The conception of the MG XPower SV became reality for MG Rover by the acquisition of the Italian sports car manufacturer Qvale Automotive. The MG XPower SV was based upon the steel box chassis of the Qvale Mangusta. In the year 2001 the concept named MG X80 saw the light of day. The MG XPower SV was designed by the Englishman Peter Stevens. Production of the MG XPower SV proved to be a complex matter. First because the body was manufactured of very expensive and ultra light carbon fiber composite and second because the production took place in Italy and Great Britain. The carbon composite body panels were manufactured at SP Systems in Great Britain. The panels were shipped to Belco Avia in Turin (Italy) were the body's were assembled and mated with the steel box chassis. The Italians also fitted all driving gear like the engine, gearbox and the suspension. After that the cars were shipped to  MG Rover in Longbridge (GB) to be completed. The MG XPower SV featured a tuned 320 bhp. 4.6 Litre Ford V8 engine, a Tremec 5-speed gearbox and a BTR limited slip differential. In the year 2004 the more powerful MG XPower SV-R was added. The SV-R was fitted with an even more potent 5.0 liter 32 valve Ford V8 delivering a proud 385 bhp. With a top speed of 282 km/u the SV-R was 16 km/h faster as the 'normal' SV. The MG XPower SV-R accelerated from 0-100 km/h in about 5 seconds. Next to the SV and SV-R models MG Rover introduced the SV-S and SV-RS versions. These cars were fitted with the 4.6 Litre engine but a compressor was added. The engine capacity equaled the 5.0 Litre SV-R with 385 bhp. Only 56 MG XPower SV-R were built of which 23 left hand drive models. Nowadays the MG XPower cars are sought after collector items.. 

Technical data

Ford V8 DOHC 32V
petrol injection
cylinder capacity: 5000 cc.
capacity: 385 DIN bhp. at 6000 rpm.
torque: 510 Nm. at 4750 rpm.
top-speed: 282 km/h.
weight: 1450 kg.

Information

MG XPower SV-R, year 2005. Colour Midnight Blue with a blue/dark grey leather/alcantara interior. This tremendous and purposeful MG XPower SV-R was built for the Turin car show in Italy but the car was never to be presented there because of the demise of MG/Rover. The MG XPower SV-R is a rare automobile, in total 56 were built of which 23 Left Hand Drive models like this one.