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Australian Car GuideYou're on the Australian Car Guide. Buy, sell and discuss cars at eCars. |
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Four Wheel Drive
2001 September: X80 prototypes shown. 
2001 June, right:
The MGF X-Power 500, first of MG's "extreme"
cars built is one-off demonstrators.
This one is based on the rear engined MGF which normally has
a modest 1.8 litre 4-cylinder motor, but
in this case a 370 (500Ps) unit is fitted
driving a 6-speed sequential gearbox.
The engine is based on the 2001 MG
Le-Mans
race engine.
The track is 4" wider than standard
at the front, 6" wider at the rear.
The car is not for sale; its purpose is to help create a new image for
MG. 2001 June: MG announced that it will launch a 4.6-litre V8 sports car, the [X80], in 2002. 2001 May: Two
MG Lola
prototypes are entered in the 2001
Le Mans 24-hour race.
(They retired with mechanical problems.)
This is part of a big push into motor sport by MG.
A new subsidiary `MG Sport & Racing Ltd' has been created
together with a new brand, 
2001 March, Geneva: MG Rover revealed the MG ZR hot hatch (right), MG ZS 4-door & hatchback, and MG ZT saloon (below). The ZR uses the 1.8-litre engine also found in the MGF Trophy 160 SE.
A special model, the Ultimate,
will be based on a works rally car. 
The MG ZS is based on the Rover 75 and has a 130 2.5 litre V6. (This sort of grille engineering is what the old BMC used to do to no great effect; let's hope MG Rover does not fall into the old traps.) The MG ZT (left) uses an "uprated version of the new
Rover 75's [dohc] V6" (145).
It drives a Getrag 5-speed manual gearbox.
The suspension is said to be considerable firmer than that of the Rover 75.
The top model will be
a rear wheel drive (!) 190 V8.
Now that could be a genuine BMW rival
if MG Rover gets it right. 
2001 March: The MGF sports car range now includes the 1.8i at 42,270, MGF Steptronic 45,490 (right), and MGF VVC (Variable Valve Control, 107) 49,990 ( 3/2001). All MGFs have a mid-mounted 1.8 litre 4-cylinder engine,
rear wheel drive and
Hydragas interconnected springs.
The Steptronic
gives a choice of automatic or 6 speed sequential manual
gear selection. 
The MGF Trophy 160SE (left) is a limited edition (500 world wide) version of the VVC, breathed on the give 117, with an AP racing brake system, and 16" wheels - 54,990. Warranty is 3 year/ 100,000km. Rivals: Lotus Elise, Mazda MX 5 & Toyota MR 2. MG and Rover cars are now no longer under BMW and are separate from Ford-owned Land Rover. MGs are sold in Australia through 11 MG Rover dealerships. Go to the
Rover,
Classic Cars
and
vehicle
pages
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