NAC MG: TF LE 500 price now announced
...and it's not good news
Keith Adams
Picture: English Fantasy (www.mgtf.be)
NAC MG UK Limited has today announced that the MG TF LE 500 will
cost £16,399 on the road when deliveries of the car commence in September.
Gary Hagen, the company’s Sales and Marketing Director, said: “We
are delighted to be able to bring in such a highly specified car at such a reasonable
price. When you consider the level of specification that comes with the LE500,
the package is extremely competitive.”
However, with a premium price, which is higher than industry observers
expected, there are fears that, despite the low production numbers currently
envisaged, the TF LE 500 might not perform well in the market. There are new
features over the previous model, phased out in 2005 when MG Rover went into
administration, although these are limited to an upgraded engine and a number
of adjustments to the MG's specification. However, these modifications reportedly
correct most of the changes made under Project
Drive which was implemented during the dying months of the MG Rover era.
The TF LE 500 retains the mid-mounted, EU IV compliant, 1.8-litre
16v 135bhp engine but now comes with a standard, body coloured, hardtop while
the sports-styled leather seats and piano black trim give the interior of the
car a visual lift. Parking sensors, a Pioneer MP3 compatible CD/radio unit and
LE 500 badging, graphics and trim complete the upgraded package.
Gary concluded: “The backing of SAIC, China’s largest
car maker, and the fact the LE 500 has been designed, engineered and is being
built in the UK, will play a major role in the car’s success. When it
was last available, the MG was the UK’s best selling small sports car.
We are confident that the indicated demand for the return of the marque from
dealers, enthusiasts and most importantly new customers will see it reclaim
that position."
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