MG: The Iconic British Sports Car
Published: 24th January 2004
The new business strategy was product development led and the first evidence of this were new model introductions to a revised MGF range. A new 1.6-litre entry model and race-inspired Trophy SE, itself producing 160Ps, were launched in January with 2001, with MG sales peaking in the models final year.
January 2001 started with the announcement of a new range of MG Saloon models and followed by a whirlwind of activity. An assault at the Le Mans 24-hour race in June with the MG Lola LMP675 ran in torrential wet weather setting an impressive pace. An announcement to acquire the Qvale Automotive business for a future MG supercar preceded the launch in July of the MG saloons - the ZR, ZS and ZT models, which won widespread acclaim. The ZS was entered British Touring Car Championship for the remaining season and managed to take both a pole position and a win, in only its third outing.
Another quick start in 2002 saw the early launch of the successor to the MGF – up until then the best selling sports car in the UK over six years - the new MG TF. The TF carried new styling and suspension improvements and a competent four-model range. In a matter of months the MG product range had been refreshed and grow four-fold.
A number of product derivatives were introduced during the year, including diesel variants of the ZS and ZT and new turbo-charged engine for the 1.8T ZT. In October, the Birmingham Motor Show saw the debut of MG’s most powerful, and expensive car yet - the MG XPower SV which boasted a potential 965hp and a price of c£75,000.
More derivative models were introduced in 2003 in the form of lower priced ZS 110 and ZT 120 models, but the introduction of the 4.6-litre ZT 260 V8 really captured the public’s imagination. Driven by the rear wheels the practical muscle car was a masterpiece of understatement and aural excitement. It was fast too.
2004 is the 80th anniversary of MG. The virtues of the brand have long stood for sports car motoring, combining affordability and sheer driving pleasure. This continues at all levels in the range of cars that proudly continue to wear the Octagon badge.
