MG
SV - The History
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The
entry level MG XPower SV is
powered by a 4.6-litre, 320
hp quad cam all-aluminium
V8. Higher powered versions
will follow, starting with
the SV-R early next year and
followed by even more
extreme iterations which
will include the 765hp
Bonneville ZT-T unit.
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
MG XPower SV sprints from
rest to 60mph in 5.3 secs
and on to a top speed of
around 165mph. 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.
The SV is an all-new design
from the team led by Peter
Stevens, whose portfolio
includes many renowned
sports cars, until now
pinnacled by the McLaren F1.
The steel chassis and double
wishbone suspension are
fabricated by Vaccari and
Bosi in Modena in
collaboration with MG Sport
and Racing’s chassis
development team.
In a bold departure from
normal practice, a composite
carbon fibre body using a
groundbreaking process new
to the motor industry, is
used instead of more
traditional steel or
aluminium. With techniques
developed by the UK based SP
Group the body panels have
the same stiffness as steel
but at only 25 percent of
the weight, a key
requirement for a
performance sports car. The
entry-level car, the
4.6-litre engine is mated to
a 5-speed Tremec manual
transmission with drive to
the rear wheels via a BTR
limited slip differential.
An automatic gearbox will be
available early next year on
the MG XPower SV-R.
With leather and Alcantara
clad competition seats each
customer has a choice of six
interior trim colours
matched to a wide range of
exteriors colours. However a
bespoke interior or exterior
can be selected via the
customisation programme.
With new exterior styling
the SV is more aggressive
than the original MG X80
prototype with a front
splitter, rear diffuser,
side vents and a rear wing
being available for all
cars. This offers the driver
the optimum balance of
driveability and
aerodynamics.
Extensive
aerodynamic testing has been
carried out in wind tunnels,
on the high speed Nardo test
track in Southern Italy and
the Nurburgring Grand Prix
circuit in Germany .
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.
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
seat belts which allow the
driver the full mobility of
a seat belt 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 for the MG
XPower SV are O.Z. split rim
8J x R18 wheels shod with
225/40 ZR 18 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.
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The
MG XPower SV has been
designed to be both light
and very strong – true to
the ethos of a real sports
car. In a bold departure
from the traditional
materials of steel or
aluminium panels, the body
of the SV is created from
composite carbon fibre,
using a ground-breaking
process new to the motor
industry. The body panels
have the same stiffness as
steel but at only 25 per
cent of the weight, make a
massive contribution to the
key requirements for a
performance sports car.
Peter
Stevens is world renowned in
car design circles and was
most notably stylist and
aerodynamics specialist for
the 240mph McLaren F1, the
world’s fastest production
car by some considerable
margin for many years. He
has also worked on other
supercars such as the Jaguar
XJR 15 and was the Head of
Design for a time at
Lamborghini. Other credits
include designing the highly
acclaimed front-wheel-drive
Lotus Elan of the early
1990s and winning the 2002
Autocar Designer of the Year
award.
The SV 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 steel chassis, coil
springs, front and rear
double wishbone suspension
have been developed by
Vaccari and Bosi in Modena
in collaboration with the
MG’s own experienced chassis
development team.
In
a bold departure from normal
practice, a composite carbon
fibre body using a
ground-breaking process new
to the motor industry, is
used instead of more
traditional steel or
aluminium. With techniques
developed by the UK based SP
Group the body panels have
the same stiffness as steel
but at only 25 per cent of
the weight, a key
requirement for a
performance sports car.
The SV's component parts are
built wherever the best
skills and talents lie. The
chassis, for example, is
constructed in the very
epicentre of supercar
construction, Modena.
Once
an SV is completed each car
undergoes a full road test
around Warwickshire in order
to check all the SV's
systems in the real world.
Then it's the time for one
lucky owner to take
delivery...
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MG
SV - Exterior
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The
exterior of any sports car
is what gets noticed first.
Aesthetics are one thing,
but the SV looks the way it
does for a reason. The SV
needs to cut through the air
and remain stable and sure
footed from 20 mph to 200
mph and beyond.
"It's almost like Peter can
see the air." Chief
Engineer, Giordano Casarini
Fortunately
the SV's shape was decided
by the very best in the
business; Peter Stevens.
Peter has worked for names
such as Lotus, Lamborghini,
TWR, and famously styled the
McLaren F1. The SV is his
latest design, and it's one
he's rather proud about. The
exterior bodywork of the SV
is formed in carbon fibre,
the very material that
Formula One cars are made
from. This means that the
body of the SV weighs in at
a quarter of the weight it
would have done had steel
been used. The SV has run at
over 200 mph at Nardo in
Italy and remained perfectly
stable at this speed, a
testament to the advanced
aerodynamics it possesses.
That it also looks fantastic
is just the icing on the
cake.
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MG
SV - Interior
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This
is the
place that everyone will
want to be, inside the SV.
The SV's first class
performance is complemented
by its distinctive interior.
In keeping with its 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.
The trim is to your choice
of six leather finishes.
Competition seats and
fascias can be specified in
a combination of leather and
Alcantara allowing your SV
to be just the way you want
it.
When you desire a change
from the soundtrack provided
by the V8 engine, a superb
hi-fi system with the very
best Infinity speakers is
there for your pleasure.
The SV is a car to be
enjoyed, and the best place
to be is inside.
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