MG SV profile
In a surprise announcement after the le Mans 24-hour race in June 2001, MG Rover said it had acquired part of the business interests of the Qvale Automotive group, which manufactured the low-volume but US-certified Qvale Mangusta at a factory in Modena, Northern Italy.
The new MG - codenamed X80 - was based on Mangusta's highly regarded chassis and engineering, coupled to a Ford 4.6 litre V8 engine which produces up to 320 bhp. The X80's styling was the work of MG Rover's design director Peter Stevens, and signified future MG design directions with the grille aperture and a slim central horizontal bar as well as the triple headlamps, a feature also seen on the MGF XP500.
The MG X80 was to give the MG brand a world-class product in the high- performance luxury sports-car sector. Both coupe and roadster versions were planned, with manual and automatic transmissions.
Kevin Howe, chief executive of MG Rover said "the X80 will be an excellent fit at the top of our family of MG cars. It also provides an opportunity to look at markets in which we are not currently represented. In particular the USA, the World's largest sports-car market, 		where we can now seriously evaluate the full potential for the MG brand."
Bruce Qvale, president of Qvale Automotive group said: "MG Rover showed an interest in our Mangusta project in Modena, and we have since agreed a very good deal for both sides. The power of the MG brand now takes the project forward on a global basis."

Launch of sales
In 2003 MG Sport & Racing announced the launch of the MG XPower SV sales. The entry level model was powered by a 320hp 4.6 litre all aluminium quad cam V8 engine taking the SV to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and a top speed of around 165 mph in a carbon fibre body. The engines were re-engineered to 5 litres (385bhp) by Sean Hyland Motorsport in Canada at a reputed cost of £10,000 per engine. There are automatic and higher powered SV-R versions. The front seats with full inertia four belt harnesses, the interior of each car was trimmed in leather.

MG X80 now an incredible 965bhp MG SV (MG World August 2001). More
MG SV production models are on the way! Safety Fast! (November 2003) More
See MG SV photo profile. More
MG SV & SV-R facts
Produced: Revealed at the NEC Birmingham in October 2002, the "first external customer" car was handed over in March 2004. Production continued until 2005 with the collapse of MG Rover and then MG Sports & Racing placed in administration in April 2005. The remaining stocks were subsequently were sold off over an extended period.
Chassis & bodywork: Closed two door sports coupe with a welded steel chassis frame fabricated from laser-cut blanks with tubular steel super structure and unstressed carbon fibre reinforced body panels. Integrated FIA standard roll cage.
Engine: Ford double overhead cam 4.6 litre (5.0 litre SV-R) V8 fuel injected engine with an alluminium block and heads with 320bhp at 6,000rpm (385bhp SV-R).
Performance: 0-60 mph: 5.3 secs (4.9 secs SV-R) and top speed: 165 mph (175 mph SV-R).
Production: It is believed that some 86 cars were built.
Specification: Front and rear discs with four pot calipers, double wishbone independent front & rear coil spring suspension, ABS, PAS, OZ two piece five spoke alloy wheels and a five speed Tremec TR3650 manual gearbox and electronic traction control.
Garage fit? L 14ft 8" (4.480m) x W 6ft 3" (1.900m) x H 4ft 4" (1.320m).
Prices new: £65,750 to £84,950 plus a large range of extras.