MG has revealed it will unveil a new SUV concept car at the forthcoming Shanghai Motor Show.

The unveiling will be the world premiere of the MG CS concept, paving the way for a production car designed to slot into the compact SUV sector, one of the fastest growing areas of the automotive market.

The prototype, which will be unveiled on the firm’s stand on April 20, is the latest result of a investment in the brand by MG’s owner, the SAIC Motor group, and previews MG’s first production urban SUV.

The CS is the work of a design team led by MG’s global design director, Anthony Williams-Kenny.

An MG spokesman said: “The MG CS oozes British design flair while embracing the sporting DNA of MG, an iconic brand.

“It has many strikingly unique features, including the headlights which have a multi-faceted ‘shard’ structure which refract light in different colours and shape from the side, but coalesce to form the iconic MG’s trademark octagon from the front.

“MG has a rich history of daring designs that break new ground and sophisticated UK design has carried through to the family of new generation MGs.

“There has been much speculation about an MG SUV and this model is expected to create a sensation among young, fashion conscious people. The MG CS concept will expand the global reach of the MG brand.”