The MG MGF is a mid-engined roadster car manufactured and marketed by the MG division from 1995 to 2011. It was produced by three manufacturers: Rover Group, MG Rover, and MG Motor.
History of the MG MGF
MG stopped producing sports cars in 1980 when British Leyland closed their Abingdon, Oxfordshire plant, although the badge of MG was used on badge-engineered hatchbacks and saloons between 1982 and 1991. In 1992, the company (by this time Rover Group) restarted production of the classic MGB as the limited edition RV8, and positive reaction led the company to continue to develop the MG F. During the 1980s, a number of new MG sports cars had been hinted at with the appearance of concept cars at motor shows, but none of these cars ever went into production. By 1991, Rover was working on a new mid-engined sports car similar in size (and expected to be similar in price) to the recently launched Mazda MX5 and Lotus Elan. The final product, the MG F, was finally unveiled on 8 March 1995, and went on sale in September that year with a 1.8L 120 bhp engine, and was joined several months later by a 145 bhp VVC (variable valve control) version. It was hugely popular and received plaudits for its excellent ride and handling. The MG F received a mild facelift in August 1999, by which time a high-performance Supersport version was reportedly in the pipeline, but this version was never launched; the highest-performance MG F model was the 160 bhp Trophy model which joined the range a year after the facelift. It was revised and renamed using the historic TF name in January 2002, but production was halted, following the collapse of the MG Rover Group in April 2005. However, after Nanjing Automobile Group acquired the rights to the MG TF, the completion of the new factory for MG in Nanjing saw production being restarted in March 2007 before finally being stopped in 2011 without an immediate successor.
Price
The price range for a used MG F varies based on the trim level you choose. Starting at $3,500 and going to $8,000 for the latest year the model was manufactured.
Features of the MG MGF
Exterior Features
The MG showed a new concept for the F's front fascia. It featured rounded headlights and oval-shaped blinkers and parking lights installed in the bumper. The split grille that sported the company's badge on a vertical slat in the middle resembled some older MG models but in a subtle way. From its profile, the roadster looked balanced, with the driver seating in the middle of the car since the cabin was moved forward to make room for the engine. Behind the doors, on the lower sides, the automaker installed air-intakes, which were not for decoration. Finally, at the back, the twin exhaust pipes poked through the bumper.
Interior Features
The two-seat cabin was cramped for full-grown adults and divided by the center console. The dashboard sported a twin-cockpit layout. In front of the driver, MG installed a small instrument cluster just big enough to sport a four-dials layout. On the center stack, the carmaker added two additional gauges above the stereo, while the controls for the HVAC system were placed at the bottom.
Specs and Performance of the MG MGF
Engines:
- 1.6 L K-Series I4
- 1.8 L K-Series I4
- 1.8 L K-Series VVC I4
The MG MGF's 1.8L engine delivers 158 hp (118 kW) at 6,900 rpm and 128 lb-ft (174 Nm) of torque at 4,700 rpm. MG marketed the MGF as a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) vehicle, and it was available with a 5-speed manual transmission. The MG MGF accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 kph) in 7.1 seconds, with a top speed of 137 mph (221 kph). Dimension-wise, the MG MGF measures 3,962 mm (156 in) long, 1,651 mm (65 in) wide, and 1,270 mm (50 in) high. Its wheelbase measures 2,380 mm (93.7 in) and has a curb weight of 2,403 lbs (1,090 kg).
Release Date
The MG MGF was released from 1995 to 2011.