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Have two little letters ever stirred up so many emotions? Certainly not in the automotive world, where the famous MG badge has become synonymous with pedigree, passion and performance. What's more, now under inspired new ownership and being restored to its former pride, MG is recreating the legend not only with a wide range of sporty road cars, but also with its return to motorsport, following an emotional return to Le Mans last June with a purpose-built sports prototype.
With its fine handling double wishbone chassis, the ZS saloon was born to be wild and it didn't take a rocket-scientist to understand its potential as a front-runner in the resurgent British Touring Car Championship. To put the show on the track, MG employed specialist team West Surrey Racing to mastermind an attack on the BTCC crown.
To coincide with the arrival of the new range of MG road burners, the stunning ZS speedster hit the tracks last September and, as predicted, made an immediate impact in the capable hands of drivers Warren Hughes and Anthony Reid. Before the racy ZSs arrived, Vauxhall seemed on target to win all 26 rounds of the 2001 championship. However, MG had other ideas and Reid maximised the ZS's fine handling characteristics in tricky conditions at Brands Hatch to score a milestone victory.
MG ZS EX260 Touring Car
The full technical specifications
Engine: KV6, naturally aspirated 24-valve V6 with fuel injection
Capacity/Power: 2.0-litre, 1,997cc/270bhp at regulated 8500rpm limit
Transmission: Six-speed gearbox with sequential actuation
Drive: Via the front axle
Clutch: Triple-plate carbon
Chassis: Fully seam-welded bodyshell with integrated safety cage
Suspension (front): Double wishbones plus anti-roll bar
Suspension (rear): Lower wishbones with anti-roll bar
Brakes (front): Ventilated discs with six-piston calipers
Brakes (rear): Solid discs with twin-piston calipers
Wheels: Aluminium alloy 17" diameter
Tyres: BF Goodrich racing 'slick' and treaded 'wet' control tyres
Steering: Rack and pinion
Weight: 1,150kg (inc driver)
Fuel tank: 60 litres
Top speed: 150+mph
0-60mph: 4.3 seconds
Value: £125,000
The name MG is steeped in racing history with some of Britain’s greatest motorsport moments featuring cars bearing the famous octagon badge.
Now, in 2002, there are two MGs which carry on the tradition: enter the awesome new MG Lola EX257, which will take the starting grid at Le Mans this year, and the MG ZS, which is competing in the British Touring Car Championship.
To celebrate the arrival of these sensational racing cars, Auto Express has teamed up with MG to give two pairs of winners a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience what it’s like at the pinnacle of motorsport. Simply enter our fantastic competition and you could be looking forward to a drive you’ll never forget...
THE PRIZES...
Our winners will enjoy a track day at the thrilling Thruxton circuit in Hampshire to include driving unique versions of MG’s Le Mans race car (bottom image on right) and the MG ZS. After a full safety briefing, you’ll take to the track in an MG ZS 180 before enjoying a sensational drive of 18 laps in a 3.0-litre V6 Le Mans car, which offers a storming 0-60mph time of 3.8 seconds. But that’s not all! You’ll also receive two pairs of VIP tickets, with full hospitality as guests of MG, to watch rounds of the British Touring Car Championship at either Brands Hatch on 26 August or Donington on 22 September. We also have 10 runners-up prizes of great XPOWER baseball caps
