch of modest luxury, with leather trim, electric seats, dual zone climate control and a rear parking camera.

All of which may make you wonder how the likes of Ford, with the Focus, Vauxhall with the Astra and Skoda' with the Octavia (all quoted as chief rivals) actually manage to move any metal at much greater prices - up to £7,000 more in some cases, before you factor in a discount or two.

Well, even MG would agree the opposition "might perform slightly better", and it does. The MG6, especially this reworked version actually feels pretty good on the road, pulling well without too much diesel clatter and urged along with a fine new feel to the gearchange.

Rides and handles decently too; you can tell final fettling has been done by British engineers on our uniquely challenging UK road surfaces (German prestige marques please note), but without that final veneer of class that you'll find in the best of the MG6's competitors.

Inside, the new car feels usefully more classy than before but the feel of its plastics and the look of the instruments won't worry a Skoda, although an MG buyer may be more interested in the spacious back seat and big boot of his car rather than spending time rapping the dash with his knuckles.