MG TF LE500 (2008) CAR review

You can buy a British-made MG again. The TF LE500 – a heavily re-worked special edition of the well-loved original sportscar – is now rolling off Longbridge’s production lines for £16,399, packed with extras like leather seats and iPod compatibility, plus EU4 engine emissions compliancy. The 500-run limited edition is already 80 percent sold and more importantly, it spearheads the start of a whole new MG range, more of which later…

But should I care about the new MG TF? Isn’t this just a motor with mid-90s roots re-heated for 2008?

Yes and no. At a glance it’s clearly very similar to the TF car that died when MG Rover collapsed just a few years back, but there are significant changes. It’s got a smarter new nose with a bright grille mesh, bigger 16-inch alloys wheels as standard, a de rigueur piano black lacquer interior fascia, neat new driver dials and a Pioneer stereo with iPod cable in the glovebox.

Pick the flat orange with black alloys, and the black soft-top from the six new colour options and the car looks far from ‘old news’. And as the car is launching in the autumn MG has also thrown in a hardtop as standard.

The changes aren’t just cosmetic either. The suspension and brakes have been updated and the engine re-worked to meet new emissions regulations while keeping the perky performance intact.

Surely the driving experience is off the pace?

In terms of refinement, compared to a current Mazda MX-5, yes, but in terms of overall enjoyment it’s still genuinely great fun to drive. The chunky steering wheel feels right and gives reassuringly direct feedback, the mid-engined layout assists the solid feeling of the car through quick twisty lanes and 0-62mph from the plucky 134bhp 1.8-litre seems – and sounds – way more exhilarating than more powerful cars.

Click 'Next' below to read more of our MG TF LE500 first drive