In early 1998, driven by his enthusiasm for dragracing, then Rover Group I Engineering Director Nick Stephenson (latterly one of the Phoenix Four) tasked a team, led by Project Engineer Dave Kewley, to extend further the appeal of the MGF. This followed the success the previous year with a modified MGF (MG EXF) that had done well attending Bonneville Speedweek on its first attempt with a 217.4mph run. The modifications included removing the windscreen, extending the tail length - making it delightfully attractive with the historically-referenced dark green paintwork and lightning stripe.
The EXF engine was the same 1.4-litre K-series used previously in the Metro GTi Class-E land speed records at Millbrook in 1990. This was a special, highly-tuned version and even had concrete (yes, you read that correctly)in the sump to improve the bottom-end rigidity and reduce oil dispersion with the dry-sump arrangement.
