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September 30, 2003
found this online ad thought i would pass it on..i have a picture of the ca
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r in my pict folder (62 midget)
quote:
"The string-back gloves are off... MG Rover is aiming to knock its rivals f
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or six with a sensational reinvention of the Midget.
Inspired by one of the most successful cars the firm has ever built, the dr
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op-top is aimed at the likes of the Ford Streetka and
Smart Roadster - both of which were revealed to international acclaim last
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year.
Other rivals include the forthcoming Volkswagen Polo Spyder and SEAT Tango,
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but, to guarantee success, it's thought the
newcomer could cost as little as =A310,000 when it goes on sale in 2005. Me
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uring around 3.5 metres long and 1.6 metres wide, the
all-new Midget is a pure two-seater. Stowage space will be at a premium, a
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nd to keep costs as low as possible, the car will only
sport a basic roof.
Initially, entry-level models are likely to be powered by a 1.6-litre engin
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e producing around 100bhp. This edition of the no-frills
roadster will put driver thrills ahead of outright performance - just like
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the 1961 original.
Tuned versions to rival more powerful opposition, including the likes of t
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he Toyota MR2 and Mazda MX-5, could also be produced,
although MG Rover would probably be keen to avoid competing with its own,
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bigger MG TF - Britain's best-selling roadster.
Another possibility is a 1.4-litre car, which would slash the Midget's pric
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e even further. Offering less than 90bhp, this machine
would combine light weight with a high-revving engine to offer a first-rat
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e driving experience.
Despite its British pedigree, the new Midget will be a truly international
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affair. Based on the TATA Aria concept car, which made its
debut at the 2000 Geneva Motor Show, and designed by the IDEA Institute in
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Italy, the project is currently being pushed forward by
TATA Engineering, the automotive arm of the Indian conglomerate, TATA.
MG Rover's involvement is likely to be restricted to development work on ho
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ning the chassis and ensuring that the engine range will
meet strict emissions standards. TATA, meanwhile, will take care of product
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ion, building the car in India and selling it across the
world. The success of the proposed link between TATA and MG Rover will be p
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ut to the test later this year when the Longbridge
company begins to import a new supermini made in India.
Developed by the firm from TATA's Indica, the car is expected to cost aroun
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d =A37,000 and will be powered by an MG Rover-sourced
engine. It's thought the work the company does on this model might be used
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to help build the Midget, which may feature an updated
Indica platform when it goes on sale.
The real attraction of the deal for TATA is not MG Rover's engineering skil
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l, or brand value, but its European sales and servicing
network. The firm has around 250 outlets which TATA is thought to be inter
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ested in.
Article from: Auto Express, UK"
"modernlmi2000" < modernlmi@... > 25742
Posted on September 30, 2003 03:10 AM
Posted to category(s) Body | Engine (external) | Engine (internal) | Exterior | Interior | International | Suspension & Steering | Tuning | US States
