Performance Review: MG F 1.8i VVC 160ps Trophy - [2001]

Figures & Specs Summary:

MG F Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the MG F 1.8i VVC 160ps Trophy is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2001. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2001 Lamborghini Diablo GTR 6.0L V12 and the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12.This particular MG F has a 1796cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The F shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the F's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1075 kgs (2369 lbs) this makes the MG F 1.8i VVC 160ps Trophy in the same weight category as the 2018 Lotus Exige Cup 430 Type 25 or the give or take 50kg.

The MG F shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1796cc 16V St4 engine produces 157 bhp (117 kW) @ 7000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 135 lb-ft (183.0 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (159 lb-ft) or the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (148 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the MG F you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1962 Buick Riviera 6.6 V8 (170.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the MG F.

The MG F has a Power to weight ratio of 146.0 bhp per ton and 125.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2001 F competing with the 1962 Buick Riviera 6.6 V8 (170.9 bhp per ton) or the 1989 Mercedes SL Class 500SL R129 (170.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the MG F generating around 125.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1999 Porsche Boxster 2.7 Roadster (150.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1948 Jaguar XK 120 Roadster (150.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.1 secs, this made the MG F 1.8i VVC 160ps Trophy as fast as the 2015 Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Coupe (6.90 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 V6 Supercharged (6.90 secs) the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.90 secs) the or the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (6.90 secs). This MG F 1.8i VVC 160ps Trophy is also faster than the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs) the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (7.00 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (7.00 secs) the and the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the F and the 2002 Lotus Elise S2 1.8 111S

When talking about the performance of the MG F on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.61 secs @ 87.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Lotus Elise S2 1.8 111S (15.55 secs), the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TSI 4Motion (15.56 secs), and the 1972 Lamborghini Urraco 2.5L V8 P250 (15.57 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2001 version of the MG F 1.8i VVC 160ps Trophy has a maximum speed of 137mph.

Top Speed of the 2001 F equals the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (148 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2001 MG F 1.8i VVC 160ps Trophy then how about the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (148 mph), the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Woks 2.0 Turbo (148 mph), or the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Clubman (148 mph).

Related Links:

2001 F Rivals List.

A Brief History of MG

Car Comparison