MG Motor UK’s new small car, the MG3, was unveiled for the first time in Warwickshire this week.

The new MG3, which will compete against the likes of the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Polo, was unveiled at the Prodrive test facility in Honiley. It is hoped the motor will be rolling off the Longbridge production line this year or next.

The company has not yet confirmed whether the MG3 will be assembled at Longbridge but the revitalised Birmingham car plant is hotly tipped as the likely destination.

If so, it could be in production as early as the end of 2011, although the first quarter of 2012 is a more likely starting date.

The car is based on MG’s Zero, a concept car which was shown to the world at the MPH shows in 2010.

The Zero is also on display at MG Motor UK’s Longbridge headquarters.

The Zero and MG3 were designed and engineered at Longbridge by a 300-strong team, headed by chief designer Tony Williams-Kenny and David Brindley who heads the engineering operation.

A version of the MG3 has just gone on sale in China, with the British specification model still under development.

If Longbridge is chosen as the assembly site for the MG3 it will be the third car produced there.

The recently-launched MG6 GT, a five-door hatchback is already being produced, with a saloon version set to follow this summer.

Following on from the MG3 unveiling, MG Motor UK is taking the unusual step of consulting small car owners to find out what they think of it.

Company spokesman Doug Wallace said: “We want to get feedback from people to see what their views are.

“It will be very interesting to us to hear what people think about various aspects of the car. The object of the exercise is to see what they make of the overall shape of the car as well as the interior and fit and finish.

“Some of that feedback will go into a much bigger document that could have some bearing on the car when it comes back to the UK and goes on sale.”

* Anyone interested in taking part in evaluating the MG3 should email Steph Vickers on info@mgmotor.co.uk.