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MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - ' car' mags hot hatch of year

both the little Z's got good reviews in "car" magazines hot hatch of the year.
the ZR got whittled down to the final 2 only to have its crown snatched away by the mini cooper because its more "dynamic".
The ZS 180 did well in the super hatch group being discribed as the "surprise of the day" and a "front-wheel-drive imprezza turbo" and also said "a wonderfully balanced car"
the car tested was a 5 door with the alternative rear spoiler in anthracite,it looks very classy in this colour.
kev
kevin neal

I read the same and wonder what the result would have been with the 4 door, as this has always been a more rigid body. I also note that they incorrectly priced the hatch by over pricing by £700. Otherwise the old prejudices were there in the background, which probably made the dynamics more of a surprise to them.

Rog
Roger Parker


After reading the article in Car, the comments on the handling were fairly positive, they commented on not particularly liking the shift and pedals but seemed to be pretty happy with the handling. Their main critisism was at the body styling. With reference to Roger's comments, I think if they tested the 4 door, it would have probably been out of place in a "Hot Hatch of the year" round up ;-) but it's an interesting point; I have heard other comments about the saloon body being more rigid, although I'm not sure to what extent. The saloon appears to be about 20cm longer, but otherwise the chassis is the same?

Richard

Richard

No idea what the politics were, but the ZR160 came very close to pulling off a coup. Oddly, refinement (in a hot hatch? really, is this important?) won through for the Mini- the slowest car present.

The ZS180 I think did well considering the baggage it was lumbered with. Let's face it, the testing team were anything but impressed with Peter Steven's styling job. IMO this is alightly unfair given the circumstances, but the market is not a forgiving place that makes no such allowances for the manufacturer's situation, so perhaps the opinion has a great deal of validity.

To those with anthracite ZS's- great choice!!! :o)

Overall, an interesting test that I enjoyed reading. I love the cars, but finding that the ZR very nearly walked off with the small hot hatch crown was nonetheless surprising. Overall, nice one MG-R!
Rob Bell

If you are talking about performance cars there is only one magazine worth reading and it isn't Car. Its Evo and their reviews of the Z Cars were not so glowing.
Andrew Jones

page 46 evo magazine........................." Over a challenging stretch of black top the ZS's combination of keen steering, fine body control, stonking acceleration and well-judged damping would surprise a few EVO favourites. Turn-in is incisive and confidence inspiring, fast corners reveal a neutral balance, and mid corner bumps fail to find holes in the ZS180's thoroughly well-sorted chassis."

if evo say that then it must be good :o)
kevin neal

Nice one, Kev.
And just watch EVO cream themselves when the XT385 hits the streets next year.
Dave

This thread was discussed between 14/09/2001 and 17/09/2001

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