MG ZS
| MG ZS | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | MG (MG Rover) |
| Production | 2001–2005 |
| Assembly | United Kingdom: Longbridge, Birmingham United Kingdom: Cowley, Oxford |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Small family car (C) |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Related | Rover 45 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.4 L K-Series Straight-4 - Ireland only 1.6 L K-Series Straight-4 1.8 L K-Series Straight-4 2.5 L KV6 V6 2.0 L "Rover L-Series engine" Straight-4 |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | MG Montego |
| Successor | MG6 |
The MG ZS is a sports family car that was built by MG from 2001 until 2005. The ZS is essentially a tuned version of the Rover 45 (which was launched in 1999). The 45 in turn is a facelifted version of the Rover 400 which was launched in hatchback form in 1995 and saloon form in 1996. The earlier version of the 400 (Rover 400 Mk 1) was significantly different to the Mk 2 model. The 45 (Mk 1) had no parts based on the Mk 1 400.
The model was rapidly created from the Rover 45 after BMW sold off Rover in April 2000. Development of the model was greatly accelerated by the fact that Rover had already created 400 Series prototypes of the car using V6 engines and sporting suspension setups. In fact, MG Rover developed MG versions of all three Rover cars on sale at the time.
The Rover 45 donor car did not have a reputation for being a driver's car but in fact it was the most suitable car in the Rover range for transformation into an MG, its Honda heritage providing double wishbone front suspension and fully independent multi link rear suspension.
As a Rover, the 45 was optimised for comfort rather than handling — however, as an MG the opposite was the case. The MG ZS 180, offering 175 bhp (130 kW; 177 PS) from the 2.5 L V6 engine and acceleration to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, received favourable reviews in the press, with particular praise for its steering, handling and suspension. Setting the ZS apart from most rivals was the V6 configuration, when most of its rivals were using turbochargers. This added to the aural appeal of the ZS, and added to the desirability of the model MG ZS 180.
A successor to the Rover 45/MG ZS (known internally as RD/X60) was under development in the early 2000s. This was to have been based on a shortened Rover 75 floorplan, and was to appear in saloon, hatchback and 'tourer' (estate) bodystyles. Chassis development was being undertaken by Tom Walkinshaw Racing, and ceased when TWR collapsed. The non appearance of RD/X60 meant that the ZS was facelifted, and continued in production until the demise of MG Rover.
In the first few months of 2004, the ZS was facelifted with the rest of the range of MG Rover. The retro design cues adopted when the 400 became the 45 were mostly dropped. For the first time, the Rover 45 and MG ZS became noticeably different looking cars, all the ZS models had the option of being bodykitted with a kit derived from the MG XPower SV, but this must be bought at the time of purchase, and was a cost option. The cars from the 2004MY also received a revised interior with new seat materials, a new dash design incorporating climate control on the model ZS120+, and the range topping modelMG ZS 180.
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