MG TF roadster set for revival
May 8, 2008 by George Skentzos
Britain’s most iconic roadster is slated for a revival with the MG TF set to make a comeback in the hands of its new Chinese owners.
Despite its newly found Chinese roots, production for the new TF will commence at MG Rover’s old home of Longbridge in the West Midlands – hitting showrooms by 2010, AutoExpress reports.
The new TF will be based around a rear-wheel drive version of the Chinese Roewe 550 compact hatch platform developed in conjunction with British engineering expert Ricardo.
It will be priced to compete against Japanese convertibles like the Mazda MX-5 but will be styled closer to its European rivals such as the Alfa Romeo Spider, Audi TT Roadster and Volkswagen Eos.
Expect two MG Rover-based engine variants including a 1.8-litre turbo and 2.5-litre V6.
Shanghai Automobile Corporation (SAIC) had always intended to build a successor to the TF however this hasn’t been possible until recently when the company merged with rival Nanjing Automobile Corporation (NAC) who owned the rights to the MG badge.
Print it: 
But that’s not the TF Roadster in the picture, it’s a coupe version that was shown about 5 years ago but never saw the light of day.
They’ve been talking about this Longbridge-built revival under Chinese ownership since I was in short pants. If it ever happens there won’t be anyone left with any memory of the MG brand.
Hard to see the point really, as the TF, and its predecessor the MGF, were such disappointing cars.
Well i’m happy. I have a real soft spot for MG and Rover and I don’t know why because they were dissapointing. As long as its more fun and still has at least a 4 star NCAP rating – ill be happy and will probably buy one. I wouldn’t buy one if it came from China but I would from Longbridge.
I’ve alway admired the TF – quite a ground breaking car for Rover really. If it look like this at will always carry the tarred image of when Rover built it, sadly it won’t succeed on a big scale.
It will last here in the UK No Name. People didn’t car about the reliability or the quality here as it was the best selling roadster every year it was on sale in the UK.
Chinese are interested in buying NSW POWER STATIONS after the sell off.
Looks like Rudd had the right idea learning Mandarin!
Happy days ahead from country of red desert.
Don’t even think about it, these cars are a disaster waiting to happen.
I remember having a race with am MG-B heading north from Campbell Town in Tassie many years ago.
We were in a Fiat 125, top speed 105mph, keeping up with the MGB. When we reached the “disappearing house” corners, the MGB disappeared off the road couldn’t take the corner, but the Fiat did. We had to double back to rescue the occupants (both OK, believe it or not!)
Those sports cars sure could handle – not.
MG can be left in history for mine.
Classic 125 and I believe they still make them in some Eastern European countries. The 124 sports for me and what a classic.
That’s the beauty of MGs both young and old. They keep the wankers out of the marque and in their Commodores and Fiats