Tag Archives: XPower

Last British 2 Seat MG – MG TF

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When MG Rover face lifted the mid engined MG F sports car in 2002 they gave it the same TF name as last seen on the 1955 MG TF Midget. Little did they know at the time that this would become the last new British 2 seat MG to reach market.

MG TF, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

Many of the face lift details were carried over from the MG TF XPower 500 Concept Car first seen at Le Mans in 2001.

MG TF, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

Despite it’s overall styling which dated back to 1995 the MG TF matched it’s rivals from Mazda (MX5) and Toyota (MR2) in handling, performance and held it’s own in the domestic sales league.

MG TF, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

However the TF’s mid mounted Rover K series motor was subject to numerous head gasket failures until a new multi layered item was designed which cured this particular issue.

MG TF, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

Production of MG TF’s ceased when Rover MG went bankrupt in 2005 but restarted in the UK from Chinese supplied Complete Kockdown Kits (CKD) in 2008 after new owners Nanjing had transferred all the TF production assets to China. 906 CKD TF’s were built before production ceased for good in 2011.

Thanks for this “Last British 2 Seat MG” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Rocket Powered Unicycle – MG TF XPower 500 #SARRDWBGBWD034240

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Just like I write “Gettin a li’l psycho on tyres”, because I find it quite irresistable it would appear when MG Rover got ditched by BMW MG went and built today’s unique, as in only one of, MG TF XPower 500 for exactly the same reason.

MG TF XPower 500, Silverstone Auctions, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

Sensational and equally outrageuous the MG TF XPower 500, was first shown to the public at Le Mans in 2001 alongside it’s Lola LM780 chassis Le Mans challenger.

MG TF XPower 500, Silverstone Auctions, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

Sitting on low profile 17″ road tyres and wheels the MG TF XPower 500 has a seam welded MG TF body which incorporates a racing standard survival cell, flared wheel arches and some aerodynamic aids to help keep the car on the ground.

MG TF XPower 500, Silverstone Auctions, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

Go for the MG TF XPower 500 comes from the same source as MG’s Lola MG Le Mans challenger namely a mid monunted Cosworth 2000 Le Mans XP20 2 litre / 122cui 4 cylinder turbo charged motor that produces 400 hp which transmits its power to the rear wheels through a 6 speed X-Trac sequential gearbox. Racing 4 pot AP disc brakes are used to slow the car down which has a ‘theoretical’ top speed in excess of 180 mph depending on the gear ratio’s used.

MG TF XPower 500, Silverstone Auctions, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

When Tony Dron tested the car with former Le Mans winner Mark Blundell he obseved the front wheels don’t do much in the corners and he was advised by Mark to suggest “Just think of the back end”. Tony noted “He’s right: imagine a rocket-powered unicycle and you get the idea.”

Thanks for joining me on this “Rocket Powered Unicycle” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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