MG TF LE is VG (From Bournemouth Echo)

MG TF LE is VG

4:19pm Friday 17th April 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

MG has been reborn, thanks to its new Chinese owners. The TF is back in production at the Longbridge plant in the UK. It does look very similar to the older model but MG has made some significant changes.

The first thing you notice is the new front grille which is more aggressive looking.

There are new black 16 inch alloys, comfortable and supportive leather seats, piano black lacquered interior fascia, new driver’s dials and a nice remote control Pioneer 'pop off front' car stereo with iPod connection in the glove box.

There is a new dashboard which is quite well laid out although it is slightly let down by the plastic feel of the switches.

Included in the price is a hard top, this is nice touch as often these are optional extras on convertibles and are generally expensive.

The changes are not just cosmetic. MG has re-worked the suspension giving a good ride and the TF stops well thanks to the new larger, upgraded brakes.

Enough about the new bits, time for the driving experience.

Having not driven an MG for nearly ten years, I was not sure what to expect. The good news is this car is fun, not fast, just good fun!

Behind the wheel the TF feels stable thanks to its well-balanced weight distribution and mid-engine layout.

The TF turns in quickly and rarely feels on the edge, this is a forgiving rear wheel drive, in fact the chassis would easily deal with more power.

Although there is only 135bhp on tap from the 1.8litre engine, the TF feels surprisingly sprightly and a lot more fun than other similarly powered cars.

The TF will get from zero to 60 miles per hour in 8.4 seconds and will continue to 127mph flat out.

The soft top is manually operated but is very simple, just two clips and the roof is down. Easy!

Boot space is 210 litres, plenty for a couple of weekend bags.

There is some wind noise at speed but that is to be expected in any convertible.

MG has limited the production of the TF LE 500 to you guessed it, just 500 cars. You get a limited edition badge inside the cabin near the centre consol.

After driving the TF over a sunny weekend, I must admit the car really grew on me, there is a definite feel-good factor and simplicity to it.

It’s not packed with loads of new technology, just raw good fun.