Performance Review: MG F 1.8i VVC - [1995]

Figures & Specs Summary:

MG F Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the MG F 1.8i VVC is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1995. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1996 Ferrari F50 GT1 4.7l V12 and the 1995 McLaren F1 LM 6.1 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 1070 kgs (2358 lbs) this makes the MG F 1.8i VVC in the same weight category as the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated 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 143 bhp (106 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 128 lb-ft (173.5 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (148 lb-ft) or the 2013 Caterham 7 485 2.0L (152 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 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (158.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the MG F.

The MG F has a Power to weight ratio of 133.6 bhp per ton and 119.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1995 F competing with the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (158.6 bhp per ton) or the 2010 Alfa-Romeo Brera JTS 3.2 V6 24v (158.5 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 119.6 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 2005 Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Spec B (144.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1983 Jaguar XJ S 3.6 Coupe (144.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.2 secs, this made the MG F 1.8i VVC as fast as 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 or the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs). This MG F 1.8i VVC is also faster than the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs) the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (7.10 secs) the and the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (7.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the F and the 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray ZR-1

When talking about the performance of the MG F on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.09 secs @ 85.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray ZR-1 (16.02 secs), the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (16.02 secs), and the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (16.03 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1995 version of the MG F 1.8i VVC has a maximum speed of 126mph.

Top Speed of the 1995 F equals the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (137 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1995 MG F 1.8i VVC then how about the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (137 mph), the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (137 mph), or the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (137 mph).

Related Links:

1995 F Rivals List.

A Brief History of MG

Car Comparison