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'SV-R provided us with one of the best drives we've had in a long time'
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| DRIVING RATING: |
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The SV is certainly one of the more user-friendly supercars around. Sure, the clutch and gearbox are heavy, but the brake pedal and throttle are not, and neither is the steering. A little throttle is needed to get the car rolling from standstill despite the SV having a 375lb ft, 5.0-litre V8, but once underway it's a very manageable car to drive. There's no overheating or noticeable heat-soak into the cabin from the engine and transmission, while the turning circle is exceptionally good (10.6m) and visibility from the comfortable cabin is impressive. The ride's notable, too: firm but not harsh, despite 18-inch wheels and low, 40-profile tyres.
At speed, there's some road and wind noise, more than you'd get in a 911, certainly, which makes the SV a less impressive motorway cruiser than the Porsche, but straight-line stability is very good and steering weight is consistent at any speed, although the steering wheel's a little too large for our taste.
Once onto more demanding roads, the SV shows surprising mettle and, although it may not prove blindingly fast around a race track, the MG is a capable and thoroughly entertaining road car. MG reckons that the roll-centre is at about the same height as the driver's hip, so there's precious little roll in corners and the car steers with accuracy and precision, with mild feedback through the wheel. It rides bumps and dips with comfortable reassurance, without any risk of bucking or grounding, and while the SV doesn't roll significantly, it's also happy to change direction quickly, making it feel considerably lighter than its 1500kg kerb weight would suggest. The front-mid-engine layout and rear-drive mean it's well balanced in corners, and the big engine's linear and progressive response make trimming a corner-exit line with the throttle easy.
You might be surprised to hear it, and we were a little surprised to experience it: the SV-R provided us with one of the best drives we've had in a long time.
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