MGF Supersports At Geneva

MG Cars is unveiling the latest version of the MGF ‘Super Sports’ at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show. This new Super Sports is a prototype, high performance road-going derivative of the MGF. The car was created in response to the overwhelming reception given to the MG Super Sports concept car shown at Geneva in 1998.

The theme of Super Sports is a ‘racing car for the road’. The car has been developed by the MG Motorsport team using experience gained on the ‘MGF Cup’ racing series and rally driver Tony Pond has honed the vehicle’s dynamics at Rover Group’s Gaydon test track.

The MGF Super Sports employs a more muscular look than the standard production car, with larger wheels on wider tracks under prominent, flared wheelarches. The racing theme is further emphasised with new bumpers fitted with functional mesh air intakes and a new integral lighting arrangement.

The interior of the car is upgraded with Recaro sports seats, steering wheel, gearshift and handbrake gaiters trimmed in grenadine leather. The car is further differentiated from the standard model with drilled alloy pedals, alloy driver’s heel mat and brushed aluminium trim.

Powered by an exclusive supercharged version of the 1.8 K series engine, the MGF Super Sports produces 200Ps, with a broad torque spread for optimised acceleration. The car comes with a close ratio gearbox incorporating specially treated gears.

The suspension is an uprated derivative of the system used on MGF Trophy competition cars and the ride height is lowered by 30mm. To complete the package, the ‘Hydrogas’ units are fitted with special valving. Brakes on the car are race bred, with AP racing calipers coupled to 295mm diameter discs. The special wheels are 17" three piece aluminium alloy, seam welded KN with 225x45 Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres.

The MGF Super Sports is currently a prototype and has been produced to appraise a high performance derivative of the MGF. The potential for a production version of this car will be evaluated following public reaction