Review: MG TF 135; MG TF 160
Just six months after MG-Rover returned to South Africa with the MGF, the new MG TF is here.
The outgoing MGF was the best-selling sports car in the United Kingdom between 1996 and last year with 77 500 being built, and the factory hopes that the new model is enough of an improvement to keep its position at the top of the sales list.
In its homeland the MG TF comes in four model specifications — TF 115, TF 120, TF 135 and TF 160 with 1,6 and 1,8 litre engines producing between 85 and 118kW. For South Africa, where we have a bit more room to stretch our cars’ “legs”, the importers have decided to limit the range to the two 1,8 litre manual transmission models — the 100kW TF 135 and the 118kW TF 160. Apart from the extra power (and torque — 177Nm at 4 700rpm versus 168Nm at 5000rpm) the TF 160 offers bigger 16″ 11 spoke alloy wheels with lower profile rubber, uprated 304mm front brakes with four-pot calipers, and sportier seats with leather bolsters.
In addition to the stylistic improvements — and we think the new MG looks a lot better than its predecessor — the TF range also uses a completely new coil spring suspension set-up, with double-wishbones up front and a multi-link rear axle instead of the earlier interconnected Hydragas system. The body has been stiffened by 20%, and the standard speed-sensitive, electric power-assisted steering has been redesigned to react slightly quicker than it used to.
To introduce the motoring press to its new sports car MG Rover SA invited a group of us to Zwartkops racetrack, and there, for the first time in my life, I enjoyed the experience of having a beautiful, skimpily-clad young maiden hold a brolly over my head as I sat waiting my turn on the circuit. My couple of laps in the TF 160 were hugely enjoyable — thanks to its mid-engined layout the handling remains neutral when the car’s pushed hard, and when I overdid things on a couple of occasions it came back on to line without any dramatics.
Engine performance was good, considering the altitude at Zwartkops, which drains power by about 18% compared to the coast where I live. The factory claims 0-100kph in 7,6 seconds for the TF 160, and 8,8 seconds for the TF 135. Top speeds (claimed) of 220kph and 205kph respectively are pretty impressive.
Based upon this brief acquaintance we’d say that the new MG is better than the old in just about every way. It looks a little less of a girls’ car, thanks to the more aggressive front and rear-end styling, and it feels better too, thanks to its improved suspension and brakes. It’s a great little, fun car — what you’d expect the new James Bond to drive.