The MG6 has scooped the What Car? 2012 Security Award – the first major honour for the new car.

Experts on the judging panel paid glowing tributes to the MG6, saying: ‘This year, we were looking for a manufacturer that has demonstrated the greatest effort to improve security, either through a particular innovation or a sheer determination to design out crime. MG’s new hatch stood out for us. The MG6 has been bolstered with the industry’s highest-rated alarm and immobiliser system, complete with perimeter detection. Meanwhile, body security has been fortified with first-press double locking, and vehicle identification enhanced with markings. It is impressive work, and gratifying to see a newcomer in this price bracket achieve the top five-star rating from Thatcham for resilience against theft of the vehicle, and four stars in the theft-from category.’

Chas Hallett, Editor-in-Chief of What Car?, made the presentation at the motor industry’s ‘Oscar night’ held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. He said: ‘MG is a well-known brand to British buyers, but its engineers had to start from scratch on many of the security features of its latest model. A top five-star rating from Thatcham is as good as it gets, so MG deserves real credit for achieving that from a standing start.’

David Lindley, who heads a 300-strong team of engineers and designers at the MG Birmingham plant, accepted the award. He said: ‘What Car? honours are not given lightly, so that makes this award extra special. We worked really hard on all aspects of safety and security for the MG6. It’s great to see that this has been recognized by the experts at What Car?.’