Le Mans racer the centrepiece of MG's return.

The flagship MG racing project for 2001 will be the Le Mans 24 hour sports car race, where they will enter the all-new MG Lola EX257, designed and built by Lola Cars International, with input from MG Rover.

The EX257, unveiled today at the NEC after a minutes silence was observed for Michele Alboreto, will be powered by an MG X Power 2 litre, four-cylinder turbo unit from racing engine specialists Advanced Engine Research (AER).

Two EX257s have been entered into the LMP675 class (Le Mans Prototype with a minimum weight of 675kg), which Lola won in the 2000 event, also with an engine prepared by AER.

Development of the EX257s has been taking place through April, ready for the pre-testing sessions at Le Mans on 6 May. Chamberlain Motorsport is responsible for the MG Lola team management at Le Mans, and there is a strong line-up of British drivers - Mark Blundell, Julian Bailey, Anthony Reid, Warren Hughes, Kevin McGarrity and Jonny Kane.

"We ran a few laps in Spain and I was very impressed... I think (MG and Lola) have done a incredible job," said ex-Champcar star Mark Blundell at the NEC launch, "I think we'll surprise a lot of people."

"It's nice to be back in the UK and great to be with MG flying the flag," added Blundell, who helped remove the Union Jack covering the car at today's launch, to reveal a vivid green and graphite colour scheme.

"This is the most exciting project that Lola has done since I've been there," enthused Frank Dernie, chief engineer at Lola Cars International, "While the Champcars are great fun and very competitive this is something completely new because I don't think anyone has ever done a 675 car at this level."

Doug Bebb, project manager with Chamberlain Motorsport, which will run the cars, added: "This is the first 675kg category car that has been specially designed to meet the new regulations of Le Mans. It is a purpose built car with a brand new engine and a brand new way of manufacturing certain parts - everything is state-of-the-art. Meeting the weight limit has been a key challenge."