1985 MG EX-E Concept

The MG EX-E was a feasible production car undertaken by Austin Rover in 1985. The design was supervised by Roy Axe, the Design Director of Rover, and the cars were based around the Metro 6R4. The MG EX-E had an aluminum chassis and a plastic body. The engine was a 3 liter DOHC 24 valve V6 engine, with 253 bhp at 7000 rpm and a top speed of 170 mph (claimed). The car was never put into production. However, the shape influenced cars of the late 1980s and 1990s, such as the 1989 Honda NSX.

First shown to the world at the 1985 Frankfurt motor show, it is fair to say that the MG EX-E shocked visitors simply because it was so attractive and so unexpected. At the time of the EX-E's debut, MG could only offer the "M" cars - sporting saloons and hatchbacks - so it came as a pleasant surprise to note that the company was still interested in the idea of designing and producing sports cars.

The EX-E's frontal design and glasshouse meant it bore a striking resemblance to the previous year's Honda HP-X concept, styled by Pininfarina.

Source: Lotusespritturbo.com; Keith Adams - www.austin-rover.co.uk

Images: Concept Car Central