MG ZR

MG ZR
Overview
Manufacturer MG (MG Rover)
Production 2001–2005
Assembly Longbridge, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Body and chassis
Class Hot hatch (B)
Body style 3-door hatchback
5-door hatchback
3-door panel van "MG Express"
Layout FF layout
Related Rover 25
Rover Streetwise
MG3 SW
Powertrain
Engine 1.4 L K-Series Straight-4
1.8 L K-Series Straight-4
1.8 L K-Series VVC Straight-4
2.0 L L-Series Straight-4
Chronology
Predecessor MG Metro
Successor MG3

The MG ZR is an MG branded "hot hatch" version of the Rover 25 supermini class car, produced by MG Rover at their Longbridge plant in Birmingham from 2001 to 2005. Compared to the Rover 25, the ZR featured a number of styling modifications and performance enhancements, such as uprated sports suspension and a less baffled exhaust.

Reception

The MG ZR was one of Britain's most popular sporting hatchbacks throughout its production life, and in 2004, it was MG Rover's best selling car—the first time that any MG product had been the most popular product of any of the many combines that had owned the MG marque.

Tens of thousands of MG ZRs were sold in Britain, and proved particularly popular with young buyers who were attracted by deals such as free insurance and discounts that were the equivalent of VAT. The car was made until April 2005. While its handling was praised by reviewers, other aspects of the ZR were found to be inadequate.

Performance

A five door MG ZR

ZR 105 came with a 1.4 K series engine which produced 102 bhp (76 kW; 103 PS) and 123 N⋅m (91 lb⋅ft) torque giving a 0–60 mph of 9.7 seconds and a top speed of 111 mph (179 km/h). It featured 262mm solid disks up front, and drum brakes at the rear.

The ZR 120 came with a 1.8 K series engine which produced 115 bhp (86 kW; 117 PS) and 160 N⋅m (120 lb⋅ft) torque giving a 0–60 mph of 8.6 seconds and a top speed of 119 mph (192 km/h). This had a more advanced brake set up despite the small power increase, featuring same diameter 262mm discs upfront, but this time vented for aided cooling. The drums at the back were also replaced with 239mm solid disks to maintain braking balance.

MG ZR (three door)

The range topping ZR 160 came with a 1.8 K Series VVC engine producing 159 bhp (119 kW; 161 PS) and 174 N⋅m (128 lb⋅ft) torque giving a 0–60 mph of 7.4 seconds and a top speed of 131 mph (211 km/h). This featured the most advanced brake set up available with 282mm vented front discs, and even larger solid 260mm rear disks, all of which provided excellent stopping force in a vehicle only weighing 1145 kg.

There were also two diesel variants of the ZR, the first being the ZR TD 100 which had a 2.0 L Series engine that made 99 bhp (74 kW; 100 PS) and 240 N⋅m (180 lb⋅ft) torque giving a 0-60 mph of 9.7 seconds and a top speed of 114 mph (183 km/h).

The other diesel engined ZR was the TD 115 which came with the same 2.0 L series engine but with some minor performance enhancements (improved ECU map), to produce 111 bhp (83 kW; 113 PS) and 260 N⋅m (190 lb⋅ft) torque, which saw the car have a 0–60 mph of 9.1 seconds and a top speed of 116 mph (187 km/h). The ZR TD 115 also came equipped with disc brakes at both the front and the rear sharing its brake set up with the ZR 120, whereas the ZR TD 100 had drums at the back, sharing its brake set up with the ZR 105.

Petrol engines
Years Model Engine Power Torque Top Speed 0-62 mph Economy
2001–20051.4 105 Manual1,396 cc - L4 - NA103 PS (76 kW)123 N⋅m (91 lb⋅ft)111 mph (179 km/h)10.0 s41.3 mpg‑imp (6.84 l/100 km)
2001–20051.8 120 Manual1,796 cc - L4 - NA117 PS (86 kW)160 N⋅m (120 lb⋅ft)119 mph (192 km/h)8.6 s29.8 mpg‑imp (9.5 l/100 km)
2001–20051.8 120 Steptronic1,796 cc - L4 - NA117 PS (86 kW)160 N⋅m (120 lb⋅ft)112 mph (180 km/h)9.5 s34.7 mpg‑imp (8.1 l/100 km)
2001–20051.8 160 VVC Manual1,796 cc - L4 - NA160 PS (120 kW)174 N⋅m (128 lb⋅ft)131 mph (211 km/h)7.4 s37.6 mpg‑imp (7.51 l/100 km)
Diesel engines
Years Model Engine Power Torque Top Speed 0-62 mph Economy
2001–20052.0 TD Manual1,994 cc - L4 - TC101 PS (74 kW)240 N⋅m (180 lb⋅ft)114 mph (183 km/h)9.7 s53.8 mpg‑imp (5.25 l/100 km)
2001–20052.0 TD 115 Manual1,994 cc - L4 - TC113 PS (83 kW)260 N⋅m (190 lb⋅ft)116 mph (187 km/h)9.1 s51.5 mpg‑imp (5.49 l/100 km)

MG Express

The MG Express was produced alongside the MG ZR as a car-derived van. It had the same trim options and running gear as the MG ZR, with a re enforced loadspace floor and bulkhead fitted instead of the rear seats, and the rear side windows replaced with bonded panels. A total of 3177 Express vans were produced.[1]

Facelift

Face lift MG ZR td
Face lift MG ZR td

In January 2004, the ZR was facelifted with the rest of the MG Rover range, the new design was created by Peter Stevens, who designed the McLaren F1. A new, more modern look was given to the car through new front and rear bumpers, headlights, tailgate and various other exterior features.

The model of 2004 also received a revised interior with new seat materials and a new dash design incorporating the use of soft touch buttons. This gave the cars a far more modern feel and matched the clean, more angular lines of the exterior.

The facelifted ZR also saw the introduction of the Trophy and Trophy SE models. The MG ZR Trophy featuring a sunroof, 16 inch 'Grid spoke' alloys, new rear light clusters, leather steering wheel and side sill and rear bumper extensions. The Trophy SE featured 17 inch 'Straights' alloy wheels and had air conditioning in the place of a sunroof.

Under the Monogram programme, buyers could also select a wide range of options to customise their ZR, such as choosing optional extras from the Rover 25 list. An example of this being rear parking sensors or heated seats.

MG ZR in rallying

MG Sport & Racing developed a number of MG ZRs to be used in club and national rallying. MG Sport & Racing signed Gwyndaf Evans, Tony Jardine and Natalie Barratt to compete in a number of events. A number of MG ZR's still compete in national rallying events, and the 2007 Rally of GB event saw Luke Pinder compete a ZR in the N1 class, and despite not driving the car before the event, he led the class after day one and went on to win his class.

MG ZR in racing

The MG ZR facelift in competition

MG Sport & Racing built two MG ZR 160's to Group N Specification for the 2003 National Saloon Car Championship. After only two events, and due to poor grids, the 'Team Airconstruct' cars were modified with dry break refuelling systems and entered into the EERC Britcar Endurance Series run by James Tucker. Driven by car owner John Hammersley and teenager Andrew Dunlop, car # 34 was a late entry into the Series, with only eight races remaining.

In a remarkable season, the Hammersley/Dunlop pairing scored maximum points in Britcar Class 4 in seven out of eight events, missing out on the overall title, and a perfect score, by only two points to Andy Rouse in a DTM Mercedes, and Callum Lockie in a BMW M3.

John Hammersley with son Mark took the Series win in the following year with the car, which had by then been upgraded to 'works' specification 190 bhp (142 kW; 193 PS), Group N+ Spec. The MG ZR is now raced in the MGCC in two classes, 160s and 190. The races are close and fun filled.

MG Car Club MG Trophy Championship

In 2014, the MG Car Club MG Trophy Championship saw the introduction of the ‘new’ 160 class (D) for basic road going ZR160 cars. The previous 160 class (C) was upgraded with an ECU remap and other changes and rebranded as the 170 class. Both these changes proved to be winners, with four of the new 160’s and 19 170’s racing.[2]

The MG Trophy is one of the best and most enjoyable single make club championships in the United Kingdom, offering high quality close racing for the front wheel drive MG ZR in three classes.[3]

MG Rover collapse

In April 2005, MG Rover's proposed takeover by SAIC collapsed, and the company went into receivership. Nanjing Automobile eventually bought the company's assets three months later, but when the MG range was relaunched in April 2007, the ZR and ZS were not included in the model range.[4] It was replaced by the MG3 SW in 2008, sold to the Chinese market only.[5]

In 2010, SAIC announced a new MG3 concept car to replace the ZR, which was due to enter the United Kingdom in the end of 2011. It was expected to come with a 1.3 or 1.5 engine.

References

  1. ↑ MG ZR 105 and MG Express Van, www.mgownersclub.co.uk Retrieved 11 May 2018
  2. ↑ Macwaters, Pete. "History - MG Trophy Championship". MG Trophy Championship. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  3. ↑ "Welcome to the MG Trophy Championship 2018 - MG Trophy Championship". MG Trophy Championship. MG Car Club. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  4. ↑ "Chinese plant rolls out first MG". BBC News. 2007-03-27. Retrieved 2007-04-30.
  5. ↑ "Chinese hopes for revived Rover cars". BBC News. 2007-04-23. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
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