Nanjing's first clean-sheet MG gets tested, better to drive than Ford Focus?

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 09:00:00 EST

This will get some heads turning: after a drive on challenging Welsh roads, Autocar has written "In its poise and agility I'd even say the MG6 is superior" to the Ford Focus Zetec S. There are other compromises: the interior, the gearchange, the NVH, grunt at high revs. But the first bespoke Nanjing-created MG, the MG6, is a certified runner according to the UK mag.

The MG6 hatch was designed at Longbridge, and it benchmarked the Focus for its own handling prowess. The turbocharged 1.8-liter Honda K-series engines isn't new, but the platform is, and this version of the car was tuned for European drivers and roads. As we said, there remain a few niggles, but for a pre-production car to be declared "borderline best-in-class to drive," and by a British pub no less, well, there could be gold in them thar (unlikely) hills.

[Source: Autocar]

Nanjing's first clean-sheet MG gets tested, better to drive than Ford Focus? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Apr 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Caterham Seven receives Ford power on 50th birthday

Randall Halcomb — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 15:26:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Convertible, Performance, Europe, Ford, Lotus

With the bitter end of production of the MG/Rover K-series engine, there was a gaping vacancy left under the hood of the run-of-the-mill Caterham Seven in the UK. Starting in 2007, it's getting a new engine for its 50th birthday. The new powerplant will be Ford's Sigma engine, displacing 1.6-liter in this application. Ford uses this motor in a variety of compact vehicles, such as the Fiesta and Focus, but Caterham's engines will be tuned to produce 120 bhp or 140 bhp. The Roadsport 120 will be fitted with the 120 bhp engine. With the Seven's weight just over 1200 lbs, the 120 bhp engine will allow the car to run 0-60 in 5.9 seconds. The Roadsport 140 will shave almost a full second off the 0-60 at an estimated 5.0 seconds. For the die-hard Seven buyers, the Superlight 140 is lightened 50kg or 110 lbs, which allows it to do 0-60 in about 4.7 seconds with the same engine. The relatively flat torque curve of the Ford Sigma gives just a little bit more performance than the previous K-series motor.

All models will begin production in November, with deliveries to begin at the start of 2007. There will be a more an even more powerful motor available in the second quarter of 2007, so our UK readers will have something to look out for.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Caterham Seven receives Ford power on 50th birthday originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Oct 2006 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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