Bad news about a future MGF....

read in Autocar today that production of the current TF will end next year, with a new "FRONT WHEEL DRIVE" model to be introduced in 2014... what are they thinking!!!!!!:shake:

"MG Motor has started work on an all-new front-engined, rear-drive open-top sports car to replace the TF.

Development is at a very early stage and has lower priority than the company’s plans to introduce both the new MG6 and a new supermini to Longbridge. But the firm believes that a new sports car is essential to the long-term credibility of MG as a sporting brand. Though far from concrete, the plan is to introduce the model during 2014.

MG’s 200-strong, Longbridge-based engineering team has already investigated the feasibility of various driveline layouts for the new model, which would also be built at the UK site. Well placed insiders say that a front-engined, rear-drive layout is favoured, to provide the basis for an affordable sports car that would be a direct rival to the Mazda MX-5.

Driver entertainment is a priority, as is the sporting purity of the concept, which is why a front-engined, rear-drive layout is the most likely option.

A mid-engined drivetrain, as used on today’s TF, has been rejected because of the styling and packaging limitations it forces on the car, while customer perceptions about the limited abilities of front-wheel drive mean it has been discounted.

MG does not expect the 15-year-old TF to live much beyond the end of this year, although production of the model is expected to restart in April, following last autumn’s shutdown. That will leave the company without a sports car for at least three years while this new model is developed.

A major challenge will be finding the funds to pay for an all-new rear-drive platform, although SAIC has not ruled out trying to find a partner with which to share a platform. But ultimately, the birth of this new model will be heavily dependent on the success of MG’s attempts to re-establish itself in the UK and Europe with the MG6 and its smaller supermini sister."

thatone1967;10577 wrote: read in Autocar today that production of the current TF will end next year, with a new "FRONT WHEEL DRIVE" model to be introduced in 2014... what are they thinking!!!!!!:shake:

What are you thinking!? Reading Autocar :shake: :dc:

gotenks1321;10578 wrote: What are you thinking!? Reading Autocar :shake: :dc:

It was that or Nuts! and the train was packed.....:whistle:

Front engined; REAR wheel drive.:yesnod:

I will translate

thatone1967;10577 wrote: Driver entertainment is a priority, as is the sporting purity of the concept, which is why a front-engined, rear-drive layout is the most likely option.

Front engined is cheaper to build?

Isn't mid engined more of a "purist" sporting concept?

thatone1967;10577 wrote: A mid-engined drivetrain, as used on today’s TF, has been rejected because of the styling and packaging limitations it forces on the car, while customer perceptions about the limited abilities of front-wheel drive mean it has been discounted.

Front engined is cheaper to build?

thatone1967;10577 wrote: A major challenge will be finding the funds to pay for an all-new rear-drive platform, although SAIC has not ruled out trying to find a partner with which to share a platform. But ultimately, the birth of this new model will be heavily dependent on the success of MG’s attempts to re-establish itself in the UK and Europe with the MG6 and its smaller supermini sister."

We are looking at developing a boring euroconcept car that looks and behaves like all others. We will try to build it cheap as possible and share the costs with another manufacturer, so don't be surprised if you pull up at the lights in your MG next to a Proton that looks exactly the same.

I fear no matter what they produce, the MG name and fun factor will hit rock bottom and MG will truly be a name to be laughed at.

In the future I can see people saying "I'd rather have a Skoda than an MG" :shake:

CJJ;10589 wrote: We are looking at developing a boring euroconcept car that looks and behaves like all others. We will try to build it cheap as possible and share the costs with another manufacturer, so don't be surprised if you pull up at the lights in your MG next to a Proton that looks exactly the same.

Although I hope they don't do I Eurobox I would not be sad for them to team up with Proton. The owner of Proton is the guy who rescued Lotus because he was a fan... and saw the beauty and engineering prowess of the marque. Indeed he got Lotus to work on the new Satria Neo which is a very good car indeed.

He also gave pretty much free-reign to the Lotus guys to bring the Exige to life....

It was just a name off the top my head. How about Tata then?

No matter who it was it would still damage the marque.

CJJ;10599 wrote: It was just a name off the top my head. How about Tata then?

No matter who it was it would still damage the marque.

Wouldn't be the first time they teamed up with Tata


Although don't Tata own Jaguar now? Sharing expertise with Jaguar would do them no harm whatsoever surely?

What a shame that the general feeling of the public is that MG have reliability issues when compared to the MX5. Japanese cars are seen to be very good all round generally. All the comments I have received since having the MGF backs this up and I find myself on the defensive when talking about MG's. A common reaction is "yes, they look so much better than the MX5 but they break down don't they"
This is also a feeling I subscribe to also but as this car is used as a second car/weekend runabout I am prepared to take that risk! Time will tell if I am right or not.
The quality of the new cars need to be of a high standard to compete in today's market. If it takes a few years to see another sports car made so be it. The crucial thing is to get the product right and to get the general public to buy it and be happy with it whatever format it comes in.
If the new generations of MG's are not greeted with enthusiasm the brand is doomed but at least there will still be a strong following for the "traditional MG"

I disagree with you AyB, and I know I will get slated for this.

The MGF/TF as a whole is not an unreliable car, but the last thing that I would want is a 100% reliable, take to the dealer once a year for a service, never have to work on it, car. I may as well hire one.

I got rid of a perfectly good car to get the TF, but while it was good, it was also boring.

It was never in bits on my driveway, it never leaked, it had cruise control, it was comfortable and returned good mpg, but that was the problem.

I never found any excuse to go out and do some work on it. I never felt involved with it.

So, to be honest, if MG brought out a comfortable, front engined, rear wheel drive soft top that was reliable, then I probably wouldn't be interested.

Its good news or at least a good rumour that there may be a TF replacement in 4 years. When we're at longbright last year we did get the news that the this would be the last year for the TF. At the time we we're told there weere no real plans for any kind of two seater sports car as that wasn't the market MG we're looking toward. Be nice to know at least that there was hope for the future.

It is a shame the relaunced TF hasn't acheived more. I think this is as much due to poor timing and marketing as anything - People still don't know you can buy the things :shake:.

Now this I like...