Obviously any FWD MG BMW is considering would be the cheapest part of a range
of MGs.
For Rover (should be called BMC again now) to make a Miata-price sportscar
it would have to be based on existing mechanicals. Mazda makes the Miata on a
dedicated platform, but Mazda is fortunate by a low yen, making those little
rice burners cheap as dirt to make. Rover suffers a very high pound making
anything British very expensive. Any cheap MG, a market MG should be in,
would have to be based on the next Mini to be affordable. That would make a
perfect Midget, if the Mini handles as well as is claimed by Rover.
Next up the range should be an MGF type car. No idea who's folly an
affordable mid-engined sportscar was, but the MGF is priced way below its
market I think. Nobody ever made any money with an affordable mid-engined
car. Fiat tried it with the X1/9, and didn't make a dime and Toyota tried it
with the MR-2 but when they were done it suddenly wasn't affordable anymore
and they weren't making any money. With a FWD car on the bottom end, that
gives room for a much improved next generation MGF, that costs more and makes
more money for MG. That car shouldn't have anythign less than a six cylinder
in it's middle.
Here's where dream land takes over...
The top-of-the range MG sportscar should be a grand tourer, rear wheel
drive, in the tradition of the Jaguar XJ-S or the SA, VA, WA grand touring
convertibles. Wouldn't that be nice? An MG convertible that REALLY has four
seats? Update the Rover V-8 or borrow a nice BMW unit.
Parallel to the convertibles should be a range of sedans based on the
current Rovers. You all might call this badge engineering silly, but there is
big money in this stuff. MG did it since DAY ONE with badge engineered pre-
war Morris Oxfords, and after the war with badge engineered Wolseleys becoming
ZAs, Austin Cambridges becoming Mk. III, Morris 1100's becoming MG 1100's and
Montegos, Metros, and Maestros were pretty damn good sellers in a bad era.
Remember MG has to make money not just memories.
Take the new Rover 75, restyle it not as a Riley but as an MG and sell that
as the range topper, call it a MAGNA. They'd make an absolute killing it is
was even a half way decent car.
Take the next generation sedan below that (400?) and make it a MAGNETTE.
You couldn't just do a grill and badge job on this car, but still use that
platform and price it around the cost of a fully kitted out Mondeo. Two doors
four doors hatchback versions would be pretty cool. Nothing wrong with a
"shooting brake"
MG was, for a brief time, a full range company. Its was the heady days of
the 1960's where you could go down to the MG dealer and choose between a MG
Midget (which is rear wheel drive not because it's a better sportscar, but
because that was the cheapest option in 1961), an MG 1100 (which was a nippy
little sedan with excellent handling), an MGB or MGB-GT, and the Magnette
(which was a great car no matter what those who''ve never driven one say and
that includes most journalists). MG made a ton of money back then.
The problems came when these cars got old, were permitted to be produced too
long and eventually weren't replaced. Lets not make that mistake again.
John (who would love a nice 4-dr MG supercharged sedan along with his
convertible)
That would be an AWESOME range of cars. MG doesn't just mean two seats two
doors and no roof. MG produced, in remarkable quantities, many large luxury
cars, small well built sedans and some pretty fast touring convertibles. You
can't just have one model, and BMW is right not to bring back just a single MG
to America. They need to roll out a range of cars.
|