MG ZT
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| Manufacturer | MG Rover |
|---|---|
| Production | 2001—2005 27149 made |
| Predecessor | Rover 620ti |
| Successor | MG 7 |
| Class | Executive car |
| Body style | 4-door saloon 5-door estate |
| Layout | FF layout, FR layout (260+) |
| Engine |
2.0 L BMW M47 Diesel |
| Related | Rover 75 |
The MG ZT is a high-performance MG-branded version of the Rover 75 executive car, produced by MG Rover at their Longbridge plant in Birmingham from 2001 to 2005. An estate version, the MG ZT-T, was also available. Styling is similar to the 75, although uprated springs and chassis modifications make for a far firmer ride. Production of the cars ceased in 2005 amidst financial turmoil at MG Rover.
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[edit] History
In 2001, three years after the launch of the Rover 75 and less than a year after the de-merger of MG Rover from BMW, the MG ZT and MG ZT-T were launched. During the cars' development, the models were codenamed X10 and X11 for the saloon and estate versions respectively. The bodyshell and chassis of the car was almost identical to the Rover 75, but with more aggressive grille, sportier styling, stiffer suspension and re-tuned engines. Peter Stevens, designer of the McLaren F1, took the lead role in the cars' design.
In 2003, the 260 version of the car was launched (codenamed X12 and X13 for the saloon and estate versions respectively), utilising a 4.6 litre V8 from the Ford Mustang range. The model was converted from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive and was largely engineered by motorsport and engineering company Prodrive before being completed by MG Rover. The 4.6 version is regarded as a true Q-car. Apart from the badges, the only visual difference externally between the 260 and other ZTs is the quad exhausts. Because the power was not as high as it could have been many companys made power upgrades for it,the most powerful by a company in Scotland with a Kenne Bell Supercharger producing 400bhp, with a top speed of 180mph derestricted. The last competition car built by MG Sports and Racing was a racing version of the V8 MG ZT260. This car was highly modified and lightened it had more power than the standard V8 and a lightweight racing bodykit. The car is now owned by an Australian MG Enthusiast who races it competitively. It is painted dark grey in colour.
Before the ZT 260 was launched, MG created a special concept car: The MG XPower ZT 500. This car was intended to show off what MG can do with the ZT's chassis and was never intended for mass production. The XPower ZT is fitted with a 500bhp supercharged version of the 4.6 litre V8 fitted to the final production car and has a more aggressive bodykit with larger spoiler. The car was saved by the MG owners club and rebuilt using their extensive facilities and expertese. The car was allocated VIN no 001.
Also in 2003, the MG ZT-T became the World's Fastest (non-production) Estate car with a top speed of 225.609 mph (360.9 km/h). It achieved this at 55th annual Bonneville Speed Week Nationals, on the Salt Flats in Utah, USA. This car used an 800+bhp Roush Supercharged V8 engine with other heavy modifications.
During early 2004, MG facelifted the design of the ZT and ZT-T to a less retro look at the same time as the rest of the MG Rover range.
Nanjing Automobile of China purchased MG Rover in July 2005, three months after the company went bankrupt. Production of the MG ZT effectively resumed in early 2007 in the form of the MG 7.[1]
The cars are still actively supported by an owners club[2] and an owners group specifically for the V8 model.[3]
[edit] Flexible electronics design
The entire in-car entertainment system (Radio Function, Navigation System, Television and Telecommunications systems) is based on a very flexible automotive computer system from BMW.[citation needed]}}[4] As a result the MG ZT can be easily upgraded with the newest BMW technologies including BMW's Bluetooth System, the DVD based Navigation system, and Widescreen displays as well as BMW's CD changers that play MP3s[5]
[edit] Engines
[edit] Petrol
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | 0-60 mph 0–97 km/h |
Top speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 | I4 | 1796 cc | 120 PS (88 kW; 120 hp) @5500 rpm | 160 N·m (120 lb·ft) @4000 rpm | 10.9s | 121 mph (195 km/h) |
| 160 | Turbo I4 | 1796 cc | 160 PS (120 kW; 160 hp) @5500 rpm | 215 N·m (159 lb·ft) @2100 rpm | 8.5s | 132 mph (212 km/h) |
| 160 | V6 | 2497 cc | 160 PS (120 kW; 160 hp) @6250 rpm | 230 N·m (170 lb·ft) @4000 rpm | 8.8s | 131 mph (211 km/h) |
| 180 Sports Auto | V6 | 2497 cc | 177 PS (130 kW; 175 hp) @6500 rpm | 240 N·m (180 lb·ft) @4000 rpm | 8.9s | 134 mph (216 km/h) |
| 190 | V6 | 2497 cc | 190 PS (140 kW; 190 hp) @6500 rpm | 245 N·m (181 lb·ft) @4000 rpm | 7.7s | 140 mph (230 km/h) |
| 260 | V8 | 4601 cc | 260 PS (190 kW; 260 hp) @5000 rpm | 410 N·m (300 lb·ft) @4000 rpm | 6.2s | 155 mph (249 km/h) |
[edit] Diesel
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | 0-60 mph 0–97 km/h |
Top speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CDTi | I4 | 1951 cc | 116 PS (85 kW; 114 hp) @4000 rpm | 260 N·m (190 lb·ft) @2000 rpm | 11.0s | 120 mph (190 km/h) |
| 135 CDTi | I4 | 1951 cc | 131 PS (96 kW; 129 hp) @3500 rpm | 300 N·m (220 lb·ft) @1900 rpm | 10.3s | 120 mph (190 km/h) |
[edit] References
- ^ Chinese plant rolls out first MG - BBC News. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
- ^ "Rover 75 & MG ZT Owners Club". The75andztclub.co.uk. http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
- ^ "The Two-Sixties". http://www9.mgcars.org.uk/mgoc260/f0rum/. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
- ^ "BMW Bus System" (PDF). http://www.e38.org/bussystem.pdf. Retrieved 2010-10-03.
- ^ "Bimmernav". Bimmernav. http://www.bimmernav.com/. Retrieved 2010-10-03.
[edit] External links
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