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MG Rover Group has today
(September 23) launched the V8 powered MG ZT 260 V8. The rear-wheel drive
vehicle, available in ZT saloon and ZT-T estate car, powered by a 260bhp
4.6-litre V8 engine and with an awesome 410Nm of torque to deliver class-leading
acceleration, is now available for customer order in the UK. With an
on-the-road price starting at £27,995, the ZT 260 offers an unbeatable
combination of price and performance.
Rob
Oldaker, MG Rover Group’s Product Development Director, commented: “The
MG ZT 260 V8 demonstrates our commitment to deliver cars of true pedigree and
character. This is a truly rewarding car to drive. Our choice of a big,
torquey engine has been vindicated as this is a
deceptively quick and efficient cross-country car. The more you drive it, the
more you appreciate its unique ‘muscle car’ character that flies in the face of
our competitors’ trend towards buzzy high-revving
engines.
“Its introduction means MG now
has the broadest range in its 80-year history. The new V8 heralds the return of
the practical British muscle car, and as an MG it’s obviously great value too.”
Overview
The ZT 260 is a fully
engineered evolution of the front-wheel drive ZT. Clever installation
techniques have permitted the larger capacity engine and rear-wheel drive
power-train to be incorporated within the robust bodyshell,
without major visual changes. Below the skin the platform is largely new with
significant changes to many functional vehicle systems to accommodate the
revised drive-line layout, to produce a car of great driving character.
Recently a development ZT-T V8
was taken to the Salt Flats at Bonneville, Utah where the MG achieved a maximum
speed of 225mph from a specially tuned V8 engine variant.
Design and Development
The development engineers were
briefed to deliver the ultimate antidote to an anodyne world. The challenges
involved in transforming the drive platform and packaging a large capacity V8
engine into the existing front-wheel drive vehicle should not be
underestimated. Advanced computer techniques were used to package the new
hardware without sacrificing the strengths of the established ZT platform.
Sophisticated modelling techniques were used to refine the kinematics of the
completely new multi-link rear axle configuration and to ensure that despite the
revised engine installation, the car continues to meet the latest standards for
occupant protection in all its markets.
Given the magnitude of the
changes, it is no surprise that ZT has been extensively tested, seeing action in
climates ranging from the bitterly harsh conditions of the Swedish winter
through to the burning heat of high speed testing in Arizona and Australia.
Body Structure
Externally there is little clue
to the extent of body structure changes necessary to accommodate the new
rear-wheel drive powerunit, indeed ZT 260 shares the
same acclaimed style of the front-wheel drive ZTs.
Extensive changes have been made to the underfloor,
with new designs for the front and rear floor, as well as an enlarged
transmission tunnel to accommodate the in-line gearbox. A new manufacturing
facility has been commissioned alongside the existing sophisticated ZT
manufacturing line to ensure these changes to the body are delivered to
consistently high quality standards.
Powertrain
The ZT 260 utilises Ford’s
proven 4.6-litre V8 engine, widely used in North America to power the iconic
Ford Mustang. Modifications have been made to the
powertrain to assist in packaging the engine while
MG’s engineers have also developed new intake, exhaust and emissions
control systems to ensure the vehicle complies with stringent European noise
legislation with no loss of power or torque. A new electronic engine
calibration helps ensure the car exceeds current European emissions legislation.
The exhaust system, twinned for
most of the length of the car, is distinguished by new quad-tailpipes. Outside
the system produces a classic V8 burble, while inside the cabin remains quiet
until aroused by the throttle when it resounds to the sporting note of a true
thoroughbred.
ZT 260 features
Tremec’s TR3650 five-speed manual gearbox,
manufactured in North America. The unit has been extensively modified to meet
MG’s needs and features unique gearing to suit the
demands of European driving. MG’s engineers have
also developed an all-new gear selection system and bespoke hydraulic clutch
actuation to ensure precise and positive gear changes.
The rear axle features Dana’s
Hydratrak® limited slip differential system, which
utilises vane-pump principles to ensure continuous and seamless torque
transmission to both rear wheels in the event of wheel speed differential.
Steering and Suspension
The ZT 260’s steering and
suspension systems have evolved radically to match the performance of the V8
power unit. Developed by driving enthusiasts for enthusiasts, the team focused
their efforts on honing the car’s classic rear-drive handling to provide
seamless, fluid and adjustable attitude control under the widest range of
conditions. The result is a car that blends day-to-day ease of use with the
driver-rewards of a true thoroughbred.
Power steering, driven by a
higher capacity pump, is now via a new forward mounted rack layout providing
excellent feel and driver feedback to the leather-bound wheel.
The geometry of the
ZT's MacPherson strut
front suspension has been tuned to the requirements of the new chassis
platform. A new design of upright is matched to Eibach
linear rate springs and a new, larger diameter anti-roll bar. Wheel response is
controlled by Bilstein monotube
struts, which combine a large piston area for fine tuning resolution with very
high bending stiffness for improved camber control. The design employs a
significantly revised subframe, which provides a
stable operating platform for the chassis while also acting as a key
loadpath in the event of a major impact.
A new multi-link rear
suspension has been developed specifically for the ZT 260 V8. A new six-mount
subframe houses the Hyrdratrak®
differential, while each wheel is located by three lateral links (two steel and
one light-alloy) and a light alloy trailing arm. Compound rate springs, also
sourced from race specialist Eibach, work in
conjunction with Bilstein
monotube dampers to provide excellent wheel control. Roll behaviour is
controlled by a new anti-roll bar.
Both ZT 260 models feature 18”
alloy wheels; the attractive ‘Straights’ design is specified on the ZT 260 with
a new ‘Apex’ 10-blade design on the ZT 260 SE. Contisport
225/45 ZR18 tyres balance excellent lateral stability with crisp, precise steer
response.
Braking
ZT 260 has a new H-split
braking system providing excellent stopping power. At the front, proven large
capacity 325mm ventilated discs and sliding-pin callipers are specified. At the
rear a new AP-Racing sourced brake system is specified with 332mm ventilated
discs and opposed piston alloy callipers.
Interior environment
A new HEVAC (Heating,
Ventilation and Air conditioning) unit is fitted to the ZT 260. The new unit is
a water-blend design featuring a dedicated electronic control unit to drive
servo-motor valves to regulate the water flow around the heating circuit. This
system has been refined to offer similar levels of response and control to the
existing ZT’s acclaimed air-blending system. All
models feature ATC (Automatic Temperature Control), using the familiar
user-friendly interface of other ZT models.
A discreet V8 badge in the
centre of the fascia differentiates the interior of the car, while other aspects
of the cabin environment are broadly similar to the existing ZT models.
A new moulding below the boot
floor accommodates the relocated battery and the CD
autochanger (standard on the ZT 260 SE). Major controls, which include
steering, clutch and gear selection have all been
refined to suit the ZT 260 V8’s more muscular character.
Black leather trim, highline
satellite navigation that includes a Teletext
equipped TV tuner and park distance sensors are but a few of the features that
distinguish the SE.
ZT 260
V8 – Product specification
ATC air conditioning
Electric front windows and
heated door mirrors
Front fog lamps
Leather steering wheel and gear
knob
ABS
Driver, passenger and side
(thorax) airbags
18” ‘Straights’ multi-spoke
alloys with 225/45 ZR18 tyres
CD tuner
Lip spoiler (on ZT saloon)
Thatcham
Category 1* approved alarm immobiliser system
ZT 260
SE models include
the following additional features:
18” ‘Apex’
10-blade alloy wheels
A choice of ‘lip’ or ‘wing’
boot lid spoiler (on ZT saloon)
Moveable load restraint net
cassette system (on ZT-T estate)
Xenon lights
CD
autochanger
Trip computer
Electro chromatic self-dimming
rear view mirror
Rain sensor
Electric front seats
Black leather seat trim
Parking distance control
Electric sunroof
*Subject to final approval
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