The first images of the new MG S6 EV have surfaced online, and somewhat amusingly, the source isn’t the automaker itself or but from Euro NCAP. The safety testing authority has unwittingly given us our first proper glimpse of the upcoming SUV.

Read: MG Just Declared War On The Ranger And Hilux With New Truck

MG has yet to release official photographs of the model, but its inclusion in Euro NCAP’s latest batch of crash-tested vehicles means we now have a reasonably clear look at its design, even if most of the images show it in a rather battered state.

It’s not easy to design an SUV that looks good, but MG has had a decent crack and it’s done quite well. The front end is very similar to the smaller S5 and includes the same small, split front grille positioned at the very base of the bumper.

It has also been showcased with LED daytime running lights and separate headlamps housed within triangular-shaped elements.

The rear-end is also quite sleek, although the shape of the taillights and the light bar does remind us of the Mercedes-Benz EQA, albeit with more complex lighting signatures. Other intriguing elements include the blacked-out bumper and the sharp diffuser.

What About The Interior?

We don’t yet have official images of the MG S6’s interior, but the Euro NCAP crash tests offer a few revealing glimpses. Between shots of airbags deploying into crash dummies, you can spot a squared-off steering wheel, a sizable central infotainment screen, and a head-up display perched above the dashboard.

Safety and Specifications

On the safety front, the MG S6 EV scored a full five stars from Euro NCAP, earning 92 percent for adult protection, 85 percent for child protection, 84 percent for vulnerable road users, and 78 percent for its suite of driver-assist technologies.

While the report doesn’t go into drivetrain specifics, it does confirm that both two-wheel and four-wheel-drive variants are planned.

It’s likely that the S6 will share the same single-motor, rear-wheel-drive setup as the S5, producing 228 hp and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) of torque. The all-wheel-drive version is expected to add a secondary motor up front, creating a dual-motor configuration with a balanced output and broader appeal.

A full reveal is expected soon, as MG officials have already confirmed that the launch is scheduled for the end of November.

If their slick tech features have convinced you that Chinese cars are finally a match for Western rivals, Euro NCAP’s latest test results might make you think again. While some Chinese cars really are as good as the competition, one new small Asian EV has just flunked an important European crash test that its rivals all aced.

More: Your Next Car Might Not Be As Safe As It Could Have Been

The car in question is Dongfeng’s Nammi Box, a small hatchback that’s broadly equivalent to a Renault 5 or BYD Dolphin. But while those cars were awarded four and five stars respectively after being run through Euro NCAP’s crash test mill, the Box scored just three stars.

Safety Reality Check

Multiple spot-welds failed during the offset front impact test, increasing the risk of deformation around the cabin and reducing protection for occupants, the safety organization reported.

The test, which is performed at 31 mph (50 kmh) and with a 50 percent overlap against a deformable barrier on an oncoming 3,090 lbs (1,400 kg) sled, also traveling at 31 mph, is designed to replicate the kind of collision that is responsible for the most road deaths and serious injuries.

And a compromised body structure wasn’t the only black mark against the Box. Insufficient pressure in the steering wheel airbag meant the driver’s head still managed to make contact with the wheel.

Design Flaws Under Pressure

Just as worrying, the doors failed to automatically unlock, which could prevent first responders from helping injured passengers.

Euro NCAP additionally criticized China’s state-owned Dongfeng for not providing any kind of safety aid to prevent front seat passengers from bashing into each other in a side impact collision.

Summing up, the testers awarded the Box just 69 percent for adult occupant protection and 67 percent for vulnerable road user protection, numbers that place it well below most modern small EVs on sale in Europe.

“The Dongfeng BOX doesn’t match the safety performance of other small EVs tested by Euro NCAP,” said the organization in a statement. “It was a concern that the spot welds were compromised during our tests and could be further compromised in higher-speed accidents. Such a failure must be addressed to match competitor vehicles in what’s a fast-growing part of the EV market,” it added.

Euro NCAP

In Dongfeng’s defense, it wasn’t the only small hatchback to receive a feeble three-star rating. So did VW’s ancient T-Cross crossover, which is a bit of an outlier. Other VW Group products like the Audi Q3, Skoda Octavia, and VW Golf all achieved a maximum five-star rating.

As did China’s Chery Tiggo 7 and 8. The SUVs were marked down in a previous test for a problem with their rear curtain airbags, but Chery then redesigned the system.

It performed as planned during the re-test, earning Chery five stars, reminding us that there’s still a big safety difference between the best and worst-performing Chinese cars.

Euro NCAP/Dongfeng