Autoexpress has photos and articles on the New MG Midget!

[JBsC5]

Title says it all..

New MG Midget coming to production..

The site is down this morning so I'll try again later..

 

[Steve]

Looks good, thanks for the heads-up. They would sell in the USA if they can get through crash-testing okay. That would be more of an issue than emissions, IMO.

 

[aeronca65t]

Here's the new Spridget...

[ 01-16-2003: Message edited by: aeronca65t ]</p>

 

[aerog]

The autoexpress links are pretty slow, here's a repeat of the pictures (anyone have a really nice red late-70s Midget for sale??):

 

[78Z]

here's the text of the article

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>MG's Midget Makes Its Comeback


he string-back gloves are off... MG Rover is aiming to knock its rivals for six with a sensational reinvention of the Midget. Inspired by one of the most successful cars the firm has ever built, the drop-top is aimed at the likes of the Ford Streetka and Smart Roadster - both of which were revealed to international acclaim last year.

Other rivals include the forthcoming Volkswagen Polo Spyder and SEAT Tango, but, to guarantee success, it's thought the newcomer could cost as little as £10,000 when it goes on sale in 2005. Measuring around 3.5 metres long and 1.6 metres wide, the all-new Midget is a pure two-seater. Stowage space will be at a premium, and to keep costs as low as possible, the car will only sport a basic roof.

Initially, entry-level models are likely to be powered by a 1.6-litre engine producing around 100bhp. This edition of the no-frills roadster will put driver thrills ahead of outright performance - just like the 1961 original.

Tuned versions to rival more powerful opposition, including the likes of the Toyota MR2 and Mazda MX-5, could also be produced, although MG Rover would probably be keen to avoid competing with its own, bigger MG TF - Britain's best-selling roadster.

Another possibility is a 1.4-litre car, which would slash the Midget's price even further. Offering less than 90bhp, this machine would combine light weight with a high-revving engine to offer a first-rate driving experience.

Despite its British pedigree, the new Midget will be a truly international affair. Based on the TATA Aria concept car, which made its debut at the 2000 Geneva Motor Show, and designed by the IDEA Institute in Italy, the project is currently being pushed forward by TATA

Engineering, the automotive arm of the Indian conglomerate, TATA.

MG Rover's involvement is likely to be restricted to development work on honing the chassis and ensuring that the engine range will meet strict emissions standards. TATA, meanwhile, will take care of production, building the car in India and selling it across the world. The success of the proposed link between TATA and MG Rover will be put to the test later this year when the Longbridge company begins to import a new supermini made in India.

Developed by the firm from TATA's Indica, the car is expected to cost around £7,000 and will be powered by an MG Rover-sourced engine. It's thought the work the company does on this model might be used to help build the Midget, which may feature an updated Indica platform when it goes on sale.

The real attraction of the deal for TATA is not MG Rover's engineering skill, or brand value, but its European sales and servicing network. The firm has around 250 outlets which TATA is thought to be interested in.
<hr></blockquote>

 

[78Z]

is anyone else worried about the quality with TATA building it? From what I have heard they make Kia look good.

 

[aerog]

Doesn't, for some reason, appeal to me at all. Neither the car itself or the point of origin.

...besides, seems to me they've just made an updated and fattened up Capri:

 

[rtfulk]

How about the MG XPower SV. I would like to have one of these.

[ 01-21-2003: Message edited by: rtfulk ]</p>

 

[RHWins]

Is that the car, or the box it comes in? :<

 

[kmcormick9]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by 78Z:
is anyone else worried about the quality with TATA building it? From what I have heard they make Kia look good.<hr></blockquote>

it cant be any worse than the british leyland offerings of the midget. TATA makes BL look like honda.

 

[MattP]

I like it, but it doesn't do me any good

Wrong side of the pond.


MattP