YOU would expect the MG TF's brother to be faster, more rugged and handsome.

And that's what the MG GT concept is.

The company's design team has taken the popular TF and turned it into a modern-day expression of the beloved MGB GT from the trendy 1960s.

That car was treated to some more powerful engines in the shape of the three-litre straight six (MGC) and 3.5-litre V8 (MGB GT V8), and so the engineers have developed this latest concept around the 2.5-litre KV6 engine.

Raising power to 200bhp, performance is predicted to give the GT sub six second zero to 60mph acceleration.

As engineers and planners consider ideas for the next generation of MG sports car, they have been researching the fixed-head market. Many of the warmer climate markets prefer sports cars to have an integrated, coup style and air conditioning to cope with high summer temperatures. Also, recent models like the Audi TT have shown that hardtops can be highly popular for customers who prefer the style of a fixed-head coup.

Features of interest specified on the MG GT concept include 17-inch Gunsmoke five-spoke OZ alloy wheels, similar in design to the MG XPower SV. An extended front aero splitter is balanced by a longer tail-spoiler integrated into the bootlid design, generating reduced lift at speed.

New door mirrors feature indicator lamps and also the switch for the electronic door opening feature, that has eliminated the external door handles for a clean exterior look. The interior is trimmed with burgundy red leather seats, with the fascia and door casings also following the same colour scheme.

The TF's recent sales performance is impressive. It is the UK's best selling sports car and sales have climbed in each year for the last three. More improvements will be introduced next year.

Updated: 12:00 Friday, November 19, 2004