This is the 2004 MG XPower SV-R, a unique vehicle that was designed by the world renowned British automotive designer, @peterstevensdesign. The story of the XPower SV begins in 2001, after British automobile manufacturer MG Rover acquired independent Italian car manufacturer, Qvale. MG Rover subsequently created a new project coded X80, and set up a subsidiary company known as MG X80 Ltd., with the intentions of creating a new model based on the Qvale Mangusta. The MG X80 first debuted as a concept car in June of 2001. The chassis and suspension of the MG X80/SV project was developed by Vaccari and Bosi in Modena, Italy. The project expeditiously advanced from one MG X80 concept, to a series of four prototype cars known as XP1-XP4. The third prototype, XP3 was shown at the 2002 Birmingham Motor Show, and the name was then changed to ‘Xpower SV’. The MG Sport and Racing Division was created to individually handle the production of the XPower SV. Three power options were available, which are broken down to the standard SV (4.6L V8 320 bhp), the uprated SV-R shown here (5.0L V8 385bhp), and the supercharged SV-S (two valve 4.6L V8 385bhp). The transmission options consisted of either a 5-speed Tremec manual or a 4-speed Automatic. United Kingdom-based company, SP Systems, was responsible for the development of the carbon fiber material that was then shipped to Belco Avia in Italy for assembly. By the time entered administration in 2005, around 82 total examples of the SV/SV-R/SV-S were created, with the exclusion of the four prototypes. Subsequently, Nanjing Automobile (Group) Corporation acquired assets of the defunct MG Rover Group. Years later in 2008, a man named William Riley purchased XPower SV related assets from PricewaterhouseCoopers. Riley then formed MG Sports and Racing Europe Ltd, as a way to continue to the production of the model, however, Riley wound up losing a legal dispute over use of the ‘MG’ name, and no new vehicles were created.
How many made? 1 of 42
Engine: 5.0-litre Ford Modular V8 - 385bhp•
Debut: 2002 Birmingham Motor Show
Top Speed: around 175mph
0-60mph: around 4.9 seconds
Photo Credit: @mrrobhunt
Research: @rarecarsonly