Rover revives MG GT concept
Adds hard top and more power to MG TF
Rover is to expand its range of MG sports cars by adding a fixed head version. The MG GT concept, which Rover calls "a modern day expression of the beloved MGB GT from the trendy 1960s", also gets a more powerful engine. The company says that, just as the MG GT got a 3-litre straight six (MGC) and a 3.5-litre V8 (MGB GT V8), so the engineers have developed this latest concept around the 2.5-litre KV6 engine. Raising power to 200bhp, performance is predicted to give the GT sub-six second zero to 60mph acceleration and a top speed of 145mph. The increase in speed is aided by the reduced drag GT style, cutting the aerodynamic drag coefficient from 0.35 to 0.31.
Rover engineers and planners are considering ideas for the next generation of the car, and this is one of the ideas they says they have been researching. According to Rover, many of the ‘warmer climate’ markets prefer sports cars to have an integrated, coupe style and air conditioning to cope with high summer temperatures. Also, says Rover, recent models like the Audi TT have shown that hardtops can be highly popular for customers who prefer the style of a fixed-head coupe.
Other features on the MG GT concept car include 17-inch Gunsmoke five-spoke OZ alloy wheels, similar in design to the MG XPower SV. An extended front aero splitter is balanced by a longer tail-spoiler integrated into the bootlid design, generating reduced lift at speed.
New door mirrors feature integral side direction indicator lamps and the switch for the electronic door opening feature, that in the process have eliminated the external door handles for a clean exterior design profile. The interior is trimmed with Burgundy red leather seats, with the fascia and door casings also following the same colourway.
Peter Stevens, MG’s design director says, “We would love to expand the MG TF range with a high-performance MG GT which has inspiring handling, practicality and great looks. The KV6 engine combines a superb soundtrack with a surge of power and a wider performance envelope to drive within - perfect for a sports car.”
Rover called the MG TF "the UK’s best selling sports car", and plans to tweak the design further next year.
- forgot to say, this one's a concept too.
>> Edited by squirrelz on Tuesday 16th November 08:52
But will they give it the power to match the looks. If they gave it 280bhp for example it would become a Boxster Coupe S competitor. If only 240bhp then the standard Coupe, maybe.
Given the price point MGTFs are at this could be an interesting car...
thepeoplespal said:
Doesn't look too bad, would think they'd need a bit more ommph that the k-series v6 though. 260bhp V8 anyone?
No, keep it in TT-league and forget about the S2000 / Boxter to compete with: it just won't work.
They better stick to 250 bhp max from that 2.5 . . . IMO.
squirrelz said:
There's a new Rover Coupe too, pictures are at <a href="http://www.mg-rover.org">www.mg-rover.org</a>
- forgot to say, this one's a concept too.
>> Edited by squirrelz on Tuesday 16th November 08:52
didn't BMW do one of those which they were going to badge "riley" it was rather elgant I think, that new rover one looks plain silly with the new nose slapped onto it
Come on rover/MG get it sorted!!
KV-6 engine...no way MG will get 250bhp out of that without Forced Induction - they haven't the powertrain engineers or the build quality to manage that. 200bhp is probably the practical maximum they could manage without expensive changes like direct injection or variable-valve timing.
Looks...dated. It'll be old-fashioned when it's released...and look how that's hurt Jaguar sales!!!
I was hoping MG would bring out a K V6 (GT?) Version - they let me wait quite a while - but good things need time.
Any ideas about the price Tag?
If it is reasonable cheaper then the TT it will be a sucess.
I guess it will be rather Expensive to maintain, (no more chance to excess the engine from the top), but who cares.
www.mg-rover.org/articles/showart.php?ArtID=525
Newromancer said:Erm, anyone who buys it from you after the warranty has run out???
Yes!!!
I guess it will be rather Expensive to maintain, (no more chance to excess the engine from the top), but who cares.
I can't see anyone wanting to pay any serious money for a 3- or 4-year old, mid-engined coupe (where you can't work on the engine without a ramp), from a mfr with a reputation for poor reliability.
So residuals are going to be abysmal for the class...so the "real" purchase cost of the car (i.e. depreciation over the (assumed) 3 years of ownership) is going to be similar to the TT/350Z/...so which badge are you going to go for???
e.g £20k MG-GT vs £25k 350Z vs £26k TT. Residuals after 3 years are (at a guess) £8k vs £13k vs £15k
So the MG has cost you £12k; the 350Z £12k; the TT £11k.
Still look like a good option???
Midengine cars are espensive to maintain ... and MG's are even worse.
However, as expensive as it is ... it is every 5 years and you can prepare yourself to it.
Okay, I never driven the 350Z (I really should ask a friend to let me drive it once around the block.)
But, when I was up to buy the MGF, I figured out that it is actually smaller inside then the Z3 (who belonged to a friend, the first roadster I drove and brought me up to the idea of buying somethng like this), so I had a look at the competition ... like the Audi TT.
The Audi TT is a good car ... it accelerates nicely and if you drive a lot on the freeway (Autobahn) it is for 100% a better car then the MG.
However, if you love curvy B-roads and hills ... and just want to accelerate out from one corner and let yourself run smoothly into the next ... if that is what you want, the MG quite simply plays in the different league.
Now lets say you cam back from the test drive. The TT was well made and did was it promised, but the MG made you grin for houers even days after you stopped driving it ... what would you buy?
The more expensive but reliable TT?
Or the cheaper, but more expensive to maintain MG?
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