The MG XPower SV is a front-engine, rear-wheel drive, 2-door sports car produced by MG Rover in 2002 after the company had acquired the small Italian automaker, Qvale. Manufactured in Modena, Italy and finished at Longbridge, UK, it was based on the platform of the Qvale Mangusta. Every SV is individually built to personal customer order. Each cabin is trimmed with the customer's choice of six leather finishes. Competition seats and fascias are available in a combination of leather and Alcantara allowing each vehicle to be uniquely personalised.
The exterior bodywork of the SV is formed in carbon fibre, the very material that Formula One cars are made from. According the data at the MG XPower SV Club, approximately 82 cars were produced excluding the 4 'XP' pre-production prototypes. 23 of those were SV-Rs. The base MG XPower SV was powered by a 320 bhp 4.6 L Ford Modular V8.
In 2004, MG Sport & Racing, the motorsport arm of MG Rover, announced the XPower SV-R, a higher-powered version of the XPower SV. It featured a more highly tuned 5.0 L 32-valve V8 with 385 bhp and is believed to have a top speed of around 175 mph (281.5 km/h) and a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time of 4.9 seconds. The SV-R is fitted wîth larger diameter Brembo brake discs. New alloy wheels, a rear wing and unique detailing set this car apart. (wikipedia, mgsv-club.com, dreamcars.ch & conceptcarz.com)
MG XPower SV-R Prototype
(Photos from autogespot.be, dreamcars.ch, flickr.com, autowp.ru & conceptcarz.net)
