Picture Of MG Mgf Cars

This is the current specification for the MG Mgf Cars

MGF 1.8i

Type : K Series
Position : Mid-mounted transverse
Head/Block material : Alloy/Alloy
Main bearings : 5
Cylinders : 4
Configuration : in-line
cc : 1796
Bore x Stroke (mm) : 80.0 x 89.3
Compression ratio : 10.5 :1
Valves per cylinder : 4
Camshaft configuration : DOHC
Camshaft drive : Belt
Fuelling type : multi-point injection
Fuel specification : EN228 95 RON ULG

Picture Of MG Mgf Cars

In keeping with MG tradition there aren't too many toys in the MGF, but you do get electric windows and central locking as standard, together with a decent stereo which can still be heard with the roof down due to the MGF's low levels of wind noise and buffeting. On the options list is a six-CD autochanger and air conditioning. Also available later will be a luggage rack for the boot, ski & bike carriers, and of course MGF mudflaps.


MG have always claimed "Safety Fast", and this is very applicable to the MGF. Rover claim that the F is amongst the stiffest sports cars ever produced. Having the engine at "mid-ships" leaves a large crumple zone at the front end, add to this door beams and waistline rails for side-impact protection, a windscreen which includes a high-tensile steel roll bar, seatbelt pre-tensioners and airbags, and you get one of the strongest and safest sports cars on the road at the current time.


The MGF has remote-control "superlocking" (deadlocking) and an engine immobiliser. The alarm protects the car even while the hood is down, and the stereo has a removable front panel. The boot can only be opened by the key, and the bonnet can only be opened from inside the boot, giving the MGF a high level of security as standard.

Picture Of MG Mgf Cars

By putting the engine in the middle, Rover have been able to use its tried and tested transverse engine layout, whilst retaining the ability to use rear wheel drive. This also means they are able to use an equally tried and tested gearbox (from Honda), which is the same as is fitted to the Rover 600 and hence offers a gearchange with lots of feel, but it a little imprecise.


Like a true sportscar the MGF has fully independent suspension with double wishbones both at the front and rear. This is damped by the now well tuned Hydragas suspension system (first seen on the Allegro!) instead of more conventional springs and dampers. This is fine tuned through the use of anti-roll bars both front and rear.


The MGF's steering is by rack and pinion, but get the VVC model (or pay for the option) and you get the new speed-sensitive electric power steering system which works in a similar manner to that of the Honda NSX. Brakes are servoed discs all round with the ABS optional on the 1.8i and standard on the VVC.

Picture Of MG Mgf Cars

Hidden somewhere in the middle of the MGF is an engine. It is brand new, totally British, and also happens to be very good too since it is based on the very successful K-series engine.
For the MGF, the K-series engine has been bored and stroked out to 1,796cc. This required Rover to come up with the "damp" liner, ultra-lightweight pistons, and a plastic inlet manifold. All this results in 118bhp at 5,500rpm and 121 lb/ft at 3,000rpm. Rover claim that this results in a top speed of 120mph, and a 0-60 time of 8.5 seconds.


By the end of the year, there will be a more powerful version with VVC - Variable Valve Control. Unlike Honda's V-TEC engine, VVC offers an infinitely variable cam period between two limits, though the amount of lift remains constant. The VVC equipped K-series has 25% more power (143bhp @ 7,000rpm) and 5% more torque (128lb/ft @ 4,500rpm). Fuel consumption should remain the same, but the VVC is 10mph faster with a max of 130mph and should reach 60 in seven seconds.

Picture Of MG Mgf Cars

For such a small car the interior space is very generous, there is a large amount of leg room and plenty of headroom even when the roof is up. Other interior features are typically Rover, which generally fit in well with the overall look of the interior of the car.


The mid-engined layout leads to a high rear end to the car, and the rapidly disappearing bonnet line behind the relatively high dashboard could lead to visibility problems for the shorter MGF driver. But to compensate for this the almost fixed driving position is quite high in the cars, giving the feeling that you are sitting on the car rather than in it.


Rover has done well to cram so much equipment into a cars so small. And it is claimed that the boot is big enough to take two sets of golf clubs in relative comfort (7.4cu ft). Although there is space under the bonnet, most of this is taken up by the radiator, battery, ABS unit, and space-saver spare wheel, and is exposed to road dirt and grime.

Picture Of MG Mgf Cars

Picture Of MG Mgf Cars