MG ZR

MG ZR three-door (2001-2004)

The MG ZR is a sporty station wagon, which was manufactured by the brand MG MG Rover Group from mid- 2001 to early 2005. The design was intended for a Rover 25 GTI before BMW bought the company, but then the new owner wanted this "sport hot- hatch " not continue, so MG took the concept and called it MG ZR. The car received a number of changes in styling and a power sprayer, such as an improved sports suspension.

Model versions

The ZR 105 came with a 1.4 -liter R4- motor (75 kW) made ​​101 bhp, had 123 Nm of torque, acceleration from 0-100 km / h in 10 seconds and brought about a top speed of 178 km / h reached.

The ZR 120 had a 1.8 liter engine with 115 bhp R4 (85 kW), 160 Nm torque, acceleration from 0-100 km / h in 8.6 seconds and a top speed of 191 km / h

The top model ZR 160 had a 1.8 liter R4- VVC engine with 157 bhp (118 kW ) of power and 174 Nm torque with the intake side fully variable valve control. He accelerated the car in 7.4 sec 0-100 km / h and helped him to a top speed of 210 km / h

There were also two diesel variants of the ZR; the ZR TD 100 had a 2.0-liter diesel engine R4 L-series, made ​​101 bhp (74 kW ) and had to have a torque of 240 Nm. He accelerated the car in 9.7 sec 0-100 km / h, giving it a top speed of 183 km / h

The other diesel variant was the ZR TD 115 This was the same engine as the TD 100, but with a small performance boost. He made 113 bhp ( 83 kW ) and had 260 Nm of torque. In 9.1 seconds he accelerated the car 0-100 km / h and provided a top speed of 187 km / h

2003 MG Express was introduced, a fast, two-seater vans.

MG ZR 160 five-door hatchback (2001-2004)

Facelift

In early 2004 received the ZR as well as the other MG- Rover models a facelift. New front and rear bumpers, new headlamps, a new tailgate and some other details gave the car a new, more modern look. The ZR also received a new interior. Cushioning materials and the dashboard have been replaced, the car " Soft Touch button" got. This gave the car a much more modern feel and clashed with the angular lines of the bodywork.

When revised ZR there was also the Trophy and Trophy SE models. The Trophy had a sunroof, 16 " alloy wheels with " grid spokes ", new tail lights, leather steering wheel, and door sill extensions and a larger rear bumper. The Trophy SE had 17 " alloy wheels in a smooth design and air conditioning instead of the sunroof.

In Monogram programs, the buyer could choose many options available to match their personal ZR on them, such as extras from the list of Rover 25 These were, for example, rear parking sensors and heated seats.

Rear view

Recording of their clientele

The MG ZR was one of Britain's most popular sports sedans during its entire production period.

In 2004, he was the best selling vehicle of the MG Rover Group - the first time that a MG vehicle the most popular product of one of the many owners conglomerates to which MG was in the course of its existence was.

Tens of thousands of MG ZR were sold in the UK, particularly to young people who responded to offers such as free insurance or discounts in the amount of VAT. They soon found out that the engines of the K series were good and sharp machines, although there were problems with the cylinder head gaskets, as in a BBC Watchdog - was found to investigation.

Offer in Germany

The initially only available in Germany variant was the top version ZR 160 This decreed among other things, standard side skirts, 17-inch sport wheels, sports suspension, sports exhaust system, part leather seats and a large roof spoiler. Later, even the ZR 105, which has been simplified in addition to the smaller engine compared with the top model in some other places followed. Thus, the ZR 105 is fitted as standard, for example, only about 16 -inch wheels, drum brakes at the rear and side there was only optional. Since late 2003, the MG ZR was also marketed as a five-door hatchback. Since August 2004, there was also the facelift variant, which has a modified wishbone rear suspension and visually outside, as revised and internally.

MG ZR in rallying

MG Sport & Racing has developed a range of MG ZR club and national rally competitions. MG Sport & Racing undertook Gwyndaf Evans, Tony Jardine and Natalie Barratt as a driver for some competitions. Some MG ZR drive even today in national rallies in 2007 and took Luke Pinder in a ZR in the N1 class of the Rally of Great Britain in part, and, although he had never driven the car before he could give his class after the first day and finally win.

MG ZR in racing

MG Sport & Racing built two MG ZR 160 to enable the Group N specification for the National Saloon Car Championship 2003. After only two competitions, the car of the team Airconstruct were converted and registered with the EERC Britcar Endurance Series by James Tucker for bad results on "Dry - Break ' tank systems. The car # 34 was driven by the owner John Hammersley and his junior rider Andrew Dunlop and reported in the series, provided any information as only eight races of the season. In this remarkable season, the team of drivers Hammersley / Dunlop 4 could reach the maximum number of points in seven of the eight races in Britcar Class and lost the title by just two points behind Andy Rouse on DTM Mercedes and Callum Lockie on BMW M3. John Hammersley and his son Mark won the series the following year in a car that has been upgraded by then according to factory specification for the group N to 190 bhp (140 kW).

The collapse of MG Rover Group

2004 MG Rover announced plans for a new car, the 25 should, inherit the ZR Rover and its sister model. It was hoped to have the new car available before the end of 2006. In April 2005, however, the proposed acquisition of MG Rover failed by the SAIC and the company had to file for comparison. NAC bought the remains of the company three months later on, but when the new MG model range was introduced in 2007, the ZR and ZS were not one of the party.

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