MG SV returns, TF founders

By Keith Adams (additional reporting by Russell Gowers)

Motor Industry

15 April 2008 10:14

In the latest twist of the MG Rover saga, and three years after the original MG XPower SV supercar went out of production, the controversial coupe has made a surprise re-appearance. However, the likelihood of us ever seeing the reborn TF roadster seems to be receding by the week.

Now known as the XPower WR, the Qvale Mangusta-based supercar has been eased back into production by William Riley – a descendant of the creators of the historic car company bearing the same name.

His company, known as MG Sports and Racing Europe Limited, produces the supercharged WR, selling it for between £75,000 and £90,000 depending in specification. The rights to the car – and its badge – were bought from MG Rover administrators PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2005. Riley claims that the seven examples of the new car have been sold.

MG SV: back from the dead

The founder of MG Sports and Racing Europe limited told CAR Online that he plans to expand his operation ambitiously to produce between 1500-1800 cars per year, and denies claims that his company is merely assembling partially completed SVs, that were originally readied for production in 2005.

Riley claims that his WR is rather special. ‘This is the CS version, 150kg lighter than the standard car,’ he said. A lowered compression ratio and increased supercharger boost results in nearly 600bhp. Riley intends to enter the CS in the Shelsley Walsh hill climb in May 2008.

However, according to one Longbridge insider, talk of series production is premature. The WR hasn't yet been type approved; the new owners cannot use the old documentation from the MG Rover era – and obtaining new approval is an expensive and time-consuming process.

Click 'Next' to find out why the TF project appears to be doomed

By Keith Adams (additional reporting Russell Gowers)