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MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - New ZT spec

Having had my ZT delayed by just over a week (see thread on Car Company board) I picked up a new brochure that has come out just for the ZT and ZTT (whilst collecting the Mondeo loanm car). The brochure is a vast improvement on the previous combined one and does the car full credit.

One interesting point to note is that ZT's ordered henceforth will feature the 75 style chrome waist lines as standard and the colour coded items will be a no cost option. I had the dealer hastily ring teh factory to ensure that mine were solar red to match the car. Apparently bloke at Longbridge asked dealer what the problem was and surely customer wouldn;t reject car if fitted with chrome strips. Knowing me only too well he pointed out that I would be the 1st person to reject such a car!

Marcus
Marcus

I can't see the point of offering the chrome waist rails on the ZT. Whilst they really suit the R75, they wouldn't look "right" on the virtually de-chromed ZT. Surely most owners would specify colour coded rails as a no cost option. Are you aware of any other spec. changes to the ZT & ZT/T. I've just recieved the new brochure, and I agree - much better than the old one.
I'm waiting for my dealer to receive delivery of a ZT/T+ CDTi, and ZT/T 190+ demonstrators later this month for me to test drive. Incidently - what stereo system does your ZT+ have. According to the brochure standard fit is the very fiddlely looking Kenwood. My R75 has the Alpine unit which seems to be a unique fit to the R75 dash, and looks a better specced unit.


Adrian
Adrian

I actually think the ZT would look quite nice with a chrome waistline, and dare i say it, chrome wing mirrors!

Gareth
Gareth Kidman

Do I detect a blurring of the distinctions between R75 and ZT?

1) ZT with softer suspension
2) R75 and ZT havving same diesel engine power upgrades
3) ZT spawning chrome

Are MGR working ever so slowly towards the demise of the Rover brand?

Paul

Paul

Paul,

I agree with your thoughts the distinction been blurred somewhat. I believe that Australian spec ZTs have always had teh chrome waistline. Only reason I believe this I saw a pic of a solar red beast on an Oz web site. IMHO it did not do the car justice and seems a bizarre move. Surely chrome should be the NCO. Perhaps this is setting the scene for the 260. I understand that the 260 will look just like current ZT, and flared wheel et al will be reserved for it's 360 big brother. Just a thought.

Gareth, chrome mirrors may look ok, espec. seen as they'll match teh door handles. Would be interested in seeing some pics.

Adrian,

not aware of any other changes. I went for the MGOC employee discount scheme so totally specced it up. Final spec will be:

solar re zt190+
high line sat nav/tv/audio system
driver intelligence pack
xenons
rear sunblinds
leather alcantara (pissed off as new brochure offers full leather which I would have preferred but thought was previously only available as part of more costly monogramme prog.)
uprated alarm

BR

Marcus

marcus

Ooh. Dunno. I am a big fan of chrome - I have it all over my F. However, I really think that the removal of chrome was a crucial part of the restyling of the Z's.
David Bainbridge

Having seen the place on the production line where they sort out all the little pieces that make up that trim, I can see exactly why they would like to consider going for one 'colour' (i.e. chrome) instead of zillions - made even more complex by the 'Monogram' (US spelling) programme (UK programme). If they make the default chrome (like the R75) with a NCO of colour, they hope to simplify (and speed up) production and save costs.
Ann MG Writer who will remain anonymous

Hi Folks,

I'm being funny but i think chrome is old fashioned and shouldn't be
on a modern sports car range. And the MG Z range are sports car. Its
hard enough trying to differencient between the 25.45,78 and Z cars
without starting softening suspension and putting chrome bits on.
Today is all about brand. Some how MG still means something. To me it
means affordable british sports cars. As an MG owner I am proud of
what RMG have done with the Z range, but they musn't dilute that
image. Yes if that means people haven't to put up with harder
suspension and no fancy bits then so be it. If you what a soft car
don't buy a sports car. Modern sports cars are about being quick,
excellent to drive and being aerodynamic. Now chrome bits are nothing
to do with any of those points. Rally cars don't have chrome bits.
Touring cars don't have chrome bits. Chrome bits are reserved for more
mature cars like Jaguars and Rolls Royces. Ok, so people might what to
put chrome bits on there modern MG saloons its there choice. But from
a brand point of view I believe it damages MG reputation. Its easier
to lose those good looks then its to gain them.
Robert Purser

MG ZT 180 Turbo anyone?
Ann MG Writer

Is it as fast as a MG ZT 190 ?
Marco Harzenmoser

I am sure a 180 bhp from a turbo would be great in the ZT, but unfortunatly the turbo unit is in fact attached to the 1.8 K series and only produces 150bhp. The performance of this unit is below that of the the 2.5 V6 i.e.

0-60 - 1.8 8.5, 2.5 7.7
top end - 1.8 132, 2.5 140

clearly a turbo unit producing 180bhp would overshadow the V6's which MGR would not desire. Shame really, as would most likely be quite sweet!

Marcus
marcus

Yeah, Marcus, but that's the Rover 75 Turbo...
Ann MG Writer

now I am more than intrigued, and a little concerned, especially seen as I am sue to collect my 190+ any day now! Are you referring to an after market mod to the standard 160Turbo unit that is available?

Regards.

Marcus
marcus

Ann is known for her excellent knowledge of MGR plans....

Perhaps an engine that could go in the F????
Patrick Beet

I have an MG ZT-T 190+ and am assurede they are not about to usurp that with a blown four cylinder (they'd be crazy to try!) - but the 160PS V6 is more under threat ...
Ann MG Writer

The 2.0L 148 PS KV6 in the R75 has already been replaced by the blown 4 pot K series. The big advantage is much much lower CO2 emmissions. There isn't much difference in CO2 emmissions between the 2.0L and both 160PS and 190PS versions of the KV6. And having had a 2.5 KV6 R75 for the past 3 years I know all about the pain in the increase in company car taxation levels whan my car taxation increased from 15% of value to 27% in April - oh joy lots more tax to pay, hence my interest in a ZT CDTi. However a low emmission turbo engine with lots of torque in the ZT may be of interest...........

Adrian

Well the wait is finaly over! The car arrived at teh dealers today and will be collecting on Friday. Been to check it out tonight, and bad news is, they have fitted the now standard chrome (MY2003)waist line and rear number plate surround despite insisting to factory that colour coded items were fitted. Goes without saying that the 'proper' items will be ordered by dealer tomorrow and fitted in a weeks time. Roll on Friday!

Incidently, dealer noticed this too, but parked next to a MY2001 ZT, the solar red on mine is nowhere near as dark as on the former. Also, MY2003 has different wing mirrors - straight from the Rover 25 dealer said, and new rain sensor (less visible).

Marcus
marcus

Ann( & others)
can you remind me of the characteristics of the new 150 HP Diesel announced by MGR
a few weeks ago ?
andrew

150 BHP???
Huh?

131 bhp diesel called the CDTi 135. Full spec on site.

www.xpower-mg.com
ZT135

That last posting by Ann was not by her I feel. there is a spelling mistook and she is very good at spilling...I wonder who it was then?
Cecil Kimber

...maybe, but the information was factually correct.

Rog
Roger Parker

I was using the obscure Olde English spelling of 'assurede' as in 'I am assurede that Cecil Kimber hath died these 57 years'.
Ann MG Writer

Just handed back to my local MGR dealer a ZT+ CDTi 135, that I borrowed for a 24 hour test drive, and I have to say I was very impressed. Power delivery was smooth, with lots of torque between 2000 - 3500 rpm.
I can't find any torque figures from MGR for the 131PS version yet, but the standard 116PS diesel produces 260 NM at 2000 rpm. This compares to 245 NM at 4000 rpm in the ZT 190.

I've been used to driving a R75 2.5 KV6 for the past 3 years, and the way the TD version delivered power took a little getting used to. There's no neeed to rev the diesel, in fact the redline's at 4500 rpm, and it runs out of puff much over 4000 rpm. High speed cruising is terrific, 3000 rpm equalled a totally unstressed 95 mph, with engine noise still very subdued.
The MY 2003 ZT suspension was a revelation compared to the R75's rather roly poly suspension settings. When I drove home in my R75 it felt so "loose" compared to the ZT's tautness. My only complaint was the horrible fiddly Kenwood stereo, compared to my R75's Alpine unit - which IMHO is a vital option for the R75.

Otherwise a superb car, plus CO2 emissions at 163 g/km compared to 235 g/km for the ZT 190, which for company car users such as myself makes a hugh difference to the tax liability. If I go down the ZT190 route the only economic option would be to buy myself out of the company car scehme.




Adrian

the 131PS model, designated by a red 'i' in the rear badge, produces the extra power and 300Nm of torque at the same rev points as the 116Ps/260Nm version. The CO2 emissions remain at 163 also.

Rog
Roger Parker

This thread was discussed between 10/09/2002 and 23/10/2002

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