The MGF and MG TF use a transverse mid-engine layout with the K-series engine and PG1 five-speed gearbox mounted as a single power unit behind the cabin, driving the rear wheels through short drive shafts with constant velocity (CV) joints at each end. All major drivetrain components, engine, gearbox, clutch, differential, and drive shafts, sit within the rear subframe assembly. Clutch replacement and gearbox removal require working from underneath the car or partial removal of the rear subframe, a more involved job than on a conventional front-engined car with a rear-facing gearbox. Factor labour time into any clutch or gearbox service decision.
Model History, Manual Gearboxes Across the Range
The MGF launched in September 1995 with just the 1.8i 120 PS engine paired to the PG1 five-speed manual gearbox with a 3.9:1 final drive ratio. The following February, the MGF VVC was launched, using the same PG1 internal gear ratios but with a lower 4.2:1 final drive, the same gearset spinning faster through a shorter ratio, producing livelier acceleration to suit the VVC engine's higher-rpm power band. This two-ratio structure, 3.9:1 for the lower-output 1.8i and 1.6i, and 4.2:1 for the higher-output VVC applications, continued through MGF production and carried across to the MG TF.
The MG TF, Four Models, Shared Gearboxes
The MG TF launched in 2002 with four basic models: three manual five-speed variants (TF 115, TF 120, TF 135) and a single automatic (TF 120 Stepspeed CVT). Usefully, the MG TF 135 uses the same gearbox ratios as the MG TF 160, which in turn uses the same gearbox carried over from the MGF VVC, so a gearbox component for a TF 135 is typically the same item as the MGF VVC equivalent. This cross-model sharing strengthens parts availability considerably, since the TF 135 was the MG TF's volume model.
Steptronic and Stepspeed, The ZF CVT Automatic
July 1999 brought the MY2000 facelift and the introduction of the Steptronic automatic model, only available on the 1.8i engine, never on the VVC. The Steptronic was a genuinely clever arrangement: a continuously variable transmission (CVT) gearbox manufactured by the well-established German transmission company ZF, paired with an ECU-controlled hydraulic actuation system. Unlike a conventional CVT that operates only in infinitely-variable mode, the Steptronic included a 'manual' mode with six locked ratios, selectable via steering wheel buttons or the floor-mounted gear lever, that imitated a conventional 'flappy paddle' style manual change while the hardware beneath remained a CVT. This gave the driver the feel of a sporting manual gearbox when wanted, with the smooth variable operation of a CVT otherwise.
Shortly after launch, BMW (then disposing of the Rover Group assets) retained the "Steptronic" name for its own automatics, and the Rover Group transmission was renamed Stepspeed, same gearbox, different badge. Parts for Steptronic and Stepspeed are identical.
Catalogue Structure, Five Child Pages
This section divides into five child pages. Clutch carries the standard and uprated clutch kits (disc, cover, release bearing) with specification-specific variants for Non-VVC, VVC, and the higher-output engines. Drive Shafts carries the left and right rear drive shafts, CV joints, CV boot kits, and drive shaft damper. Gearbox carries the PG1 internal components (synchro rings, selector mechanism, differential and final drive items) and the Stepspeed-specific CVT service items.
Hubs carries the rear wheel hub assemblies, hub bearings, hub carriers, and related fasteners. Upgrades & Alternatives carries uprated clutch options, performance drive shafts, limited-slip differentials, and short-shift kits for owners seeking a more engaging or higher-performance drivetrain installation.
Ordering Guidance
The single most important piece of information when ordering drivetrain parts is the engine variant, because the final drive ratio and therefore the gearbox internals differ between the lower-output 3.9:1 applications (1.6i, 1.8i) and the higher-output 4.2:1 applications (VVC, Trophy 160, TF 135, TF 160). Transmission type (manual or Stepspeed) is the next most important identifier. For Stepspeed owners, the car's VIN is essential because the CVT hardware saw continuous refinement during its production life. Within each child page, the specific components and variants are detailed.