Latest News from MG-Rover.org

Did you know that MG Motors are on Facebook? They are and they're after friends! If you're on Facebook visit thier page at http://www.facebook.com/MGmotor and click 'like' on their page. With only 200 more they'll surpass Ford Europe!

As a special promotion until the end of the year, you will get 20% off any Trader subscription taken out between now and the 31st of December 2010. This is only for payments made in December and only valid for new trader supporters. We've also added a new Trader Lite subscription level which doesn't allow on-forum advertising, but does enable you to add your entry into the directory.

 

The Trader subscription works very well for traders who have the time to take part in the forums and raise their profile on the site due to being part of the community. Trader+ subscriptions work well for traders who do not have the time to do this and the banner advert raises their profile instead. However, there was nothing below Trader, for those who want to benefit from inclusion in our trader directory but don't have the time to post on the forums and promote themselves that way. So the new Trader Lite has been introduced to cover this option.
Remember that if you take out a subscription before the end of the year we'll refund 20% of the payment (if paying by PayPal). If you would like to pay by BACS / Cheque, we'll knock the discount off first, please contact us.

Btw, this applies to any trader product, so if you want to sponsor a forum as well, then you get the discount off that too.

December 2010 Prices (Save 20%)
Trader Lite - £ 32 per year, Save £ 8
Trader Monthly - £16 for December, £20 there after, Save £ 4
Trader Annual - £144, Save £ 36
Trader+ Monthly - £40 for December, £50 there after, Save £ 10
Trader+ 6 Month - £220, Save £ 55
Trader+ Annual - £440, Save £ 110
Forum Sponsorship - £ 200, Save £ 50

2011 Prices 
Trader Lite - £ 40 per year
Trader Monthly - £20 per month
Trader Annual - £180
Trader+ Monthly - £50
Trader+ 6 Month - £275
Trader+ Annual - £550
Forum Sponsorship - £ 250

Taking out the subscription is easy, but you do need an account on the forums. Once you've done that, follow the instructions in this thread and drop me a line if you need any further assistance.

 

This evening at the MPH show at the NEC, MG unveiled the UK production spec MG6 for the first time in MG's home city. It was shown at MPH in London last week, but tonight was when we got to see it! Prices are currently only given as an 'indicated range' of between £16,000 to £20,000, which is reasonably competitive for its segment, up against the focus and alike. Indeed the top spec MG6 looks to be very competitive on price, given all the toys it comes with. 

 

To find out the Full specification, trim levels & photos, read on!

Engineers at MG's Birmingham site are playing an important role in developing advanced engines and gearboxes in a ground-breaking agreement between SAIC and GM. 

The skills of the Birmingham experts are helping to develop an entirely new generation of power trains that will be considerably cleaner and more efficient than conventional technology.

It is seen as a major advance between two of the world's biggest automotive companies. SAIC Motor, MG Motor UK's parent company, is the largest automotive company in China - which is now the largest car market in the world. GM is one of the largest US-based automotive giants.

Nearly 300 professional engineers work at SAIC's Technical centre at the MG Birmingham site.
The new engines and transmissions are expected to reduce fuel consumption by more than 20 per cent and lower carbon emissions by even more.

New stainless steel coolant pipes are now available for manual MGF and TF cars from all XPart AutoService centres and parts wholesalers. The pipes are being manufactured on original MG Rover tooling and have been rigorously tested to meet with XPart's quality requirements. They offer a robust alternative to the cars' standard-fit steel pipes, which are susceptible to corrosion. The new pipes will cost £65 + VAT and can be ordered under part number PEP102470SS.
 
“Our new stainless steel pipes should prevent coolant leaks caused by corroded underbody pipes, helping to remove the risk of engine overheating and keeping owners safe on the roads,” comments Barry Smith, UK Sales Manager, XPart. “Corrosion to the  underbody coolant pipes on MGF and TF cars have traditionally caused headaches for owners as excessive corrosion can result in leaks, which can lead to engine overheating, and ultimately to head gasket failure.”

For further information on XPart's parts wholesaler and AutoService centre network, or to locate your nearest XPart MG Rover specialist, please visit www.xpart.com.

MG Motor has already arranged to have a number of prospective customers, existing customers and friends of the brand join us at Goodwood for the first ‘Moving Motorshow' on Thursday 1st July.

Today we are pleased to announce that a very limited number of additional tickets have become available and we are offering them on a free of charge basis to the general public.

If you can be available a week today, click here, and complete the form stating your interest (with Reference Code 6GW) and we will send out the tickets whilst stocks last. They will be issued on a strictly first come, first served basis and will be sent in pairs to arrive not later than Tuesday June 29th 2010.

 

We take a brief look at the Electronic testing systems at MG Birmingham.

Today I managed to grab 5 minutes to talk to the guys behind the Powertrain side of SAIC's MG operation at Longbridge and learnt rather a lot of information that I didn't know! New engines, small medium (which we already know, the N Series) and large, including a 3 litre V6.

 

Not to mention 6 speed gearboxes!

After the events below, I walked up to Guy Jones. Shook him by the hand and said, "As an enthusiast, can I just say that you are what this company has needed for a long time, thank you".

 

Why did I say this?... read on...

 

Today was the opening of the Design Centre at Longbridge and yours truly went along, not really knowing what to expect. Little did I know that it was quite simply going to be the most open, accessible and fascinating visit to the Longbridge plant (now renamed MG Birmingham, but to local people like me, it'll always be Longbridge) that I've ever had. It started with an overview of the company and pretty much all of it was stuff we all know. We then went off to the ribbon cutting event. After that we then split into 2 groups, one went to the Design Centre and the other to the Technical Centre.

 

What they also had were spots around the visitor centre were you could talk to various teams of Engineers, Powertrain, Chassis, Interior and Crash Testing. This access to the engineers is quite simply unprecedented. I have never been to a press event Longbridge before when you could go and talk to the engineers behind the cars quite so openly.

 

I will post a few more articles in the next few hours as I try to assimilate the information that I've learnt over the last 6 hours or so! One of the journalists described it as information overload - but that certainly makes up for 5 years of information void! Overall though the event was widely praised by the media people who attended and has done no end of good for the brand as far as I can see in the media. Whether it comes out of the media in the same way we'll have to wait and see.

 

But one thing is for sure, Guy had to work hard to get the OK to arrange the day with the Chinese bosses, no doubt if it had all gone wrong, it would have been some serious egg on his face. However, as far as I can tell it was a huge success and bodes well for the future.

 

Chatting to the Engineers was a great experience, to get answers to questions that I've been wanting to ask for some time - some really interesting info from the Powertrain guys, which I'll get onto shortly.
But credit has to go to Guy Jones for setting the day up and Doug Wallace the new PR guy for running the day. It appears to have done MG's relationship with the Media no end of good and if this is a sign of things to come, the future really is looking good for the MG brand & MG Birmingham.

 

(Picture Credit: AROnline)

Following hugely successful events in Cardiff, Dudley, Southampton, Chelmsford, Newcastle and Leicester, Kent and Bristol (see the roadshow image gallery here) the TF will be available for viewing at Churchill Square from Saturday 1st through to Sunday 2nd of May. The MG staff, supplied this time by MG Dealer Sterling Automotive, will be available to answer any questions about the cars, arrange test drives and even show an early image of the new MG6.

With the new 10 Registration now available, come down and see us at Churchill and make sure that you don't miss out on your chance to check out the new TF while you leave your family to get on with the shopping! From only £13,799 OTR and the winter fading into memory, this really is the time to make your TF dream a reality.