MG ZT: the sporting Rover 75

The MG ZT was produced by MG Rover from 2001 to 2005 in saloon and estate forms, the latter designated ZT-T. Its styling followed the Rover 75 on which it was based, but changes to the wheels, tyres and suspension gave it a far sportier ride, and production ended in April 2005 amid the financial turmoil at MG Rover.

MG ZT at a glance

History of the MG ZT

From the Rover 75

In 2001, three years after the launch of the Rover 75 and less than a year after MG Rover was demerged from BMW, the MG ZT and ZT-T were launched. During development the saloon and estate were codenamed X10 and X11. The basic shape stayed that of the Rover 75, but the front bumper gained an integrated grille, the chromed waistline was colour coded, a new bootlid plinth was fitted and the wheels and tyres changed.

Inside there were revised seats and dashboard treatment with new instrument faces, while the engineering changes ran from upgraded suspension and brakes to revised engine tuning for the petrol models. Development was headed by Rob Oldaker, the product development director, with styling by Peter Stevens, previously responsible for the McLaren F1 and the Lotus Esprit X180.

Models and engines

The ZT had a single trim level, though the standard car could be ordered with a Plus pack. Models were named after their power output, so a 160 PS V6 was a ZT 160 and a 190 PS V6 with the Plus pack a ZT 190+, and the more powerful versions could be bought as standard specification, unlike in the rest of the MG range.

The first models were both V6 cars, the 160 PS using a software-detuned version of the 177 PS unit from the Rover 75 and the 190 PS using a unique KV6 with different camshafts and changes to the air intake and throttle body. In January 2002 came the 180 Auto with a 177 PS KV6 and 190 cam timing, and around August 2002 the diesels arrived with a 116 PS M47R unit, upgradable by XPower software to 131 PS. In July 2003 the ZT 120 joined with the 1.8-litre K16 engine, the 160 switched to a turbocharged 1.8, and in October 2003 the rear-wheel-drive V8 ZT 260 was launched in both body styles with Ford’s Modular V8.

Facelift and records

In the first months of 2004 MG Rover facelifted the ZT and ZT-T to a less retro look, most visibly replacing the twin headlamps with a single clear unit. In September 2003 a ZT-T had become the world’s fastest non-production estate car, reaching 225.609 mph at the Bonneville Speed Week Nationals with an 800-plus bhp Roush V8 and other heavy modifications.

MG Sport & Racing also built concepts around the V8 ZT: the XPower 385 with a 385 PS Ford Modular V8, developed with Prodrive but never produced, and the XPower ZT 500 with a 500 PS supercharged 4.6-litre V8, which was saved by the MG Owners Club and rebuilt as VIN 001. The last competition car built by MG Sports and Racing was a racing version of the ZT 260, highly modified and lightened.

Design and features

• Rover 75 base: the same body with a sportier chassis, wheels and tyres.
• Named by power: ZT 160, 190 and 190+ referred to the engine output.
• V8 ZT 260: a rear-wheel-drive version with Ford’s Modular V8, in saloon and estate form.
• Record-breaking estate: a modified ZT-T reached 225.609 mph at Bonneville in 2003.

MG ZT versions

• ZT 160 (2001): detuned 177 PS KV6.
• ZT 190 (2001): unique KV6 with different camshafts and intake.
• ZT 180 Auto (2002): automatic with 190 cam timing.
• ZT diesel (2002): 116 PS M47R, upgradable to 131 PS.
• ZT 120 and turbo 160 (2003): 1.8-litre K16 engines.
• ZT 260 (2003): rear-wheel-drive V8 in saloon and ZT-T estate form.

The ZT was the largest of the MG Rover sports range alongside the MG ZR and MG ZS; more cars are in the MG collection.

Video: MG ZT 190 MOTORVISION

Video by maniacsman1985 on YouTube.

Sources

• MG ZT, English Wikipedia: development, models, engines, land speed record