The MG ZS was a sports family car built by MG Rover from 2001 to 2005. It was essentially a tuned version of the Rover 45, itself a facelifted Rover 400 derived from the Honda Domani, and its Honda heritage gave it double wishbone front suspension and a fully independent multi-link rear.
MG ZS (2001) at a glance
| Maker | MG Rover, Longbridge |
|---|---|
| Production | 2001–2005 |
| Basis | Rover 45 |
| Bodies | four-door saloon and five-door hatchback |
| Suspension | double wishbone front, multi-link rear |
| ZS 180 engine | 2.5-litre Rover KV6, 177 PS at 6,500 rpm |
| ZS 180 torque | 240 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| 0–60 mph | 7.3 seconds for the ZS 180 |
| Top speed | 139 mph (224 km/h) |
| Facelift | 2004, with a bodykit inspired by the MG XPower SV |
| Racing | BTCC from 2001 to 2008 |
History of the MG ZS (2001)
Built in a hurry
The ZS was created rapidly from the Rover 45 after BMW sold off Rover in April 2000. Development was greatly accelerated because Rover had already built 400 Series prototypes with V6 engines and sporting suspension setups, and MG Rover went on to develop MG versions of all three Rover cars then on sale.
The Rover 45 had no reputation as a driver’s car, but it was the most suitable car in the range for conversion: its Honda heritage provided double wishbone front suspension and a fully independent multi-link rear. As a Rover the 45 was optimised for comfort; as an MG the opposite was true. The ZS 180, with 175 bhp from its 2.5-litre V6 and acceleration to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds, received favourable reviews, with particular praise for its steering, handling and suspension. What set the ZS apart from most rivals was its V6 engine at a time when competitors were turning to turbochargers.
The ZS 180
The ZS 180 was the flagship of the range, available as a five-door hatchback or a four-door saloon. It took all the equipment of the ZS+ models and added a lightweight all-alloy 2.5-litre Rover KV6 with four camshafts and twenty-four valves, producing 177 PS at 6,500 rpm and 240 Nm at 4,000 rpm. The car had uprated front and rear brakes with 282 mm front discs and 260 mm rear discs, ABS and EBD, lowered sports suspension with uprated springs and dampers, uprated bushes and 17-inch alloy wheels with 205/45 R17 tyres.
Externally the 180 could be identified by a deep front bumper with a bib spoiler and fog lamps, sculptured side sills, and a large rear spoiler that could be swapped for a smaller one at no cost. In 2004 it was facelifted with the rest of the range and gained a bodykit inspired by the MG XPower SV, with wheel arch extensions, front wing vents, bumper spats and side skirts, a lip boot spoiler as standard and new 17-inch ‘eleven spokes’ wheels; both the wheels and the bodykit became options on the rest of the range.
Facelift and racing
Because the planned RD/X60 replacement never appeared, the ZS was facelifted within months of launch with the help of the designer Peter Stevens, along with the rest of the MG Rover range. The changes brought a new clear one-piece headlight, new bumpers and a flush tailgate or boot lid with the number plate moved to the rear bumper, plus new wheel designs, colours and a revised interior with climate control. The retro cues adopted when the 400 became the 45 were dropped, and for the first time the Rover 45 and MG ZS looked noticeably different.
The ZS raced in the British Touring Car Championship from 2001 to 2008. West Surrey Racing ran the cars with works status, at first using a two-litre version of the Rover KV6 and later a four-cylinder JUDD engine based on a heavily modified K-Series. Reviewers generally praised the handling and performance of the ZS, particularly the 180, but criticised the interior quality. Production ended in 2005, and an attempt to base a new MG 5 on the facelifted ZS was cancelled, the MG 5 name eventually going to a completely new SAIC model from 2012.
Design and features
- Honda-derived chassis: double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension.
- V6 engine: the 2.5-litre KV6 gave the ZS 180 177 PS and a 139 mph top speed.
- Uprated brakes: 282 mm front and 260 mm rear discs with ABS and EBD on the 180.
- SV-inspired bodykit: fitted as standard to the 180 after the 2004 facelift.
MG ZS (2001) versions
- ZS 180 (2001): 2.5-litre V6, 177 PS, the flagship of the range.
- ZS+ models: the better-equipped versions below the 180.
- Facelifted ZS (2004): new headlights, bumpers and XPower SV-inspired bodykit.
- BTCC cars (2001–2008): West Surrey Racing touring cars with KV6 and JUDD engines.
The ZS shared the MG Rover range with the MG ZR and MG ZT; more cars are in the MG collection.
Video: 2001 MG Rover ZS Review
Video by Men and Motors on YouTube.
Sources
- MG ZS (2001), English Wikipedia: development, ZS 180 specification, facelift, racing
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