Tuesday 14th January 2003

MG in top Branding Deal

MG team up with John Judd to create MG XPower V8 and V10

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[MEMSDesign]

Sounds like very good news to me. Like the picture caption 'Three Engines'. Very dry.

[danger mouse]

Definately a brave move. The logic of taking part in the kart series is plain to see in terms of expanding MG's marketing horzons, but it would be nice to see them taking a more prominent place in European if not to say British motorsport.

Come home boys.

Is there any likleyhood of this partnership bearing accessable road-going fruit? Where is this taking MG the car company? Is it just throwing business cards in the air and hoping the wind carries them to someone who might also buy an MG road car?

Here's to a V10 powered XZT450...

...or something


Mouse

>> Edited by danger mouse on Tuesday 14th January 12:28

[MEMSDesign]

I thought the master plan was to re-engineer the ZT as rear wheel drive, and then drop in a V8. Can't remember where I read it, but it sounds like a fun idea. Don't know if it is still on the agenda.

[danger mouse]

I read that too, but why have a poxy V8 when you can drop in a V10?

Weren't they going to use a GM V8, a Northstar or one like that?

>> Edited by danger mouse on Tuesday 14th January 09:43

[andymadmak]

danger mouse said: I read that too, but why have a poxy V8 when you can drop in a V10?

Weren't they going to use a GM V8, a Northstar or one like that?

>> Edited by danger mouse on Tuesday 14th January 09:43

No, it's a heavily modified Ford V8, and the prototypes are testing now. The car was due to be launched late last year, but should see light of day in the spring, assuming no problems.
Andy 400se

[PetrolTed]

This is the potential problem with the branding deals. Whilst it's good to spread the name around and associate it with good engineering, there's a danger of overdoing it and creating confusion.

[jamesc]

This is good news for two British companies; MG and Engine Developements. It also is an important move for British motorsport survival.

James

[MEMSDesign]

PetrolTed said: This is the potential problem with the branding deals. Whilst it's good to spread the name around and associate it with good engineering, there's a danger of overdoing it and creating confusion.

It confused me. But I'm not very bright.

[xsaravtr]

Maybe the new 2 litre unit will find its ways into the back of the Elise eventually...

[Gargamel]

Not so sure on the k2000 bit - sounds like wishful thinking

The k series was originally a 1.4 by design so is fully streched at 1.8 - witness the number of HGF in the mgf. It cannot be bored out further and even having the head skimmed is a risky job.

Dave andrews k series guru says its unlikely to ever be robust enough for a road car, and is doubtful even racers will find it reliable enough.

Don't think thats a runner - but am prepared to be proved wrong

[bluesandtwos]

There is a 2000cc K series in development. . . 250 bhp has been the power output quoted.

[andymadmak]

Surely the whole thing about the K series was that it was a "Long Bolt" sandwich construction.
Ergo, to make it 2.o litre wouldd't you just have to make a longer "block bit" (tech term) to fit twixt head and crank?
Just a thought.
I wonder if the delay to the 75V8 is cos they've decided to use the Judd (oops, I mean MG) engines instead of the Ford...........
Nah, they wouldn't be mad enough to do that, would they? Well, would they?
Andy 400se

[bennno]

this is being misunderstood, essentially they appear to have paid for the MG branding to have been applied to what was the Judd V8 and V10 racing engines.

the engines wont go anywhere near a road car, its a bit like when Mercedes wanted to go in to F1 so they paid Ilmor to brand the engines as mercedes and supply them to McLaren.

Bennno

[andymadmak]

Yeah, I know Benno. But a man can dream can't he?
Just imagine the chaos a 600 bhp V10 Rover 75 would cause on the parish whist drive! Yeeee Haaaaargh!
Andy 400se

[danger mouse]

Could they not stagger the bores in the block like the did with the works Mini cooper'S's? Then they could open the bores out a tiny bit more.

For a performance engine increasing the stroke is unlikely. Would give increased torque but would also impare the "revability". Possible though, especially if they aren't going N/A.

How about a supercharged 'K'2000 for you Elise?

Would this also pave the way fora 3 litre KV6?

[bennno]

dont believe anybody does a 2L K series due to the bolts, but you can already have a 220bhp+ road engine from their official MG engine outlet (Power Train Products).




Bennno

[Alex]

Are the MG-branded Engine Development engines RACE engines or ROAD engines? I interpreted the story to mean RACE engines. Ted?

[bennno]

absolutely, as below they have sponsored judd engines making the name of the engines MGF Power or something

nothing to do with the road engines or the V8's in the saloons or the SV.

bennno

>> Edited by bennno on Tuesday 14th January 16:02

[krispy]

bennno said:
dont believe anybody does a 2L K series due to the bolts, but you can already have a 220bhp+ road engine from their official MG engine outlet (Power Train Products).

Bennno

There was a 2.0L K-series on show at Autosport International last week.

Kris..