Tuesday 15th March 2016

MG TF: You Know You Want To

TF not really of interest? It should be with a supercharged VTEC in it!

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Both when new and used, the MG TF appears to have been rather overlooked. Take a look at used values for evidence of that. Of course the MX-5 has been largely responsible for this, plus the Toyota MR2 to some extent, but has it been overlooked unfairly?

The TF gets a stance!

Now they are only being considered as a used purchase, perhaps some of the TF's flaws can be overlooked. As a weekend car the everyday concerns are less, well, concerning. Looking back over the Autocar road test of the relaunched MG TF, it's heaped with praise for the dynamics. It was described as having "an excellent mid-engined chassis and decent steering", concluding with "if only more cars handled as sweetly as this". See, not so bad after all.

Of course engine reliability was a concern with the TF, but this car avoids that with a whole new engine altogether. A Japanese engine. A supercharged VTEC in fact...

Yes, for those who aren't nerdy enough to have picked up on the numberplate cue, this MG TF has the same K20 engine as a Civic Type R. With the supercharger, power is claimed at 355hp and torque at 241lb ft. Top speed is said to be 165mph, and we'd hazard a guess at 0-62mph in less than six seconds.

Moreover, this car has all sorts of high quality brake, suspension and tyre upgrades to make the most of the huge increase in power too. There's an Exedy clutch for the six-speed manual, a limited-slip diff, big AP Racing brakes, custom Nitron dampers and springs as well as uprated cooling, a different exhaust and seam welded subframes. Tyres are said to be Yokohama AO48 in the ad but are Avon ZZRs in the pics; either way they should help you keep on top of the power reasonably well.

See the video for the flames...

With a decent base, all that power and some useful dynamic tweaks, this TF would surely be brilliant fun on a track, or indeed the road. It still looks relatively standard, making the shock of 300hp per tonne or all the more dramatic.

So what's the catch? It's the price. This TF is, er, £25,000. Even allowing for the considerable work and the parts that have gone into it, that looks rather on the steep side. It would no doubt be tremendous fun, but you don't need us to tell you how much fun is available elsewhere for £25,000. After all, if you want British and mid-engined and Honda powered, you could get an Atom...

Ignoring the price for just a second - easier said than done, granted - this TF does look a right giggle. More than that it's rare, which will always have its own appeal. Caterhams will be 10 a penny compared to this at a track day! If an ardent fan has the funds (or negotiating power) to make this purchase feasible, then all the best to them. And just keep a look out for 'K20 TF' the next time you're on track, it's faster than it looks!

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MG TF
Price: £24,995
Why you should: 350hp per tonne, useful other upgrades, not likely to see another!
Why you shouldn't: See the price...

See the original advert here.

Watch the dyno run (with flames!) here.

[Source: Autocar]

 

[QuattroDave]

I don't know what the appeal is of these but I've long since suspected I'll end up with one of these on my drive one day as a cheap track hack. WOuldn't get this one with the price being asked though. Part of the appeal of these are they're incredibly cheap and a hoot to drive so I've been told.