Today at the Frankfurt Motor Show, MG Rover Group
released early details of their Monogram programme.
Available across the entire MG and Rover ranges, the
Monogram programme will offer a wide choice of carefully selected
exterior paint colours, trim materials and technical components,
enabling customers to personalise their vehicles.
Commenting on this initiative, John Sanders, group
marketing director at MG Rover Group stated: "The Monogram
programme will encourage customers to express their individuality in the
car they drive. It will incorporate a wide range of carefully chosen
items to create a personal ambience."
Featured at the Frankfurt Motor Show will be the first
vehicles to receive some elements of the Monogram treatment. The Rover
25 is finished in Oxygen Blue with matching interior, the MG ZT XPower
385 is painted in Typhoon - a new multi-colour pearlescent that flips
from purple to green - and the MG X80 is painted in Chromosphere -
another trichromatic colour whose spectrum turns from hot red to fiery
orange. |
MG Rover's design guru Peter Stevens and his team have been working flat out
on the project since June and today the MG X80 2+2 Coupe was revealed. It will
be on sale next summer and will be joined by a roadster in 2003. A variety of
power options from around 250bhp to over 370bhp will be available from the
4.6-litre V8 engines. Both manual and automatic transmissions will be available.
It's likely to be priced under £50,000.
The MG X80 uses a high-tech super-formed aluminium body, mounted to a steel
box section chassis. The chassis set-up and engineering specification have
evolved from the Qvale Mangusta, acquired by the company in June 2001.
It's got has independent wishbone suspension, and a front engine, rear-wheel
drive layout as befitting for a car of this type.
Potential features include Electronic Traction Control, limited slip
differential, ABS braking, 18" alloy wheels, air conditioning and a
six-speaker in-car entertainment system with radio/cassette and CD Autochanger.
Electric powered items include power windows, door mirrors, driver's seat
adjustment and a luxurious leather interior.
Rob Oldaker, product development director commented: "MG X80 is a
highly attractive proposition and a true flagship for the exciting MG product
range."
MG see the car as competing with the likes of the Porsche 911, Maserati
3200GT and Jaguar XK8.