MG to Launch Two New Versions of TF Roadster

Ah yes, the MG TF roadster, still fun to drive but let's face it, no makeup can cover its mid-1990s roots. Still, the British firm's Chinese owner is trying to make the best of it by announcing the launch of two new variants of the mid-engined roadster. First up is the new entry-level TF 135 that will go on sale in the UK this spring with an OTR of £13,511 (approx $20k or €15k) or about £2,500 lower than the TF LE500. Later in the summer, the TF 135 will be joined by a special edition model produced to mark the 85th Anniversary of the brand, the MG TF 85th Anniversary.

MG has yet to disclose photos of the anniversary model, but the firm said that it will be available in three special colors overlaid with "striking graphics" (whatever that means), new alloy wheels, specific trim options in the interior and a revised suspension setup with Bilstein shocks, Eibach anti roll system, lower ride height, an all new anti torsion pack and a modified wheel set up.

Prices for the MG TF 85th Anniversary will start at £15,664 on the road or £13,664 with the UK Government's scrappage scheme deduction.

Shanghai Show: MG Rover's MG6 to Enter Production in 2010

At the Shanghai Auto Show, SAIC Motors' MG division presented its first all-new model since acquiring the rights to the British firm's brand name in 2005. The sporty looking MG6 Concept, which is in fact a near production model that is scheduled to enter the Chinese market in 2010, was penned in the U.K. The five-door fastback is heavily based on the Roewe 550 four-door sedan which in turn uses a modified version of the old Rover 75's front-wheel drive platform and 1.8-liter K-Series engines.

Just like the 550, the production MG6 will be offered with naturally aspirated and turbocharged 1.8-liter gasoline engines producing 130 and 160-horsepower respectively. Power will be transferred to the front wheels via 5-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

Though not officially confirmed, rumor has it that MG's Chinese parent is considering to bring the MG6 initially in the U.K., and if the circumstances allow it, to other major European markets also.

MG6 Turbo: First Photos of China-Made MG Rover Liftback

At the center of MG's stage at next week's Shanghai Auto Show will be the all-new MG6 Turbo. The midsize five-door liftback is based on the platform and the mechanics of sister company Roewe's 550 sedan which in turn uses the underpinnings of the Rover 75 that was developed back in the late 1990's when the MG Rover Group belonged to BMW. The MG6 is powered by an upgraded version of Rover's K-series 1.8-liter turbocharged engine.

Speculation has it that the MG brand, which now belongs to China's SAIC Group along with Roewe, plans to sell the MG6 initially in the UK as early as 2010, and if all goes well, to the rest of Europe.

Roewe N1 Concept Sketches Surface on the Net

SAIC's renamed Rover division, Roewe, plans to unveil a new near-to-production concept car codenamed N1 at the 2009 Shanghai Auto Show that runs from April 20 to 28. While Roewe is being quite secretive about its new concept study, two official renderings of the subcompact sedan found their way into the net outlining the vehicle's sleek exterior styling. Speculation has it that the N1 is based on the underpinnings of the Chinese firm's 550 compact sedan which you can check out here.

Via: Worldcarfans

MG Rover MG6 Concept Based on Roewe 550 to Debut in Shanghai

Having already announced the Roewe N1 Concept, China's Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) that owns the rights to the MG Rover brand, revealed that its 2009 Shanghai Auto Show booth will also host the world premiere of the MG6 Concept. The five-door liftback model is based on the underpinnings of the Roewe 550 which was designed as SAIC's successor to the Rover 45.

Although details are still sketchy, the MG6 will most likely lead to a production version that might very well find its way into Europe where MG Rover already sells the resurrected TF LE500 in the U.K.

Powertrain options for the MG6 will be identical to those offered in the Roewe 550 including a 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine.

Resurrected MG TF LE500 hits UK Race Tracks

UK-based auto-repairer XPart is supporting one of the first MG TF LE500s to hit the race tracks since the model was raised from the dead last September by the firm's new Chinese owner, NAC MG. The British-built TF LE500 that has been prepared for racing by one of XPart's approved MG Rover specialists and MG Motor authorized repairer, Dreadnought Garage, will take part in this season's 12-round MG Trophy Championship. Among the car that run in the race are earlier MG TFs and the front-wheel drive MG ZR.

MG to Bring Three New Cars to Europe – U.S. Plans Scrapped

In addition to a revamped version of the current TF LE500 roadster, NAC, the Chinese owner of MG is planning to introduce three new models in Europe according to company’s managing director, Gary Hagen. “We’re planning a four-car range of MGs – first to arrive will be a mid-sized saloon sharing its platform with the Roewe 550. The planned introduction for this car is late 2010 and, looking at today’s marketplace, I see the main opposition as being the Mazda 6,” said Hagen in an interview with the British website Austin Rover Online. -Continued

“After that, there will be a C-segment compact and a B-segment supermini – and, no, that won’t be the MG3 SW, which has been a major success for us in China. Clearly, we have the capacity to build these cars in Longbridge and the Chinese are keen for this to happen,” added Hagen.

NAC MG’s managing director also took the opportunity to shed some light on the company’s ‘on and off’ plans for a return into the North American market. “We’re starting with the UK and Ireland and, once we’re up to speed, we will be pushing to sell in Europe. The USA isn’t on the short-term radar as an anticipated market for us but, with the right product, it would be good to return there,” Hagen told Austin Rover Online. The MG brand disappeared from U.S. dealerships in the early 1980s.

Via: Austin Rover Online