MG F

Infobox Automobile
name = MG F and TF


manufacturer = MG Rover
production = 1995–2005, 2007–present
class = roadster
body_style = 2-seat convertible
predecessor = MGB
MG RV8
layout = RMR
engine = 1.6 L "K-Series" Straight-4
1.8 L "K-Series" Straight-4
1.8 L VVC "K-Series" Straight-4

The MG F, later the MG TF, is a mid-engined, rear wheel drive roadster originally launched in 1995. It was the first, all-new car to bear the MG marque since the launch of the MG MGB in 1962 (which ceased production in 1980). It was produced from 1995 until 2005, when MG Rover went into receivership, only to resume production in 2007 under the company's new owners Nanjing Automobile of China.

History

MG had stopped producing sports cars in 1980 when British Leyland closed their Abingdon plant near Oxford, although the MG badge was used on badge-engineered hatchbacks and saloons between 1982 and 1991. In 1992, the company restarted production of the classic MGB as the limited-edition RV8, and positive reaction (and the success of new-parent BMW's Z3) led the company to develop the MG F. It was revised and renamed using the historic "TF" name in 2002, but future production plans were in doubt following the collapse of the MG Rover Group in 2005. The completion of Nanjing Automobile Group's MG factory in Nanjing saw production being restarted in March 2007.

Mark I

Infobox Automobile generation


name = MG "F" Mark I
production = 1995–1999 The MG "F" was launched in the autumn of 1995 by the Rover Group, making it the third all-new car to be launched in its first full year since the BMW takeover. It was powered by a 1.8 L "K-Series" 16-valve engine, the basic having 118 hp (87 kW) while the more powerful VVC (variable valve control) had 145 hp (101 kW). Rover Special Projects oversaw the development of the F's design and before finalising the styling bought-in outside contractors to determine the most appropriate mechanical configuration for the new car. MGA Developments produced the initial design concept (which some have argued was a scaled-up version of the Honda Beat), before Rover's in house design team refined and the concept under the leadership of Gerry McGovern. An interesting feature of the "F" was its Hydragas suspension, a system employing interconnected fluid and gas displacers which provided a surprisingly compliant ride but which could be tuned to provide excellent handling characteristics. The MG "F" quickly shot to the top of the affordable sports car charts in Britain and remained there until the introduction of the MG TF in 2002.

Mark II

infobox Automobile generation
name = MG "F" Mark II
production = 1999–2002

The MG "F" underwent a facelift in Autumn of 1999 and gave the car a revised interior as well as styling tweaks and fresh alloy wheels designs. There was also the introduction of a base 1.6 version and a more powerful 160 hp (119 kW) variant called the "Trophy 160", which had a 0-60 mph time of 6.9 seconds. It was only produced for a limited time. An automatic version with a CVT called the "Steptronic" was also introduced. The MG "F" continued to sell well in spite of the sale of the Rover Group, which was announced in March 2000. Land Rover was sold to Ford, while the MG and Rover marques were sold to the Phoenix consortium for £10. In spite of competition from the likes of Mazda MX-5, BMW Z3 and Audi TT, the MG "F" still proved fairly popular.

TF

infobox Automobile generation
name = MG TF Mark I


production = 2002–2005

infobox Automobile generation
name = MG TF Mark II
production = 2007–present
engine = 1.6 L "N-Series engine" A facelift in 2002 saw the MG F rebadged MG TF, after the classic MG TF. The most significant mechanical changes were the abandonment of Hydragas suspension in favour of conventional coil springs, the new design of the air-induction system that along with new camshafts produces more power than in MG F engines, and the torsional stiffness of the body increased by 20%. Various cosmetic tweaks include a revised grille, redesigned front headlights, bumpers, side air-intake grills, rear boot, etc. The MG TF was the first car of its class to be awarded a leading 4-star safety performance from Euro NCAP.

Like the MG F before it, the MG TF outsold the rest of the competition put together in the UK every year throughout its production life. However, the Mazda MX-5 still remains the worlds best selling sportscar, production was suspended in 2005 when MG Rover collapsed.

Nanjing Automobile Group production

Nanjing Automobile Group, which bought MG Rover's remaining assets during bankruptcy proceedings, restarted full production in August 2008. It aims to build 200,000 TF's a year at its Nanjing factory. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6497959.stm Chinese plant rolls out first MG] - BBC News. Retrieved 27 March 2007.] Experts from the Longbridge factory were involved in building the new TF's in Nanjing. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/6499761.stm In pictures: Chinese MG cars] - BBC News. Retrieved 27 March 2007.] The company has also indicated its plan to manufacture the MG TF in Ardmore, Oklahoma, [ [http://www.ardmoredevelopment.com/MGReleaseFinal.pdf Ardmore, OK, Chamber of Commerce Press Release] ] and Longbridge, UK, starting in early 2008. [ cite web | title = MG car line reborn with a made-in-China label | url = http://www.boston.com/cars/news/articles/2007/06/10/mg_car_line_reborn_with_a_made_in_china_label/ ]

The MG TF re-commenced production at the NAC MG Plant in Longbridge, Birmingham, United Kingdom on 1 August 2008, more than three years after the facility had closed due to MG Rover's bankruptcy.

Gasket

The K-series engine used in the F is well-known for its head gasket problems.Fact|date=March 2007 Although the pre-2000 MG Fs had Nylon dowels for locating the head to the block, these were updated in 2000 to metal. This stopped one cause of head gasket failure when the head would move very slightly against the gasket. A modified head gasket is available from Land Rover which can be retro-fitted to the older models to correct the problem.In the 2005 model year updates, MG Rover added a low coolant sensor to the MG TF, which should virtually eradicate the problem from the car when coolant loss is at fault as the driver will be warned prior to any serious damage occurring. Destined to be introduced with the EUIV emissions compliant engine in late 2005 was a revised triple layer gasket and strengthened oil rail. The aim of the latter is to improve engine rigidity. But this was never introduced on the MG TF made by MG Rover Group as the company had gone bankrupt by the time of the planned launch.

In the MG TF which will be launched by Nanjing Automotive in September 2008, the 'N' series engine (basically the aforementioned EUIV compliant K Series) will have these modifications as standard.

See also

* MG 7

References

External links

* [http://www.nacmg.com/en/range/mgtf.html Nanjing MG Motor Company's MG TF page]
* [http://www.mgf-tf-central.co.uk/ MG F/TF Central, a one stop shop for links, tips, tricks and how to's]
* [http://www.mg-rover.org Forums and information on the MG Rover range]
* [http://www.austin-rover.co.uk Resource on all cars from MG, MG Rover and its predecessors]
* [http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group1/MGF_concepts/extreme.htm EXTREME MGF and Concepts Page]
* [http://www.mgcars.org.uk/news/news378.html EX255 Press Release]
* [http://www.mgcars.org.uk/cambs.mgoc/EX-F.htm The convert|217|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on MGF, The Daily Telegraph Saturday 30/8/97]
* [http://www.austinmemories.com Austin Memories]
* [http://www.avtokolor.ru/ Hydragas pump-up service] - service for MGF's hydragas suspension in Moscow, Russia