NAC MG TF Pricing Announced – More Expensive Than an MX-5!

Chinese carmaker NAC MG has announced UK pricing for its British built TF LE500. The mid-engined, rwd roadster that's due to arrive in dealerships across Britain this September has been priced at 16,399 GBP (that's $32,700 or EUR 20,600 with the current exchange rates). For that money you get a 136Hp 1.8-liter engine and several standard amenities like air-condition, ABS, leather seats, windstop, 16-inch alloy wheels, a body colored hardtop, parking sensors and a Pioneer MP3 compatible CD / radio.

But we ask; more than 16,000 pounds for a car that's practically a facelifted version of the original MG TF that was introduced in 1995? That's a lot for a car that was already outdated compared to its rivals when it went out of production in 2005, let alone in 2008. For example, prices for the Mazda MX-5 1.8 start from 15,750 pounds while you can get a nicely equipped MX-5 1.8 Icon for 16,825 pounds. We drove the last TF130 back in 2005, and while the MG had its fun side, even then, it showed its age in more ways than one.

MG TF LE500 Production Commencing at Longbridge Plant in August 2008

Chinese carmaker NAC MG who owns the rights to the MG name has announced that production of the TF LE500 mid-engined roadster will commence at MG Rover’s Longbridge plant in Birmingham at the beginning of August, with the first cars delivered to showrooms in September.

The revived MG TF LE500 is virtually a mildly facelifted version of the original MG TF that was introduced in 1995 when the British marque was still under the control of BMW -talk about retro... The roadster received two facelifts in 1999 and 2002 before it went out of production in 2005. -Continued

Chairman for NAC MG UK Ltd, Mr He, Xiao Qing, said; “I am delighted to be in a position to talk about a launch date for the TF LE500 following a process of planning, re-organisation, active quality improvements and parts optimization that we recognize resulted in frustration for our stakeholders. We are now fully focused on bringing our hard work to fruition.”

NAC MG added that the company is planning to extend the MG range into additional sectors in the near future.

2009 Roewe 550: MG Rover’s Successor Unveils New Sedan

A while ago we showed the first images of Roewe’s new compact sedan called 550. Today, the Chinese automaker, which acquired the rights to build MG-Rover cars from the Brits in 2005, released a whole bunch of pictures of the 550. Despite the fact that 550’s exterior design has been inspired from a variety of cars including the VW Passat and the Lexus IS, we must admit that its styling is more than decent.

Same goes for the sedan’s interior even though from what we know, Roewe did not acquire the rights from BMW to imitate its dashboard design… Still, we think you’ll agree with us when we say that the 550’s cabin looks a whole much better than many Japanese, Korean and American cars. The 550 will be available in China later on this year equipped with a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine while exports are expected to begin towards the end of 2008. –Click through for more images

Chinese Cops Get MG7 Police Vehicles

Have you ever wondered what kind of vehicles do Chinese cops drive? Whilst many might rush to answer Ford Crown Victoria clones based on the Zinghai Ziouzitsou platform, Chinese cops at the Jiangsu Province recently received a new batch of Nanjing MG 7s. And if you’re wondering why, the reason is that the MG-ZT based MG 7 is built in the specific Chinese province. -More pics after the jump

Via: Chinacartimes , Pics via: xcar

Chinese Cops Get MG7 Police Vehicles

Have you ever wondered what kind of vehicles do Chinese cops drive? Whilst many might rush to answer Ford Crown Victoria clones based on the Zinghai Ziouzitsou platform, Chinese cops at the Jiangsu Province recently received a new batch of Nanjing MG 7s. And if you’re wondering why, the reason is that the MG-ZT based MG 7 is built in the specific Chinese province. -More pics after the jump

Via: Chinacartimes , Pics via: xcar

Three Zero-Mileage 2004 MG-Rovers Auctioned in the UK

Even though the MG Rover Group ceased production in 2005, one can still find cars of the British brand with zero mileage. On Friday, 21 December, three 2004 MY MG Rovers that hade been kept in storage and never previously made available for sale, where auctioned by BCA on behalf of car retail group Inchcape.

All three cars were scarce or unusual examples, with the Rover 75 V8 (powered by a Mustang 4.6 litre V8 engine) being the most unique. The model on offer was finished in dark metallic blue with leather interior and sold for £16,000 (approx $31,600 or €21,500). -Continued

Second up was the Rover 75 Limousine, one of a limited number produced on the long-wheel base version of the 75 chassis. It was finished in light metallic grey with dark grey leather interior and it sold for £13,400 (approx $26,400 or €17,960)

Finally, there was the MG TF 160 roadster which was finished in metallic blue with black hood and leather interior. It sold for £11,000 (approx $21,700 or €14,700).

Three Zero-Mileage 2004 MG-Rovers Auctioned in the UK

Even though the MG Rover Group ceased production in 2005, one can still find cars of the British brand with zero mileage. On Friday, 21 December, three 2004 MY MG Rovers that hade been kept in storage and never previously made available for sale, where auctioned by BCA on behalf of car retail group Inchcape.

All three cars were scarce or unusual examples, with the Rover 75 V8 (powered by a Mustang 4.6 litre V8 engine) being the most unique. The model on offer was finished in dark metallic blue with leather interior and sold for £16,000 (approx $31,600 or €21,500). -Continued

Second up was the Rover 75 Limousine, one of a limited number produced on the long-wheel base version of the 75 chassis. It was finished in light metallic grey with dark grey leather interior and it sold for £13,400 (approx $26,400 or €17,960)

Finally, there was the MG TF 160 roadster which was finished in metallic blue with black hood and leather interior. It sold for £11,000 (approx $21,700 or €14,700).