The MG EX-E had been a brilliantly kept secret, unexpected by media or show visitors. It was a striking two-seater, hard-top sports car, billed at the time as: ‘The concept car that was too exciting to keep secret’. It was also built with the possibility of production very much in mind. Underneath, it rode on an MG Metro 6R4 platform, and was designed from the outset to be powered by a version of its V6 engine.
Ironically, the EX-E went on to generate more media coverage than some of Frankfurt’s main new models that year, including the brand new Mercedes-Benz W124, which was a massive new launch for the domestic market. As a prototype, EX-E was technically fascinating, with a drag coefficient of 0.24 and an aluminium spaceframe that was bonded together. The self-coloured, unstressed plastic body panels were a novelty, too, while a glass-topped targa roof was added to give it some open-air appeal.
