In 1997 MG decided to try for some speed records at Bonneville and a couple of specials were produced - the EXF (or EX253) - with an elongated tail was powered by a 1.4 litre K engine and produced 329bhp ! It achieved a speed of 217.4mph !. Though it was never meant for production it did show what the smaller engine size once mooted for the F could actually achieve. A larger versions was also made - the EX255 with a 4.8 litre V8 engine producing 900bhp in a more realistic to break the 300mph limit.
No Production models
The EXF at Bonneville
Abingdon LE showing cream hood
1997 also saw a Limited Edition intended for the German market.. It featured Brooklands Green body colour and leather interior , cream hood, chrome details, walnut dashboard. The demand was such that a UK edition was produced and named the Abingdon LE .
There were 350 1.8i models and 150 VVC versions.
In 1998 the Supersports (or EX254) was produced for the race track under the label EX254 and used a supercharged 1.8litre K engine producing 200bhp. The car was designed as a more macho version of the F in direct competition with the Lotus Elise - which incidentally uses the same K series engine both 1.8i and VVC. It appeared at the 1998 Geneva motor show. A few versions were made including a road going model (pictured) with heavy side skirts and re designing of front and rear ends. The supersports put in a few show appearances and it was thought this was going to be a high powered variant but BMW (who owned MG at the time) had other ideas - namely ditching Rover !.
No Production models.
3rd Version of Supersports
Silver export 75th Anniversary Special
75th ANNIVERSARY LE
In 1999 MG Cars marked the 75th Anniversary of the MG name with another special version. The 75th Anniversary LE was produced in three colours - Silver, Black with red hood and mulberry red. Special Grenadine red interior trim including red leather seats.
2000 production models of these were made and 500 sold in the UK. The silver editions (pictured) being for export only.
As a celebration of the Millenium MG Cars produced the "SE" - standing for Special Equipment in 2000. This car came in a Wedgewood blue colour and had 16inch multispoke alloys, chromed grill and side pods, rear spoiler and a a windstop as standard.
They were limited to a run of 500 cars.
MGF SE
Extreme pictured at Silverstone 2001
The Extreme MGF - pictured here at Silverstone 2001. The engine is the XP20 unit used in the Le Mans Lola cars and fitted transversely behind the cockpit producing some 500bhp through an X-Trac competition gearbox. The whole vehicle has been modified to handle the amazing power with big spoiler, extra side skirts, vented radiator through bonnet AP racing brakes, wider tracking, race seats etc etc. This is a pure power machine and designed as a demonstration vehicle only....at the moment.
No production models...yet !
2001 also saw the introduction of a tweaked production MGF - the Trophy 160 in recognition of the MGF Trophy race series.. A couple of engine modifications to the VVC added an extra 15bhp along with better brakes, stiffer hydrogas suspension and front and rear spoilers as standard. Also featured two startling new colours Trophy blue and Trophy blue which they also decided to colour code on to the steering wheel, centre console and side door trims. The spare wheel was dismissed and replaced by a tyre re inflation device. 16" alloys, single CD unit, special Trophy 160 sports seats, bright grilles, sports exhaust all as standard topped off with the words Trophy 160 discreetly stuck on the back. It produced 160 bhp , 0-60 in 6.9secs and top speed of 137mph.
Production run of 2000 but only 500 sold in the UK.
Trophy yellow 160
The end of 2001 sees another variation across the range but not really with too many changes - a few minor body modifications such as the usual front and rear spoilers, black leather upholstery, standard CD player, 16" multispoke alloys, bright pack but nothing particularly special and all of which you could get as extras in any case. Basically it's a Trophy 160 but without the engine upgrade. There doesn't seem to be any particular reason for this special edition other than simply a marketing exercise marking time between the Trophy 160 and the MGTF.
This was the last of the MGF specials before the change to the TF