MG F / MG TF
The MG F (since 2002: MG TF ) is a two-seater mid -engined roadster, the MG Rover Group originally brought out in the fall of 1995. It was the first new, specially designed as an MG car since the launch of the MGB in the spring of 1962, whose production was discontinued in late 1980.
The Roadster was produced until mid- 2005 when MG Rover went bankrupt.
From spring 2007 until the end of 2011 was the production under the new owners Nanjing Automobile Group of China.
History
MG had the end of 1980 the production of sports car set, as BLMC closed its factory in Abingdon. In the years 1982 to 1991 only sports compact cars and sedans carried the MG Rover badge.
Began in 1992, the MG Rover Group, with production of the MGB RV8 and based on the positive customer reaction brought the company to the MG F hang up. In 2002, the car was renamed the "MG TF" in memory of the successful roadster model of the 1950s.
From the early summer of 2005, a further production was no longer possible due to the comparison method of the MG Rover Group. However, in March 2007, when the Nanjing Automobile Group had their MG factory in Nanjing finished, the production began again. It lasted until the end of 2011.
Models
MG F (type RD, 1995-1999)
MG F 1.8 ( 1995-1999)
The MG F was presented in autumn 1995 by the MG Rover Group. The market launch in Germany in January 1996.
The MG F was the third new model that came out in the 12 months after the takeover by BMW. The car had made a 1.8 -liter inline four- cylinder engine of the Rover K - series, 16-valve, in the base version of 88 kW (120 hp) and in the VVC version with variable valve timing 107 kW (146 hp). Rover Special Projects oversaw the development of the construction and commissioned prior to their completion of external service providers with the selection of the best proposals for the mechanical design. MGA Developments provided the original design principle (which many thought was an enlarged Honda Beat ), which is then further developed MG- Rover engineers under Gerry McGovern.
Sideview
An interesting detail on the F was the Hydragas chassis, a system in which care interconnected fluid shock absorbers and gas springs for an amazing ride, but that could be adjusted to better handling.
The MG F fired immediately after his performance at the top of the list 's most popular sports car in the UK. He remained there until the introduction of the successor of TF in spring 2002.
MG F (type RD, 1999-2002)
MG F (1999-2002)
In the fall of 1999, the MG F underwent a facelift. The vehicle received a new interior styling modifications and changes for aluminum rims.
There was now a four-cylinder base engine with 1.6 liter displacement and 85 kW (115 hp) and a high-performance version Trophy 160 with 118 kW (160 hp). This accelerated from 0-100 km / h in 6.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 220 km / h The Trophy but was only built in 2500 times.
In spring 2000, a version with CVT transmission ( Steptronic ) was introduced, which had an output of 88 kW (120 hp).
The F -selling, despite the sale of MG Rover Group by BMW, which was announced in March 2000, continues to be good. Land Rover went to Ford, while the MG and Rover brands were sold to the Phoenix Consortium for £ 10. Despite the competition from Mazda MX -5, BMW Z3 and Audi TT MG F remained quite popular.
Rear view
Interior
MG TF (2002-2005)
MG TF 160 (2002-2005)
In another facelift in the spring of 2002 from the F of the MG TF, named after the classic MG TF -1950s.
The main changes were the replacement of the Hydra gas system by conventional coil springs, the redesign of the intake for the engine, which provided along with the new camshaft for more power, and increasing the torsional rigidity of the body by 20%. There were also some styling changes like a new grille, revised headlights, bumper and air intakes, hood, etc. The 1.6 - liter four -cylinder engine in the MG TF 85 kW (115 hp). In addition to the 1.8 -liter versions with 88 kW ( 120 hp ) or 118 kW (160 hp), a third version with 100 kW ( 136 hp ) was also offered.
The MG TF was the first car in its class, which received four stars in the Euro NCAP crash test. He also received the coveted " Cabrio of the Year 2002" from the COTY jury.
The MG F / TF was in the nearly eleven years of production, the most successful and best-known MG model in England. Probably because of the WEEE and RoHS legislation of the MG TF was systematically changed in the years 2002 to 2004 to compliance in the individual details, externally distinctive recognizable by the replacement of the PVC rear window through a heated glass rear window for a small number of 631 MG TF year 2005.
As the MG F before and the MG TF has sold better than its competitors during its entire production period in the UK. The production was set in mid-2005, when the MG Rover Group collapsed.
Fittings
Production at the Nanjing Automobile Group
While the production of various Rover were dismantled and shipped to China, remained among others, the line for the MG TF at Longbridge. On 21 February 2006 signed the Nanjing Automobile Group, who bought the remains of MG Rover during the comparison process, a lease agreement for southern plant in Longbridge. There was the paint shop, two vehicle production lines and offices.
From may 2007 there was finally assembled by the end of 2011, the new MG TF. There around 150 new jobs were created. The revised form of the carriage drew on design elements of the MGF of 1995. After repeatedly shifted the start of sales in the UK as a result of quality problems with procured from China supplier parts of the sale of 500 right-hand drive MG TF in August 2008 with the special model TF LE 500 launched in six colors. The production should be continued in 2009 in a small series for the English market, but stagnating sales of LE500 models. One tries in early 2009 even this right-hand drive for sale on the mainland. Overall, only 906 vehicles were produced.
In addition, the TF was built at a new plant in Nanjing, China, which was designed for up to 200,000 vehicles annually.