Auto Express :: Stunning drop-top SV-R blows cover

[GT]

HIDDEN away in a quiet corner of a workshop is the future of the MG SV-R – and our exclusive picture reveals it’s ready to raise the roof in the supercar class.

The shot was taken by an insider at MG Sport and Racing, and shows the drop-top will feature a manual cloth hood. Power comes from the same 520bhp supercharged Ford V8 as the coupé driven on Page 26.

This prototype was snapped at the firm’s plant in Eardiston, Worcs, where it’s being readied for testing this summer.

The car is part of the product offensive planned by MG Sport and Racing’s new owner, William Riley. Speaking exclusively to Auto Express, Riley revealed he aims to sell 2,000 cars a year from his purpose-built site, currently under expansion. Work is soon to start on an entry-level, £38,000, fibreglass-bodied SV-R with a 3.0-litre Ford V6. As our sketch shows, it loses the aggressive wheelarches and sharkfin vents of the SV-R for a sleeker, more graceful look.

Also on the way is an electric 150mph version, set to rival the Tesla roadster with a 5.0-second 0-60mph time. Construction of the green SV-R has begun, and on-road testing starts this year.

http://gallery.brit-cars.com/data//633/medium/car_photo_265632_25.jpg

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/223338/stunning-drop-top-sv-r-blows-cover.html

[MYCaptainChris]

Does anyone know how I can contact these guys.

With Jaguar no longer in British Hands and Aston still not in my reach, this is very likely to get on my shopping list.

[GT]

You know I can't seem to find the answer to that... :confused:

No signs of a website or 'call for more info' statements on any press, probably because the press isnt generated by MG X-Power, but by the likes of Birmingham Mail?

Luffield still seem to have an interest as I believe their MD has at least one SV himself, maybe worth contacting them?

[Tony]

They certainly seem to have big plans. V6 engine would probably be the 220bhp version in the Mondeo ST220 or Jag X-Type. Electric power could be fun if it has the range and ability to compare to the Tesla.

I can't help thinking it's a step too far too soon.

[AdrianMG]

Does anyone know how I can contact these guys.

With Jaguar no longer in British Hands and Aston still not in my reach, this is very likely to get on my shopping list.

You can ring them:

MG Sports & Racing (Europe) Ltd on 01584 810421.

or the address is:

MG Sports & Racing Europe Ltd.
Cranhills House
Eardiston
Tenbury Wells
Worcestershire
WR15 8JP

or you can email - but to spare him a bundle of spamming, if you'd like the address, PM me.

Adrian

[TechnoGoat]

Wasn't there a blurb about making the SV into a rag top in the PWC "please buy this company from us, this is what you could do" booklet.

And there is a website.

http://www.mg-x-power.com/

[TechnoGoat]

"New entry level SV convertible possibly too hardcore"
http://forum.brit-cars.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2456&d=1213319553
Um, I'll get my coat.


On a more serious note, the roof doesn't actually look like it can simply be chopped off - more work has (hopefully!) gone into this than I had first thought.
http://forum.brit-cars.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2457&d=1213320142
I don't think they'll be able to advertise this version with an Integrated FIA-specification roll cage, either :D

[AdrianMG]

According to some, the lack of the diagonal support would have negated an FIA approval anyway, but they did run XP1 as a convertible way back in the mists of time.

[GT]

I thought that part was intentional, as the tours always suggested that 'all it needs to be FIA spec was...' and they pushed it as a selling point?

Technogoat, you always seem to have such a bizaire archive of MG pictures lying around - good stuff! :D

[TechnoGoat]

Technogoat, you always seem to have such a bizaire archive of MG pictures lying around - good stuff! :D
And bonus points to you for noticing that the picture was in fact of a SV chassis ;)

[Tootall]

Remember that the SV is based on the Qvale Mangusta which was designed and built as a softtop ;) and i am sure that XP1 was just a re-skined Mangusta body.

[mg sv]

Hi there everyone,
my name is Paul Hughes and i am the Sales Manager for the NEW REVISED MG-WR-SV.
To answer some of your questions:
1.The new SV Convertible has met ALL FIA regulations and chopping the roof off was all done 'in house'by our top engineer Tony Cox who many might know from his days at Rover?It will be fitted with the 5litre Supercharged engine but will also be available with a 4.6litre engine.
2.The 3litre will be fitted with the new ford mondeo engine and will probably feature a high performance chip to boost the power.
3.The new SV's will be made to order so you can have the exterior and interior,virtually ANY colour you like.And has various bespoke optional extras.Also stereo,alloys upgrade to 20inch.
4.The SV is on sale now and are already hitting the roads with their new owners as we speak.
5.The top speed from the MG-WR-SV/S is a proven 207mph and 0-60 in just 3.8sec.But we are also doing a proper Club Sport which has approx 45bhp more and is stripped out as much as we dare,to make it even lighter.
If you have any more questions please do not hesitate to contact me on paul.hughes4@virgin.net
Regards

[Tony]

Hi Paul, welcome to BCF and thanks for the info. Can you say any more about the proposed electric version?

[MYCaptainChris]

I'm doing the hard sell with my girlfriend now. Already know what colour I want and may even have another person interested!!??

Dark, Dark red, With Tan interior........ :music049:

Any word on prices yet? (US)

[GT]

I'm rather confused about the new naming structure :confused:

[Tootall]

Paul this a geniune question form an ex-Longbridge worker do you really think that you can sell the SV seeing that only this morning i got an email from Wyles Hardy & Co who still have 17 on their books which they are still trying to shift ?

[TechnoGoat]

I wonder if the door handle is off on the prototype because somebody is finally working on a way for the keyhole to actually fit in the door handle - the rubber ring half way down the door is hardly fetching. An entry-level smaller Elise competitor (with similar price) would be tempting, too :D

Intresting that mg sv says they're on sale now - as AFAIK they've not been inspected by the VCA (http://www.vca.gov.uk) yet - thus no type approval, so the cars can't be sold, I assume He means pre-order. :)

A Factory tour would be fun :music049:

[Tony]

A Factory tour would be fun :music049:
Would be if there's enough interest.

[Rally Matt]

I think perhaps that MG SV (sales chappie) has misunderstood the difference between FIA and VCA regulations. FIA only administer and create the sporting regulations for World Motorsport, hence Techno's comment on the FIA roll cage element.

Actually getting type approval and certification for sale and use on the public highway is another thing entirely. As there was a break in production any newly built MG SV's will need to meet all the latest legislation (not sure how advanced that was under MGR S&R)

I also understand there are some unresolved issues of the use of any part of the MG name and likeness of the MG octagon device.

[Tootall]

Another question i take they will still be using the Fiat head & tail lights and the montego electric mirror switch?

[Ivantate]

Dont think they are going to tool up any new lights soon. Nothing wrong with the ones it has got.

Suppose the Grand Punto ones can be fitted to make it look more like a Maserati.

[Tootall]

Still no reply from the sales manager then :shrug:

[mg sv]

Paul this a geniune question form an ex-Longbridge worker do you really think that you can sell the SV seeing that only this morning i got an email from Wyles Hardy & Co who still have 17 on their books which they are still trying to shift ?Hi mate,the ones this place have are i think mainly left hand drive and have been stood(some of them) for over 4yrs.We were actually offered these vehicles but declined.:ukflag:

[TechnoGoat]

That's all that's left at W&H.
I think all the Oakfields stock has now sold.

Just out of interest, how does the SV do on "greenness"? I assume its road tax rating is as high as physically possible :D

[mg sv]

yeah,not too sure on the stats for that question.but something tells me thats why he is also trying to focus on the electric car,takes the whole feature off the sv emissions.:uk:

[Tony]

Are there any technical details for the electric version yet? How do you think it will compare to the Tesla?

[MYCaptainChris]

Not sure that you could compare the two really? Unless you just mean performance figures.
Such different cars, even though they are both sports cars.

I'd like to see dual fuel available on the V8, as I could never give up the V8 accoustics. Brazil seems to be big on the dual fuel cars but Europe is yet to experiment with it. I have seen the odd car in the states available but mostly SUV's.

An electric SV could really be a big hit in the states, especially in Cal where the hybrid has really taken off.

Is anyone else on the Forum considering buying the new SV?

[MYCaptainChris]

Will the SV-R be having the 6 speed box as per the Mustang SVT?

[Tony]

Not sure that you could compare the two really? Unless you just mean performance figures.
Such different cars, even though they are both sports cars.
Yep, referring to performance, range, charge time. Details like that will determine whether the car is a viable alternative to a petrol engine.

[mg sv]

I'm doing the hard sell with my girlfriend now. Already know what colour I want and may even have another person interested!!??

Dark, Dark red, With Tan interior........ :music049:

Any word on prices yet? (US)Hi Captain Chris,we have spoke via e-mails before.I thought i would give you a quick heads up about the SV.Steer well clear.Cant say any more than that at the moment.Will give you more info on Thurs 4th July.

[MYCaptainChris]

????????????????????

Very strange!!!!

[GT]

Paul, just to clarify... are you reffering to the current product, which seems to have been re-named the 'MG WR' or to the MG-Rover version of the car, the original MG SV?

[mg sv]

Hi there everyone,
my name is Paul Hughes and i am the ex-Sales Manager for the NEW REVISED MG-WR-SV.

Regardsforget all original stats.THEY'RE WELL WRONG.

[mg sv]

I am reffering to the so called 'NEW' sv!!!

[Tony]

Hi there everyone,
my name is Paul Hughes and i am the Sales Manager for the NEW REVISED MG-WR-SV.
I understand this is no longer the case.

[mg sv]

I understand this is no longer the case.No,it should read EX sales manager.For reasons the members might be very interested in!!!He has already threatened me with Legal action if i tell all so i have to seek legal advice before i let everyone know.Will put full details once i get the all clear.

[TechnoGoat]

another intresting read (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2d30b8c2-4a03-11dd-891a-000077b07658.html).

[MYCaptainChris]

Thats fine, I'll have mine without a badge. This car will create so much interest stateside that badge, no badge, MG or Riley badge, people are going to want to know what it is. If anything I almost suspect it would be better with a Riley badge so as to prevent the thoughts of the car being built by the chinese.

[Rally Matt]

Ironically they can't even use the family name on any cars as the Riley name belongs to BMW along with Triumph