MG ZS (2001): Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=JanuaryNovember 20182020}}

| name = MG ZS MK2

|predecessor successor = [[MG MontegoGT|MG5]]<br/>[[MG 6|MG6]]

|related class = [[HondaSmall Domanifamily car]]<br />([[Rover 45C-segment|C]])

[[File:2002.mg.xs.arp.jpg|thumb|right|250px|2002 MG ZS 120 (hatchback)]]

[[File:2003 MG ZS 180 in Trophy blue.JPG|thumb|right|250px|2003 MG ZS 180 (saloon)]]

[[File:2004 MG ZS 2.5 Front.jpg|thumb|right|250px|2004 MG ZS 180 Saloon (facelift)]]

The '''MG ZS''' is a [[sports sedan|sports]] [[family car]] that was built by [[MG Rover]] 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, which in turn was derived from the [[Honda Domani]].

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 transformationmaking into anthe MG ZS, 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 &mdash;– however, as an MG the opposite was the case. The ZS 180, offering {{convert|175|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} from the 2.5 L V6 engine and acceleration to 60&nbsp;mph in 7.3 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.turbocharged This added to the aural appeal of the ZS, and added to the desirability of the ZS 180engines.<ref>[http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/19862/mg_zs_180.html Evo magazine March 2002] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102150041/http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/19862/mg_zs_180.html |date=2011-01-02 }}</ref>

[[File:2004 MG ZS 2.5 Rear.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Facelift MG ZS 180 (sedan)]]

| {{cvt|102&nbsp;|hp (76&nbsp;|kW) PS|0}} at 6000&nbsp;rpm

| 10.1 sec

| {{cvt|107&nbsp;|hp (80&nbsp;|kW) PS|0}} at 6000&nbsp;rpm

| 9.8 sec

| rowspan="2" | 1.8&nbsp;L [[Rover K-Series engine|K-Series]]

| rowspan="2" | {{cvt|115&nbsp;|hp (86&nbsp;|kW) PS|0}} at 5500&nbsp;rpm

| rowspan="2" | 160&nbsp;N·m (118&nbsp;ft·lbf) at 2750&nbsp;rpm

| 9.0 sec

| {{cvt|175&nbsp;bhp,|hp|kW 177 ps (130&nbsp;kW)PS|0}} at 6500&nbsp;rpm

| 7.3 sec

| rowspan="2" | 2.0&nbsp;L [[Rover L-Seriesseries engine|L-Series]]

| {{cvt|99&nbsp;|hp (74&nbsp;|kW) PS|0}} at 4200&nbsp;rpm

| 10.3 sec

| 9.5 sec

The MG ZS 180 was the flagship car of the ZS range. It was available as a five -door hatch or a four -door saloon. The 180 included a number of alterationschanges over and above the standard models of ZS, as well as incorporating all of the features of the ZS+ models, the ZS 180 was equipped with a lightweight all alloy 2.5 -litre [[Rover KV6 Engine]], with quad cams and twenty four valves.

UpratedThe 180 features uprated front and rear brakes, 282mmwith {{convert|282|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} front discs (up from 262mm{{convert|262|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}) and 260mm{{convert|260|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} rear discs (up from 240mm{{convert|240|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}) as well as ABS and EBD,<ref name=TB0027 >Mg Rover technical bulletin TB0027</ref> lowered sports suspension with uprated springs and dampers, uprated bushes fitted to front upper and rear trailing arms,<ref name=TB0027/> 17"-inch sports alloy wheels with 205/45 r17R17 tyres.<ref name=TB0027/>

Externally, the 180 can be identified with deep front bumper, with front bib spoiler and fog lamps and sculptured side sills. A large rear spoiler could be substituted for a standard size as a no cost option.<ref name=TB0027/>[[File:MG ZS 180 cabin, with optional Trophy blue trim.jpg|thumb|2003 MG ZS 180 cabin, with optional Trophy blue trim]] [[File:MG ZS 180 badge.JPG|thumb|2003 MG ZS 180 (boot lid badges)]] The 180 was facelifted in 2004, along with the rest of the range, and gained a distinctive bodykit inspired by the supercar [[MG_XPower_SV|MG Xpower SV]].

The kit incorporated wheel arch extensions with front wing vents, bumper spats and side skirts. The large 'Extreme' rear spoiler became optional, with a subtle lip boot spoiler fitted as standard. ComplimentingComplementing the new bodykit waswere the new 17"-inch 'eleven spokes' alloy wheels. Both the wheels and bodykit were available as cost options on the rest of the range.

The MG ZS 180's 2.5 -litre (2497 cc) V6 engine producingproduces {{convert|177|PS|kW bhp|0|abbr=on}} &at 6500rpm6,500 withrpm and {{convert|240|Nm|lb.ft|0|abbr=on}} @at 4000rpm.4,000 rpm, Givinggiving a 0 to 60&nbsp;mph time of 7.3sec3 seconds, and a top speed of {{convert|139|mi/h|km/h|0|abbr=on}}, with a combined fuel economy reading of twenty nine29 mpg.<ref>{{cite web|title=MG ZS Saloon 2.5 (180ps) 4d – Facts and Figures|url=http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/facts-and-figures/mg/zs/saloon-2004/28104/|website=Parkers|accessdate=5 October 2014}}</ref>

The ZSMGZS has beenwas raced in the [[British Touring Car Championship]] (BTCC) from 2001 to 2008. The [[West Surrey Racing]] (WSR) team enjoyed 'works' status for several years and initially ran cars, with a two -litre version of the Rover KV6 engine, later switching to four cylinder [[Judd (engine)|JUDD]] engine which was heavy modified K-Series serieswhich derivedhad twoa litrecapacity of [https://juddpower.com/our-engines/gt-touring-car/ 2.0 Litres] (the largest production K series engine was 1.8 litresLitres).

''"Of all the cars transformed by Rover's engineers, this motor is perhaps the most remarkable, as it turned the originally rather dowdy 45 into a fire breathing [[super saloon]]"''<ref>{{cite web|title=MG Rover 45|url=http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-reviews/36794/mg-rover-45|website=autoexpress.co.ukAuto Express|accessdate=1 December 2017}}</ref>

[[Category:HatchbacksCars discontinued in 2005]]

[[Category:Hot Hatchhatches]]