MG
Rover's long-awaited V8-engined ZT is in the final stages of testing, as
exclusive spy images in the current issue of evo show. The concept version of
the MG ZT XPower was first shown at the 2001 Frankfurt motor show and was due to
appear in showrooms last summer.
However, according to MG sources, the final production
versions of the car will now go on sale towards the end of this year. Two
versions are planned, in both saloon and estate guises: the MG ZT 260 and the
supercharged MG ZT 385. Early indications are that the limited-production ZT 385
will cost less than £40,000. Judging by the boot badges, the car will be called
ZTR.
As can been seen from the car's aggressive looks, the
standard-issue front-wheel-drive ZT has undergone major re-engineering. In place
of the transversely-mounted front-drive four- and six-cylinder drivetrains comes
a Ford-sourced V8, mounted longitudinally and driving the rear wheels. The front
suspension has been redesigned, but is still similar in layout. It sits on a
tubular subframe and gets Bilstein dampers and uprated springs and anti-roll
bars. Four-pot callipers and 330mm ventilated discs are fitted to the front. It
has long been rumoured that the 75/ZT floor and bulkhead design was related to
that of the outgoing BMW 5-series. If that was the case, it would explain how MG
Rover engineers were able to find space for a propshaft and differential housing
under the car.
At the back, the 75/ZT already had a BMW-derived Z-axle which
helped the conversion to rear-drive. The rear suspension now sits on a tubular
carrier, which gets three transverse and one substantial longitudinal suspension
link arms. Drive to the wheels is through a Hydratrak limited-slip differential.
Rear braking should come via 306mm discs and two-pot callipers.
As can be seen here, the ZTR's front track has been widened by
around 50mm and the rear by 100mm. evo has seen the final look of the ZTR and
the butch body- kit and wide track is a convincing and harmonious makeover, a
job completed by the company's design boss Peter Stevens.
The range-topping ZTR 385 is powered by a supercharged version
of the 4.6-litre Ford V8, which delivers 380bhp (385PS) and 385lb ft at 3500rpm.
It drives a six-speed manual box, which is expected to run long-striding
overdrive gears in 5th and 6th. The car rolls on 18in wheels, 8.5in wide at the
front and 9.5in wide at the back. MG's early performance expectations are very
bullish. The 1575kg saloon should reach 175mph, hit 60mph in under 5sec and
100mph in less than 11sec. Also under development is a non-supercharged version
called the ZTR 260, with around 255bhp.
Despite its current sticky sales situation, MG Rover says it
will be making a big splash this autumn. As well as the expected unveiling of
the production versions of the rear-drive ZT, the company will also be unveiling
the showroom-spec MG SV super-coupe.
World
exclusive pictures of outrageous British sports cars go, things don't get much
more impressive than this.
These are MG Rover's V8 Mustang-engined ZT cars - set to be
the new flagships for the range - and they're pictured during preparations to
transfer them to the US for hot weather testing.
Due to be launched in spring next year, at least four editions
will be available. Although the final look has yet to be approved, buyers can
expect xenon headlamps, discreet spoilers and metal
heatshields around the pair of double exhaust pipes,
plus
huge 18-inch wheels and flared wheelarches. Bonnet mounted cooling vents, as
seen on the XPower 500 concept, may also make an appearance on the production
cars, but are not fitted to these prototypes.
Inside, the main part of the dashboard will be finished in
body-coloured paint, to match the carpets and door trims. Leather seats with
colour-coded inserts complete the package. MG's new flagship will also get the
black-on-white dials from the standard ZT, although the firm will have to add
extra numbers at the far end to cope with the car's higher top speed!
Both machines will be rear-wheel drive - a first for any
production vehicle based on the Rover 75 - and will offer a Ford Mustang-sourced
4.6-litre V8 complete with a five-speed manual gearbox. Cars will be made at the
Longbridge plant in Birmingham, al-though because of their specialist na-ture
it's believed they'll be hand-built, away from the main production line.
The entry-level version, illustrated in our pictures by the
black estate, is expected to cost around £30,000 and deliver 260bhp. Flagship
machines, like the saloon pictured, will offer upwards of 385bhp and cost around
£40,000. Aimed at the 400bhp BMW M5 and 450bhp Audi RS6, the MGs will blend
value for money with high performance. The 385bhp car is said to be capable of
sprinting from 0-60mph in under five seconds, and have a top speed of 170mph. A
number of aerodynamic changes have been made, which is why the saloon seen here
is wearing a prototype nose aimed at improving high-speed cooling.
Handling should be first class, thanks to the input of race
specialist Prodrive. At the front, the newcomer gets a suspension similar to the
ZT190. Thicker springs and dampers support the extra weight of the engine, but
it still promises bags of grip. A multi-link set-up will support the new rear
axle, which gets a limited slip differential, and 330mm ventilated brake discs
will be fitted all round. Clearly both cars will be worthy of the classic MG
badge - we can't wait to drive them! By Dan Strong
I talked to Longbridge yesterday who
confirmed an Autumn build for the ZT385. Delivery scheduled for later in the
year, with the ZT260 a month earlier. Specifics will be published later.
Since it was reveiled at Frankfurt
last year, we've been putting the MG ZT XPower through a series of
uncompromising and rigorour tests.
It's been submitted to the mind-numbing cold of Scandinavian winter and the
blistering heat of an Australian summer. Then came the ultimate challenge for
its supercharged 4.6litre, V8 which can produce 385Ps - Nuburgring, Europe's
fastest racetrack.
Its 143 tortuous turns and demanding high-speed straights made it the perfect
environment to evaluate the performance and handling credentials of the MG ZT
XPower.
Here it bulleted to 0-60 in less than 5 seconds; topped 100mph in under 10 and
scorched to an awesome top speed of 175mph. And the "Ring" also represented the
toughest trial yet for the car's front-engined, rear-wheel drive configuration
and it's taught chassis, which together guarantee authentic, high performance
sports car handling.
The MG ZT XPower passed all its tests with flying colours. But MG's gifted
engineer Rod Oldaker (voted "Engineer of the Year 2002" by Autocar) is a hard
man to satisfy. Now he and MG design director, peter Stevens, along with their
exceptional team, are taking the MG ZT XPower to the USA for further
environmental tests and styling refinements.
It won't be long now before you can experience the sheer power of its advanaced
technology on the road that was previously confined to the racetrack. The MG ZT
XPower is due to be launched in Autumn 2002.
Thankyou for your interest in the MG ZT XPower, a car that we believe is set to
take the sports saloon sector by storm.
Since it was reveiled at Frankfurt last year, we've been putting the MG ZT
XPower through a series of uncompromising and rigorour tests.
It's been submitted to the mind-numbing cold of Scandinavian winter and the
blistering heat of an Australian summer. Then came the ultimate challenge for
its supercharged 4.6litre, V8 which can produce 385Ps - Nuburgring, Europe's
fastest racetrack.
Its 143 tortuous turns and demanding high-speed straights made it the perfect
environment to evaluate the performance and handling credentials of the MG ZT
XPower.
Here it bulleted to 0-60 in less than 5 seconds; topped 100mph in under 10 and
scorched to an awesome top speed of 175mph. And the "Ring" also represented the
toughest trial yet for the car's front-engined, rear-wheel drive configuration
and it's taught chassis, which together guarantee authentic, high performance
sports car handling.
The MG ZT XPower passed all its tests with flying colours. But MG's gifted
engineer Rod Oldaker (voted "Engineer of the Year 2002" by Autocar) is a hard
man to satisfy. Now he and MG design director, peter Stevens, along with their
exceptional team, are taking the MG ZT XPower to the USA for further
environmental tests and styling refinements.
It won't be long now before you can experience the sheer power of its advanaced
technology on the road that was previously confined to the racetrack. The MG ZT
XPower is due to be launched in Autumn 2002.
We'll be writing to you again with progress reports on the MG ZT XPower in the
near future.
It's been a long time coming, but MG Rover's moment
of truth has finally arrived. The company's reputation
hangs on the future of this model, and Auto Express has been given exclusive
access to judge the newcomer's chance of success.
On the road for the first time, the MG Rover ZT385 is going to be put through
its paces at a secret test track in Oxfordshire. Officially revealed at the
Frankfurt Motor Show in September, this is the first time the car has hit the
open road. And as we look on, the ignition key turns, sending the 380bhp V8
engine shuddering into life.
Due to go on sale early next year, the ZT385 is a road-going development of the ZT XPower 500 Extreme. Set to rival the likes of BMW's M3 and the Audi RS4, MG's
super saloon is expected to cost under £40,000 – making it one of the most
affordable cars in its class, not to mention one of the quickest. Capable of
sprinting from 0-60mph in less than five seconds, it will hit a top speed of
175mph. But all go and no show is no way to reach the top in the competitive
supercar market, something that MG's engineers clearly understand.
Although detailing of this ZT has been toned down from that of the wild XPower
500 concept, it is beautifully finished, and the metallic blue paintwork has an
unusual green tinge that catches and intensifies the winter sunlight. Massive
18-inch wheels fill the gently flared arches, and at the rear there's a discreet
spoiler mounted on the boot. Xenon headlamps and metal heat shields around the
twin exhaust pipes complete the package. When you grab the chrome door handles,
the ZT instantly exudes a quality that easily matches its German rivals.
Slide into the supportive leather sports seats and you are surrounded by an
interior that has a bespoke feel, and manages to blend style with purpose. Thick
seat bolsters ensure you won't be sliding anywhere when the car is cornered
hard. Although much of the cabin shares its look with that of the recently
launched V6-engined MG ZT, there are a few key differences. First, and most
spectacular, is the recalibration of the speedometer, which now registers up to
190mph.
Stare down the line of the bonnet and you'll just be able to make out the tops
of two vents, which are designed to help extract heat from the tightly packed
engine bay. On this cold morning, it doesn't take long for the air to start
shimmering above them, increasing your respect of the MG's potential. With the
4.6-litre V8 engine powering the rear wheels, the ZT is clearly not a car for
the unwary. However, the speed at which the MG changes direction – and the
balance it seems to display through corners – suggests it will satisfy even the
most demanding drivers.
A glance at the suspension specification reveals why. Honed with the help of
motorsport expert Prodrive, the front strut suspension uses a similar layout to
the acclaimed ZT190 Saloon and Estate. Based on a robust sub-frame, the Bilstein
dampers, uprated springs and anti-roll bars ensure excellent stability, while
large alloy four-pot brakes that harness the 330mm ventilated discs are designed
to give awesome stopping power. The rear multi-link suspension set-up is equally
impressive, and includes a Hydratrak limited-slip differential. Front and rear
suspension are tuned to provide precise feel for the driver.
Even after our short time with the car, it is obvious that the ZT has the
potential to thrill. Its road presence is matched by performance, but this has
not been achieved by sacrificing quality. The ZT385 is a car worthy of the
famous octagonal MG badge. Clearly the magic that made the company one of the
world's most influential sports car builders is back.
Editors
Comments (10 December 2001):
A great report on a car that does
not yet exist! The 385 "concept is actually the 500 repainted and trimmed for
the Frankfurt Show. It should also be noted that the car will not be available
until the fourth quarter on 2002 at the earliest. The ZT260 should be on sale by
the Summer however.
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