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MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - Z-Cars: TOP GEAR BBC 2 - 8.30 Tonight - see what they say!

Title says it all ....... :o))

or maybe ..... :o(

we shall see ......

John McFeely
John McFeely

Bollocks missed it. What did they say?

Steve.
Steve Childs

it was a great review! they liked them, especially the one I've orderd, ZS!!!!!!!!!
phil palmer

In that "Factory sketch", did anyone else get the overpowering urge to give Jason whassisname a hearty shove into the murky depths of Tiger Bay behind him?

The whole thing was dragged out over the full half hour with, a grunted approval for the ZS & ZT, but the ZR was wholeheartedly dismissed.
Dave

Tiff described the ZS as the about the best FWD car he has driven handling wise.

Considering it's a 10 year old Civic, the MG boys have excelleled themselves with what they have done.

If they make a ZS, Subaru might as well pack up and go home.

Jonathan
Jonathan McCormack

I suspect the ZR would have had a more favourable review had it received the 2 or 2.5 litre KV6...
Mr Gillson

Quote: If they make a ZS, Subaru might as well pack up and go home.


Of course, what I meant to say was a 4WD ZS....

Jonathan
Jonathan McCormack

Mr Gillson, in that case you better hope they build the Ultimate ZR that I've heard about :) I myself haven't seen it, but someone I know has driven it.

Steve.
Steve Childs

I was going to say something Jonathan, I'm sure they will make a ZS ;)

As for a 4wd, well - you never know. Certainly strange things are going on at Longbridge these days.

Strange, but strange in a wonderful way.

Steve.
Steve Childs

I think they have some way to go before they can say they are MG sports coupe's worthy of the marque. The association with the Rover originals is too apparent and whilst it's a step in the right direction for the company these models will be a stepping stone (hopefully) to true MG sports saloons...


ER
Ewan Ramage

Hmm, what would you say the shortfalls are with the Z cars then Ewan. OK, I haven't driven one yet, but the ZT certainly for me looks the best of the bunch, when they drop the V8 into it, it will have a decent amount of power to play with.

They are substantially more differerent from the Rovers, more mechanically than in looks - but on a limited budget, you can't really do that much to the looks.

Ok, so they will always be seen as MG'd Rovers, but given that MG haven't got the resources yet to build an MG from scratch (most of the upcoming models are based upon other cars - exception of the X70/X71 I believe these are from scratch) I think they are worthy MGs.

Certainly, they live up to the "affordable sports cars" theme of MG.

Steve.
Steve Childs

Well it's enough to make want to go out and buy a TV licence..... :o))

Top Gear liked them - well certainly the ZS and ZT so two out of three aint bad at all. I cant remember ANY car in that price range/class being spoken of so highly. No way was I prepared for that level of Top Gear praise on the ZS and ZT. Comparisons leading to comments such as an M3 at half the price must mean they were very impressed. Bet that raised a few smiles back at Longbridge! Yes, I believe they were favourably impressed as indeed I was some weeks back when I had a run out in the factory "engineering" ZS car. Superb quality induction engine sound .... and some matching performance too .... :o))

So what that Tiffany Dell and Vicki Droopy-Drawers did not like the ZR. That model will probably be the Z-car best seller simply because of it's affordable price/performance ratio. I thought the presentation, description and driving of all the Z-Cars over the whole programme was excellent and I bet MG-Rover are quietly pleased too!

Looks like BBC and Top Gear have taken a leaf out of now "German Doctor" free MG-Rover's book and are also getting it right. So, well done BB2 and Top Gear - cant ever remember even thinking that before let alone setting it down in print! Funny old game life - wonders never cease ... ;o))

John McFeely
John McFeely

Is Top gear repeated, I know they used to repeat them, but I can't remember when.


Steve.
Steve Childs

Steve: I was going to say something Jonathan, I'm sure they will make a ZS ;)

They should, and base it on a 45 ;)

Top Gear I think is repeated on BBC Choice, you should actually email the beeb because they actually answer their emails and are very helpful

If it is repeated, let me know and I can tape it for anybody on the list and do copies.

Jonathan
Jonathan McCormack

Steve I taped it if your that desperate,
send a blank cheque too... :-)

Kelv

Kelvin

Despite MGRs best efforts to point out that these cars are totally new, the Top Gear team repeadly kept refering them back as Rover 25, 45 and 75. The MG ZS needs to work to impress on them, but apart from that it was a big thumps up from the TG team!

Kelvin
Kelvin

I do not know how I am going to do, but I am more convinced than ever that the 'family' 214 is going to be miraculously converted into a ZS180 :o)) Looks truely fantastic in Trophy Blue (better even than the MGF in that colour)

When comments come like "this is the best FWD chassis I've ever driven" and "wow this is how the 3-series USED to feel" and nothing but gushing praise about the sound of the engine... I want to drive one NOW!

Shame about the ZR. I bet it is way better than they seem to indicate, but the motoring press seem fairly consistent on their appraisal of the model. IMO this is the car MG-R spent the least time fettling- in many ways it was already a good hot hatch, and most of the brain power and effort went into transforming the dowdy 45 into the astonishing car I now covet...

But as Steve says, there is more to come- and there is a Prodive connection... ;o)
Rob Bell

Did anyone else notice how at first, Jason Barlow seemed to let the TG side down by being ENTHUSIASTIC about the MG ZR? Then the others came along and the 'consensus' was 'refocused'. But overall, they were very fair with the ZS and ZT - the ZS is a fantastic car to drive - really impressive and a lovely howling V6 - so long as you can live with the dashboard style (it works but doesn't look great). But for many that'll be a small price to pay. The suspension is all-round wishbones - courtesy of old bedfellows Honda - and this helps handling on the circuit as well as the road. But the car I wanted to take home after driving it at Pembrey? That'll be the ZT please ...
David Knowles

Rob "Prodive", does that mean a amphibian version? ;)

Or did you mean ProDrive? :p

Steve.
Steve Childs

Sorry Steve, you're wrong too. Its Prodrive not ProDrive ;-).

Anyway that a pretty strong Subaru conection isn't it? I wonder if this is where the already aluded to ZR 4wd equipment will come from?
Nicodemus

Nicodemus, its a programmer thing, sorry. I tend to captialise words like that.

SteveChilds. ;)
Steve Childs

Well you've seen the sonar-ping parking sensors in the rear bumper haven't you Steve? ;o)
Rob Bell

>>Did anyone else notice how at first, Jason Barlow seemed to let the TG side down by being ENTHUSIASTIC about the MG ZR? Then the others came along and the 'consensus' was 'refocused'.<<

Yes- very obvious in fact.

It'll be a good car, but my favourite is still the ZS180.
Rob Bell

Having already driven the ZS180 Rob, I can assure you that you will not be dissapointed!! And the blue is indeed a fantastic colour, er'indoors has already made it clear that ours will be blue!!

Kelvin
Kelvin

Kelvin, I agree with you, the blue is really, really nice. They (colliers) had a blue ZT and Blue MGF Trophy parked either side of a yellow ZS. (See website for photo.)

The yellow however looks a tad bright, I can't wait to see a Lemans green one - the one I saw at the sportscar show was awesome.

http://www.mg-rover.org/image_lib/images/shows/2001_scs/zr_02.jpg

(More pics in the Sportscar show section in the Image gallery (Image Gallery -> Motor Shows -> Sportscar show '01)

Steve.
Steve Childs

My 16 year old son Martin ( a much keener MG enthusiast than even I was at his age - bless him ) carefully video recorded only the MG Z-car content from last night's Top Gear. Show's the boy's got good taste as well as class!

Watched it all again and my second impressions even more favourable. Yes, I agree about their initial observations about the ZR. I suspect that generally they liked ALL the cars but, perhaps to give some credibility to their surprisingly upbeat reports on the excellent ZS and ZT cars, retrospectively ear-marked the ZR for moderate negativity in the interests of balance. If they'd raved about all three models, I dont think the Brit car buying public are ready to accept that sort of thing right now unless it's of foreign or particularly of teutonic origin.

To be fair, even with the VVC engine there are still only four cylinders so the ZR is at a huge disadvantage when immediately compared to the other cars fitted with that superb performing and sounding KV6. Had they reviewed the ZR alone, there could have been a different reaction to this model.

With the second viewing I was reminded of their choice of background music which normally I am not in favour of for many TV programmes. However, this time their choice of The Who's "Baba O'Riley" introduction was inspired. This classic Rock Anthem, along with the Who's "Wont Get Fooled Again" figures at the top of my favourite music to drive fast by!

All in all I expect many viewers who are not MG enthusiasts but simply car buyers considering their next new car, may well decide to mooch on down to their local MG-Rover outlet. If they then get to try the cars, that could be all it takes to make these cars a sales success leading to a more secure future and much better things for our favourite car maker.

Keep up the good work MG-Rover.

John McFeely.
John McFeely

John McFeely, Gloucester, UK

<<However, this time their choice of The Who's "Baba O'Riley" introduction was inspired. This classic Rock Anthem, along with the Who's "Wont Get Fooled Again" figures at the top of my favourite music to drive fast by!>>

We also heard the first few bars of "This Charming Man", by The Smiths, (1983). I wonder if it was alluding to Mr.Towers......


Dave

Rob, Where's the Pro-drive conection ? I thought the touring cars were being sorted out by West Surrey Racing. If Pro-drive HAVE got their grubby little paws on the ZS, then a Scooby beater could be on the cards..

Kieren
Kieren Gibson

Needell overstated the clutch pedal height somewhat (in fact the ZS and ZT are higher if anything) but certainly did not understate the lack of room for the left foot or the low wheel/high seating position. All of them could do with lower seats for me. The ZR is also a bit gorilla-like - short legs and long arms needed. In the detail stakes the ZR has a nice little plastic bit on the end of the bonnet stay to protect the paint, but the ZS just has a painted metal stay going direct into the painted bonnet. The ZT probably has the best dash - the others have little more than than a tiny area of dimpled alloy in a sea of black plastic - the dials are nice, though.
Paul Hunt

I seem to remember an excellent review on TG for the 'F' and then within 6 months they were slanging it off. Very fickle are TG, so don't be dissapointed if this love afair with the saloons does'nt last.

Mike
Michael Williams

>>Rob, Where's the Pro-drive conection ? I thought the touring cars were being sorted out by West Surrey Racing. If Pro-drive HAVE got their grubby little paws on the ZS, then a Scooby beater could be on the cards...<<

Spot on Kieren- WSR is running the ZS Touring car, but a Pro-drive connection is with the ZT engineering...

It would be nice if the ZS were turned into a 300 bhp 4WD Scooby eater- but Roger has poored some cool water on that idea with the observation that the platform was never designed with 4WD in mind.

Which isn't to say it would be impossible...

Bit of a conflict of interest for Pro-drive though- what with the 280 bhp Pro-drive edition Scooby having been launched, and a healthy interest in the road car's development.

But a 500 bhp 4WD ZT? Surely a possibility?
Rob Bell

Haven't seen the article yet, only the front cover of Autocar, and I'm not too familiar with all the pricing of the ZR options, but - 150mph Scooby beater, caught my eye first - then saw the Civic Type-R. Huge Honda fan anyway, and the proud owner of 2 previuos Type-R's, just make me wonder if it'll be going up against any of the higher end ZR's or maybe ZS's.
Anyone know anymore ?

Kieren
Kieren Gibson

Hey Rob or as Roger emailed me how about a 700 bhp ZT with 4wd ...

and yes I really want one jeez even 300bhp should be enough (plus straight through pipes.......)
Neil W

This thread was discussed between 19/07/2001 and 31/07/2001

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