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MGF Trophy 160

MG Consider the MGF to be their brand icon and the mid-engined roadster leads the 2001 model programme with two new versions, bringing the car up to date and expanding its market coverage at both ends of its range.

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Giving the MGF a welcome boost in the performance stakes is the new Trophy 160 Special Edition, with a specification derived from extensive racetrack action around the world. A tuned version of the advanced K Series 1.8-litre VVC engine with a wide-bore sports exhaust system develops 160PS – over 10% more power than the 145PS of the standard 1.8 VVC model.

Handling and braking capabilities have been upgraded in line with the greater performance. The Hydragas interconnected suspension has competition-based spring and damper rates and a 20mm lower ride height, while the front brakes are new AP Racing units with 304mm ventilated discs and red-finished, MG-branded aluminium calipers.

A new 16-inch multi-spoke alloy wheel design is standard, with the special option of ultra lightweight forged and spun 16-inch alloy wheels. At the front the MGF Trophy features a new bib spoiler and a rear deck spoiler has been added; these combine with the lower stance to reduce aerodynamic drag and lift, enhancing performance and stability. Top speed of the Trophy 160 SE is close to 140mph and it can accelerate from 0-60mph in under 7.0 seconds.

To complement the racecar presence of the Trophy 160 there are four paint colours – Trophy Yellow and Trophy Blue (both created for the model), Solar Red and the popular Anthracite metallic black. Other distinguishing features include bright mesh grilles for the front and side air intakes and black bezels around the headlamp reflectors.

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Inside the Trophy there are new body-colour inserts in the door casings and the centre console, sections of the leather steering wheel trim also colour-keyed to the body, a special leather/fabric seat treatment with ‘Trophy 160’ badging, and an alloy/leather gear knob.

UK market versions of the MGF Trophy 160 SE go on sale in early spring 2001 at a price of £20,995 OTR. (The standard MGF 1.8i VVC is £19,495.) It will be made available in selected export markets later in the year.

Budget Fun

In another step to broaden the appeal of the MGF, a new 1.6i derivative has been added to the range along with the Trophy 160. Fitted with the 1.6-litre, 112PS, K Series engine (effectively a short-stroke version of the standard 1.8i, 120PS unit), this MGF comes in at new, affordable price of £15,500 - a substantial price reduction if compared to the existing 1.8i variant at £16,995.

To achieve this move into a new price sector, the new model has a simplified specification, colour range and options list. However, it retains important features such as power steering, driver’s airbag, rake-adjustable steering wheel, anti-theft alarm, electric windows and 15-inch, eight-spoke alloy wheels, to make it highly competitive at this price level.

An early spring sales launch in the UK for both the Trophy 160 and the MGF 1.6i is well-timed to catch the traditional spring upturn in sports car sales, and the two models are expected to play a significant role in maintaining the UK market leader status of the MGF.

AS MG Rover Group propel themselves into a new era, the prospect of some sporting new cars has been dangled under our noses for some months. Continuing the ongoing tease before the full launch, they've released details of the products under development. Three important new MG model ranges are due for launch in the autumn of 2001 with each range currently identified only by its internal project code - 'X10', 'X20' and 'X30'.

Drivers' Cars

Based on the Group's current platforms, these new 'X-rated' MG models have been engineered and styled to achieve a radically different driving experience and image and hopefully advancing the brand's return to a younger and more vibrant image.

 As MG Rover's director of product development, Rob Oldaker summed up: "These are uncompromising driver's cars. They have taut handling and steering. They sit low and ride firmly. Uprated brakes can shrug off the hardest driving. Short-throw gear levers give snappy changes. Throttle response is sharp. There are tuned induction and exhaust systems to optimise power and give all the right sound effects. The seats locate you securely against higher cornering forces."

The roots of the MG saloon programme actually pre-date the formation of MG Rover Group to the early summer of 2000. The enthusiasm for sporting cars amongst the designers and engineers has always been there, but with few opportunities for it to be expressed. Considerable exploratory work was done during the BMW Group era, giving a sound development base.

Project 'X10'

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Heading up the new MG saloon range, the X10 models bring a fresh sporting saloon to the compact executive car sector. The core model will feature an uprated version of the 2.5-litre KV6 quad-cam alloy engine, developing a useful 190bhp.

A powerful engine is nothing without a well developed chassis. All the chassis elements which influence handling qualities have been radically changed; from subframe mounts, through springs and dampers, to suspension bushes and anti-roll bars - all have been firmed up, in some cases with rate increases approaching 100%.

Unique MG-style multi-spoke 18-inch diameter alloy wheels combine with lowered suspension to fill the wheel arches and give a road-hugging stance. Exploiting that extra wheel space at the front, are 325mm diameter front brake discs, backed by uprated hydraulic and ABS systems. A higher-geared steering rack with revised power valving sharpens steering response and feel.

Working in conjunction with a rear deck spoiler, the new, deep front air-dam enhances the aerodynamics of the car with reduced lift, while also handling increased cooling air intake. MG external style cues include a body-colour MG radiator grille, with bright stone-guard mesh matching that in the large lower air intake, and black cappings around all the glass areas.

Inside

Inside the X10, there are specially-developed sports front seats, shaped to give first class support and location. MG style interior trim uses a new 'technical' finish for the main fascia and console cladding, plus special trim fabrics and a sports steering wheel with a thicker rim. Unique MG style instrumentation is fitted. A sports gearshift linkage for the Getrag 5-speed manual gearbox provides crisp, short throws between ratios.

A lower priced version will be offered with a similar chassis set up but a lower powered engine (around 160bhp), to provide a competitive entry priced model.

The real fun will come when a radically re-engineered car version is finished with a full does of 350+ bhp, rumoured to be from the Lotus V8.

Project 'X20'

To be built in 4-door Saloon and 5-door hatchback forms according to market requirements, the X20 is being tipped to be the dark horse of the new MG range. Its core version has the full 2.5-litre KV6 engine and manual transmission, producing 170+bhp. In-depth MG chassis engineering has taken place here again, with 17-inch wheels, uprated suspension, brakes and steering to transform the driving feel. Exterior style is in the same idiom as the X10, with body-coloured MG grille, bright mesh air intakes and black or body colour features rather than brightwork.

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Wind-tunnel work on the X20's aerodynamics has produced a package of front and rear spoilers, plus side skirts, to minimise aero drag and lift. The rear spoiler for the saloon version is a bold, high-mounted plane type, to achieve maximum efficiency. The interior has a similar treatment to that of X10, with special sports front seats, steering wheel, instrumentation and gearshift.

Touring Car

A version of the X20 will be MG's entry into the British TOCA Tour race series, and the competition design and engineering that is going into this exercise will form the basis of the 'Ultimate' road car version of the X20.

More accessible versions of the X20 will combine the MG style and chassis treatment with 1.6-litre and 1.8-litre K Series engines, and just to give us all a good laugh they'll be a 2.0-litre turbo diesel unit for the 'performance diesel' sector.

Project 'X30'

The X30 is a small 'hot hatch', to be built in 3- and 5-door forms. Powering the core version with considerable verve is a 150+bhp, 1.8-litre VVC engine, also used to power the new MGF Trophy 160 SE model.

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Consistent with the other 'X' project cars, the chassis is uprated, including 17-inch wheels, powerful braking systems and improved steering. Aerodynamic tuning work has yielded new front and rear spoilers, the rear one being rakishly mounted above and behind the existing rear 'hood' spoiler. At the front is a neat interpretation of the body-coloured MG grille with bright mesh intakes.

Rally Car

X30 'Ultimate' will have an important role in building MG's motorsport presence. It will be based on the works rally car specification, offering extra power and lower weight, and will be moderately priced to encourage its use in competition by privateer entrants. Other owners may simply enjoy it as a stimulating road car.

Enjoyment on a budget will be offered by the lower-cost X30 models, to be made available with 1.4-litre and 1.8-litre K Series engines or the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel. These will retail from as little as £10,000 in the UK.

Slippers

The full product launches will occur later this year, but there's no doubt MG Rover has swapped its slippers for racing boots and is set to revitalise the brand. Good luck to them - it's long overdue.

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