FOLLOWING a largely trouble-free start to the European supercar racing series, MG is gearing up for a full season with its five-litre SV-R.
The company says that the race cars require only minimal modification from road-going versions.
The XPower SV is a race-bred road car that incorporates a number of track-inspired features and has been modified for the series by Birmingham-based racecar preparation specialists JP Motorsport.
The recent initial Jarama race in Spain is one of eight in the VdeV Endurance Championships, which is part of the Federation of French Sportscar Association races.
It includes visits to Spa Francorchamps, Magny Cours, Circuit Paul Ricard and other French circuits.
The MG XPower SV has been developed from the start as a road-going track car, so the modifications required to make it race-legal are minimal.
The standard integral roll cage needs only a diagonal beam added to make it race compliant and its carbon composite bodywork is appropriate for the race application, being both light and strong.
MG XPower's five-litre, 32-valve quad camshaft, all-aluminium V8 engine has been specially tuned by Canadian specialist Sean Hyland. The power is deployed through 18 inch five-spoke alloy wheels and the car is brought to standstill by large ventilated four-pot Brembo disc brakes.
The standard five-litre V8 MG SV-R has a top speed of 175mph, acceleration to 60mph in 4.9 seconds and costs £82,950, although there is a cheaper 4.6-litre version at £65,750.