Stunning drop-top SV-R blows cover

By Mark Nichol

11th June 2008

HIDDEN away in a quiet corner of a workshop is the future of the MG SV-R – and our exclusive picture reveals it’s ready to raise the roof in the supercar class.

The shot was taken by an insider at MG Sport and Racing, and shows the drop-top will feature a manual cloth hood. Power comes from the same 520bhp supercharged Ford V8 as the coupé driven on Page 26.

This prototype was snapped at the firm’s plant in Eardiston, Worcs, where it’s being readied for testing this summer.

The car is part of the product offensive planned by MG Sport and Racing’s new owner, William Riley. Speaking exclusively to Auto Express, Riley revealed he aims to sell 2,000 cars a year from his purpose-built site, currently under expansion. Work is soon to start on an entry-level, £38,000, fibreglass-bodied SV-R with a 3.0-litre Ford V6. As our sketch shows, it loses the aggressive wheelarches and sharkfin vents of the SV-R for a sleeker, more graceful look.

Also on the way is an electric 150mph version, set to rival the Tesla roadster with a 5.0-second 0-60mph time. Construction of the green SV-R has begun, and on-road testing starts this year.