The roadster formerly known as SMART sets the stage for Kimber's 2007 MG roadster
The MG Rover
Group currently sits in the capable hands of high-profile execs assembled by the Kimber Group in the U.K., and the
plans for the brand couldn't be more exciting.
By 2011, the group says that MG Rover will produce just under 20,000 units of two new roadsters, with the first and smaller roadster expected in 2007. The mini roadster is based on the SMART Roadster, while the larger is expected to raid the parts bins of the old MG TFs, which went out of production with the rest of the MG Group a year ago. If all goes well, drivers in the U.S. will see the larger of the two roadsters come to American shores.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
John Bryans Fontaine 4:44PM (3/21/2006)
This is the True updated Opel GT! If only the Saturn Sky clone looked instead like this.
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Corey W 4:55PM (3/21/2006)
Is it me, or is that a smiley face on four wheels!! ;-)
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Dark Leth 5:10PM (3/21/2006)
Finally, a new roadster that looks happy!
Good to see the British automaker back on its legs.
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Ian 5:17PM (3/21/2006)
In this shot, it reminds me of an old AMC Pacer! I wonder if it comes with the super rope dispenser in the roof!
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Richard Warren 5:23PM (3/21/2006)
AMC Pacer
with a happy smiley face
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Otto Ingineer 5:59PM (3/21/2006)
I think the "happy smiley face" will definitely be the drivers! Everything I have heard about the Smart Roadster is that it is a hoot to drive...like a 2/3 scale Miata. Small, Light, Nimble and Fun! If the Lotus Elise can be sold here, why not this? Bring it over the pond so we Yanks can terrorize parking lot auto-cross courses across the country.
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Andy 10:25PM (3/21/2006)
This is confusing.. Kimber lost out to Nanjing Auto ini their bid for MG last year. So now..Kimber bought the rights back from Nanjing? Who exactly owns MG now? Also, isn't it MG-Rover, and doesn't BMW own Rover? Can you research this, Erin?
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Micke 3:44AM (3/22/2006)
This is great news. The SMART roadster was great fun to drive and it was a sad day when production stopped. (I hope the guys at Smartsrus will equip this new incarnation with the Hayabusa engine too.)
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ca6 12:39PM (3/22/2006)
With those wheels, that car will be slooooow. :-P
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Jedi 6:54PM (3/28/2006)
Having a smart Roadster I was very interested in seeing that Kimber were going to make them. However after seeing the mock up photo I cannot state just how ugly it looks. Those headlights! Memories of the Ford Scorpio's frog eyes come flooding back. NO no no no no. I don't like it.. Can you tell..
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MoJo 7:35PM (5/06/2006)
Sorry but this is not credible reporting. The Chinese firm Nanjng Automotive owns the rights to MG. BMW still owns the rights to the Rover name. The Chinese firm is reopening the Longbridge plant to produce the MGTF with in the year.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_midlands/4886204.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_midlands/4912474.stm
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MoJo 7:45PM (5/06/2006)
That is not very clear. If you go to the actual article in Autoweek it says they are in talking to the chinese about using the MG name. Nanjng Automotive still owns the rights to MG and is going to start production of the MGTF this fall at the Longbridge plant. They my license the name for use in the USA but I doubt they will for the UK.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_midlands/4912474.stm
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