Full choke and a wide open throttle were found the best combination for cold starting, which keeps the starter motor busy for several seconds. Once running, the engine is quick to warm up.
Standing-start acceleration times are within a second of those of the earlier car up to 70mph, but from rest to 90mph took 35.6sec – a full three seconds slower. Top gear maximum speed is slightly lower than before, with a best of just over 100mph, as compared with 105mph.
The gearlever action is in keeping with the sporting MG tradition; movement across the gate is very short. It comes as a surprise nowadays to find no synchromesh on first, and some skill is needed to double-declutch quietly.
All the ratios are nicely spaced and give a logical progression for hard acceleration through the gears. Overdrive works with third gear, extending its maximum to 98mph, and the sustained power change is useful for acceleration at high speeds. An inhibitor switch prevents overdrive from engaging when the throttle is closed; in other words, it can only come in while the engine is pulling, and hence without a jerk. One can revert to direct drive only under power, making it difficult to obtain progressive engine braking.
MG always underlines the security of their cars, and in this model the claims are certainly justified on the scores of roadholding, steering, braking and predictable handling. The driver can sense the car’s response to a given corner, and correct with ease any slight tail-slide. There is a wide safety margin for the over-enthusiastic or the unskilled.
