MG ZT XPower 500 (Article Copyright of Auto Express) 18 July 2001

When MG Rover announced that it would build a rear-wheel-drive super saloon based on the 75, few took it seriously. Will the MG ZT XPower 500 prove all the doubters wrong?

There couldn't be a more radical departure from the firm's sedate image - and that's the idea. Rover's upmarket trend is set to continue as MG becomes a firmly performance-orientated marque. And next year you'll be able to buy this car, albeit in de-tuned form.

MG will make two rear-wheel-drive 75s, both using a Ford-sourced 4.6-litre V8. The engine produces 256bhp for the ZT 260, and employs a supercharger to offer 370bhp for the hotter version. The 500bhp development model will test the car's capabilities, before power is wound back to improve driveability.

While the ZT 260 will resemble the ZT 190 featured last week, the prototype hints at the ZT 370. Converting the 75 to rear-wheel drive was easy, claims Chris Millard, MG's director of large car projects. The transmission tunnel was raised by 20mm to accommodate the driveshaft, and the spare tyre was removed to fit in the components.

MG says the XPower 500 also offers an accurate picture of how the hot V8s will drive. If the engine is anything to go by, they'll be worth waiting for. The aluminium alloy motor has a Vortec supercharger, producing 500bhp at 7,000rpm and 543Nm of torque at 5,000rpm.

On the move the noise is pure V8. The car feels raw and exciting, but not as intimidating as we expected. Acceleration is still vicious, though, qualifying MG's claimed figures of 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds and 0-100mph in 8.4 seconds.

Teething problems are to be expected from a car built only a month ago. The beefy Tremec gearbox is missing a third cog, the clutch is heavy and the throttle has no response at the start of its travel. But the AP Racing brakes are some of the best we've ever tried and the uncorrupted steering lets you know exactly what the front wheels are doing. In fact, the whole car handles much better than we expected. With the help of engineering firm Prodrive, the roll bars and suspension have been softened to produce a well behaved chassis that also offers decent ride. All MG needs to work on now is the car's refinement.

Inside, the 75's wood has given way to more appropriate hi-tech materials. The Sparco race seats are likely to be available as an option, but even without them, the driving position is superb. If it matters, the XPower 500 remains spacious and practical - but there's talk of estate versions in the pipeline...

MG Rover's plans for the future are ambitious to say the least - the aim being to transform MG into a purely performance brand. The XPower 500 is an ideal showcase for the company's considerable talents. While next year's production versions will be de-tuned to 370bhp, the basics are firmly in place. Fun to drive and bursting with character, the XPower should give the BMW M5 and the Jaguar XJR a fright. It's too soon to be talking about MG domination, but the early signs are encouraging.

AT A GLANCE

• MG ZT XPower due next year, offering 256bhp or 370bhp.
• Range to be based on XPower 500 development model.
• Prototype does 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds and can reach 190mph.

Back to the top of this page.