Do you know the MG Star from the Rétromobile 2024 poster?

The Sino-British manufacturer MG is the star of the poster at the Retromobile 2024 show with its legendary EX181, which broke numerous records.

From January 31 to February 4, 2024, among hundreds of stunning vintage cars to admire in the aisles of the Retromobile (partnered with Autohebdo), will be the remarkable MG EX181.

This car, born in 1957, was designed exclusively to break speed records. But with a very specific feature: doing so with a small 1.5-liter engine. The same engine that powered the latest commercial model from the English firm, the pretty MG Type A roadster. When it comes to advertising, nothing beats records.

Perfect Aerodynamics

However, there was a catch: to reach the targeted 400 km/h, more than the original 68 horsepower was needed. MG added a volumetric compressor and a fuel based on ethanol, nitrobenzene, acetone, and ether. This boosted power to 290 horsepower at 7300 rpm.

Next, a body with perfect aerodynamics was required. With its water-drop shape, wider at the front than at the rear, the MG EX181 claimed a air penetration coefficient of 0.12. An astonishing feat. With its weight limited to 866 kg fully fueled and with the driver onboard, the MG EX181 was very lightweight.

Standing only 972 centimeters tall, the MG EX181 first sped to 395.31 km/h in 1957 with Stirling Moss driving, breaking the land speed record for a vehicle in this engine displacement class.

Faster than a Bugatti Veyron

But dissatisfied with crossing the 400 km/h mark, MG revised its design, notably adding 10 more horsepower. A small vertical fin also appeared at the rear of the bodywork to improve stability at high speeds.

Thus, two years later, in 1959, on the salt lake in Bonneville, Utah (USA), Phill Hill reached 410.23 km/h. A performance that a Bugatti Veyron, with over 1000 horsepower, only achieved many years later thanks to its 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16. This highlights the impressive performance of the small MG EX181.

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