 | The Original MGF: 1.8i and VVC (1995-1999; VIN 000251-511058). Launched in 1995 as two models- the 1.8i and VVC, which possessed power outputs of 118 bhp
and 143 bhp respectively. Standard equipment levels were good for the class of car: remote
central & dead locking; passive arming immobiliser and remote activated perimetric and
volumetric alarm (earning, in 1997, Thatcham Category 2 security status); electric windows
and heated door mirrors. The VVC added further to this standard spec to include
electrically assisted power steering (EPAS- which was to become standard on the 1.8i in
1998), ABS and half leather interior trim. |
Legend has it this car is based upon the tweaks developed by Gerry McGovern
for his own Tahiti blue car... | The Abingdon LE (spring, 1998) was
the first MGF special, limited-run edition, based upon both the 1.8i and VVC. The car's
more luxurious specification included full ('Walnut' beige) leather upholstery, beige soft
top and unique paint colour, Brooklands Green (a kind of dark, non-metallic
British Racing Green). Other cosmetic extras include an interior and exterior chrome pack-
chrome ashtray and lighter, chrome exterior door handles and stainless steel grilles. Also
standard, and first seen on this car, were the 6 spoke 'Abingdon style' 16" wheels,
fitted with Goodyear F1 (215/40 R16) tyres. The 16" wheels were soon to be found on
the options list for all MGFs and have proven an extremely popular design! |
 | The 75 LE (March, 1999) was launched
as a celebration model to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the MG car company
(1924-1999). The specification of this model mirrored in many ways the earlier Abingdon LE
with unique colours (Mulberry red and solid black) with leather and the fabric hood in a
contrasting colour (black on red cars, red on black cars). Chrome interior and exterior
highlights were as per Abingdon LE. Interestingly silver was a colour option offered in
some markets (but not the UK). The 75 LE came with Multispoke design 16" wheels, and
with either 1.8i or VVC engine options. |
 | Mk2 / MY2000 MGF (1999-2002; VIN
511059-535576). Autumn of 1999 saw
the launch of the improved 'Model Year (MY) 2000' MGF models, that are also known amongst
MG enthusiasts as the 'Mk2'. The cars incorporated a number of detail improvements aimed
at eliminating some of the earlier car's weaknesses, including re-specified EPAS, double
skinned petrol tank and detail changes to the cylinder head location and gasket design.
Cosmetic and specification changes were few- what there were was aimed at improving the
ambience of the cabin- with the only external changes being the painting of the windscreen
surround in body colour where previously it was painted black, and the change of colour of
the front indicator units from orange to smoked-clear lenses. Thus the cars received new
seats designed to improve comfort and lateral support; the door trims now included an
alloy insert (or wood as an option), the centre console was redesigned with an alloy theme
incorporated (such as the gear lever surround) and improved switch gear. The heater
controls were now silver painted. Controversially, the instrument dials lost their 'MG'
logos, and the cream faces changed for silver items with a new italic type face.
Compensation arrived in the form of an improved six-speaker stereo, with a pair of
speakers behind the occupants' heads.
VVC models retained
their improved specification over 1.8i models. Where the 1.8i received new 8-spoke
'Minilite-style' wheels, the VVC received a new 16" 6-square spoke design. The
interior is half leather, and the VVC, unlike the MPi, has ABS fitted as standard. |
 | MGF Steptronic (2000-2002). Introduced a
little after the MY2000 models, the Steptronic cars received a technically advanced
continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This autobox includes a 'F1
paddle-shift' gear selection mode, that makes the gearbox operate as a six-speed
sequential gear box. The gears can be selected either by the gear lever (push or pull) or
the selector buttons on the steering wheel (pictured opposite). Unfortunately, this
gearbox is only available with the 1.8i engine, as the gearbox has an input speed limit
that is inadequate for the engine speeds that the VVC engine is capable of.
Performance figures are broadly lower than the standard manual 1.8i (although
it is argued that this car is at least as fast in the real world), whilst trim specs are
close to VVC levels. |
 | The Wedgwood SE (July, 2000) is the
first limited edition based upon the MY2000 MGF. Following the successful formula struck
by earlier limited editions, the car comes in a unique-for-MG colour, Wedgwood blue, and
its improved standard specification includes leather seats, CD player, chrome interior and
exterior accessories and 16" Multispoke wheels. This particular SE also possesses a
rear deck spoiler- the first MGF to come so-equipped with it as standard. |
 | The Trophy 160 (May, 2001)-
so named because the re-tuning of the engine resulted in its VVC engine producing 160 PS
(158 bhp). Possibly the most exciting and most comprehensively re-worked MGF special
edition so far. The mouth watering spec includes lowered and stiffer suspension, AP racing
'MG' branded red coloured 4 pot brake callipers acting on significantly larger front brake
discs, a new aerodynamic package consisting of front splitter and rear deck spoiler and
that aforementioned engine.
Other features include bold new
colours- Trophy Yellow and Trophy Blue, a new style of 16" wheels and re-styled front
head lamps. The interior has body coloured centre console and door trim inserts, plus
coloured high-lights on the seats. Sure to be a classic. |
 | The MGF 1.6i (May, 2001) was launched
somewhat quietly at the same time as its bigger, louder brother, the Trophy 160. Designed
to compete at the other, cheaper end of the roadster market, the 1.6i competes head on
with the similarly sized Mazda MX-5 (Miata). Compared to the 1.8i, the car is de-spec'ed:
no central locking, no volumetric alarm, no radio, no power adjustable mirrors, no fancy
trim inlays for the doors. The car is meant to be cheap fun. Despite the capacity deficit,
the 1.6 K-series is a ballsy rev- happy engine. Such is its effervescent character, one
doesn't notice the performance deficit! In other words it succeeds in its aim- it's fun! |
 | The MGF Freestyle (Autumn, 2001) was
the last swan-song of the 'original' MGF before its radically face lifted replacement
arrived in February 2002. Equipped with the cosmetic up grades already found on the MGF
Trophy 160, the Freestyle thus came fitted with a Trophy-style front bib splitter and rear
deck spoiler. The car also rides on 16" wheels, although this time using the familiar
'Multispoke' wheels featured on previous special edition MGFs. The Freestyle does without
tuning upgrades found on the Trophy 160 or that car's superlative breaks, and as such is
essentially based upon the standard model 1.8i and VVC. |
