M O D E L S :   MG XPower SV (part II)

P r e s s   R e l e a s e   - October 29, 2003

MG XPOWER SV HIGH PERFORMANCE SPORTS CAR ON SALE FROM NOVEMBER 1, 2003
                        " T h e   R a c e   C a r   B u i l t   f o r   t h e   R o a d "

MG Sport & Racing has today announced the sales launch of the MG XPower SV, a car which catapults the Company into competition with the best of the world’s performance vehicle manufacturers.

The entry level model is powered by a 320 hp 4.6 litre all aluminium quad cam V8 engine which propels the MG XPower SV to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and on to a top speed of circa 165 mph. Automatic and higher powered SV-R versions will be available next year. Customers can also specify the engine from the 225 mph MG ZT-T Bonneville rated at 765 hp (and beyond if required) which will give top speeds of well over 200 mph and suitably electrifying acceleration.

The first class performance of the SV is complemented by its distinctive interior. In keeping with the vehicle’s sporting heritage both front seats are specified with full inertia four belt harnesses, which are lockable for serious driving by the flick of a switch. Each cabin is trimmed with the customer’s choice of six leather finishes. Competition seats and fascias are available in a combination of leather and Alcantara allowing each vehicle to be uniquely personalised.

Designed by a team led by Peter Stevens, whose previous designs have included the McLaren F1, the MG XPower SV benefits from state of the art technology. Central to the car's DNA is a finely tuned chassis designed along race car principles bonded to a lightweight carbon fibre body with an integral rollover cage.
Rollover protection on every car is provided by a fully integrated tubular structure and every SV is fitted with unique dual function three point inertia reel racing seatbelts which allow the driver the full mobility of a seatbelt combined with the extra security of a full race harness. The system can be locked at the flick of a switch for more serious driving.

Standard fitment in every car is the latest Tracker system from Omitec which not only enables the car to be located and immobilised, in case of theft for example, but also links the vehicle to a central diagnostic control centre at Longbridge.

Standard fitment for the MG XPower SV are O.Z. split rim 8J x R18 wheels shod with 225/40 ZR18 tyres at the front and 10J x R18 with 265/40 ZR18 tyres at the rear. The MG XPower SV-R will sport a new MG designed wheel manufactured by O.Z. The overall effect is a low and aggressive coupe, capable of extremely high performance.

The SV range features an immensely strong box frame chassis allied to a uniquely constructed carbon fibre body shell which is instrumental in keeping the kerb weight to a competitive 1540kg and the centre of gravity as low as possible. The chassis and carbon body are both constructed in the heartland of the Italian supercar industry. Final vehicle assembly takes place at MG Sport & Racing’s newly established HQ at Longbridge, Birmingham by a dedicated team of skilled craftsmen.

Director of MG Sport & Racing Kim Johnson said: "The MG XPower SV, which combines high reserves of power and motor racing safety features, is a true race car which has been built for the road. It can either lead on the track or cruise along the King’s Road. It is the ultimate MG."

Former F1 driver Mark Blundell said: "The MG XPower SV is aggressive and raw, and at the same time stylish and refined. I have driven many of the world’s top sports cars and this car is in the same league. From the unique sound of the exhaust to the precision steering the MG XPower SV has all the qualities I look for in a sports car."

The MG XPower SV line up starts from £75,000 and will be available through a network of specialist XPower dealerships, or directly from the MG Sport & Racing factory.

The range is aimed at individuals who share a passion for high performance sports cars and like to test a car’s abilities to the full. The MG XPower SV is an exhilarating, but above all responsive and well-mannered car that is equally at home driving to the race rack as it is performing on it.

Further information about the MG XPower SV sports car, including sales enquiries, is available from:
MG Sport and Racing
Tel: 08457 661155

Initial Entry Level - MG XPower SV Specification
Technical
Engine	4.6-litre V8
Material	All aluminium alloy
Valves	Double overhead cam, 4 valves per cylinder
Compression ratio	10.0:1
Power	320hp SAE @ 6000rpm (230kW @ 6000rpm)
Torque	410Nm @ 4750rpm (302 lb.ft @ 4750rpm)
Transmission	5-speed manual Tremec gearbox
	Electronic traction control
	1^st:	3.38:1
	2^nd:	2.00:1
	3^rd:	1.32:1
	4^th:	1.00:1
	5^th:	0.73:1
	Reverse:	3.38:1
	Final drive:	3.46:1
	mph (km/h) per 1000rpm in 5^th:	30.1 (48.5)
Performance (estimated)	0-60mph (0-100km/h) in 5.3 seconds (5.4 secs)
	Top speed 165mph (254km/h)
Suspension	Independent coil springs
Front	Double wishbones and 25mm anti-roll bar
Rear	Double wishbones and 25mm anti-roll bar
Steering	Power-assisted rack & pinion
Turns lock-to-lock	3.0
Overall ratio	17.2:1
Turning circle	10.6m between kerbs
Wheels	Alloy OZ 2-piece, 5-spoke
Front	8J x 18 x 40
Rear	10J x 18 x 41

Tyres	Michelin Pilot Sport
Front	225/40 ZR18
Rear	265/40 ZR18
Spare	Instant mobility system
Brakes	Brembo^® discs and 4 pot callipers
	Bosch 5.7 electronic ABS
	324mm diameter ventilated and cross-drilled front discs
	310mm diameter ventilated and cross-drilled rear discs
Body	2 door, 2 seater coupe with unique carbon fibre construction
Chassis	Steel box frame with integrated roll cage
Dimensions	Length	4480mm
	Width	1900mm excluding mirrors 2076mm including mirrors
	Wheelbase	2670mm
	Front track	1678mm
	Rear track	1626mm
	Height	1320mm
	Cd	0.38
	CdA	0.68
Unladen weight	1540kg (estimated)

SV Standard Features (Option List Separately Available)
Exterior	Front aerodynamic splitter
	Rear air diffuser
	Black finish side air vents
	Green tinted glass
	Electrically heated and adjustable power-fold door mirrors
Interior	Sparco reclining leather and Alcantara seats
	Polished alloy centre console
	Carbon finish header, rails and door posts
	Leather steering wheel with height adjustment
	Leather & alloy finish gearknob
	Driver’s clutch footrest
	Leather upper door waist rails
	Centre console storage bin with armrest
	Two cupholders
	Leather & bright stainless steel sill trims
	Leather handbrake, gearshift gaiter and console lid
	Colour-keyed cut pile carpet
	Colour-keyed carpeted rear luggage shelf and boot
Audio	Single CD player and tuner
	Four Infinity^Ò speakers plus front tweeters
	Roof-mounted aerial
Electrical	Projector headlights
	Front and rear foglights
	Lights-on and driver’s door-open warning buzzers
	Courtesy delay lights in roof and rear compartment sides
	Door open/puddle lamps
	Electric front windows with driver’s one-touch-down control
	Heated rear window with timed switch-off
Instrumentation	Speedometer & tachometer
	Fuel and coolant gauges
	Analogue clock
Safety & security	Dual-action (inertia and fixed) 4-belt, 3-point safety harnesses
	Remote control central door locking
	Perimetric alarm system. Tracker with remote telemetry
	Electric internal fuel filler release
	Lockable wheel nuts
Climate control	Automatic temperature control
	Rotary controls for temperature, distribution and fan over-rides
	Recirculation control

goto Part I (the introduction)