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12-12-07, 11:17 PM
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#1
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Events Organiser-Scotland
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Livingston
Posts: 7,667
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The history of the MG ZS as we know it
Was dored tonight so decided to go look up the MG ZS, here's what I found:
The ZS is essentialy a badge engineered Rover 45 (which was launched in 1999). The 45 in turn is a facelifted version of the Rover 400 which was launched in hatchback form in 1995 and saloon form in 1996. The Rover 400 had much in common with the Honda Civic of 1995-1999. At the time of development, Honda and Rover worked in partnership to design and develop cars for the Japanese and European markets.
The model was rapidly created from the Rover 45 after BMW sold off Rover in 2000. Development of the model was greatly accelerated by the fact that Rover had already created 400-series prototypes of the car using V6 engines and sporting suspension setups. In fact, MG-Rover developed MG versions of all three Rover cars on sale at the time. The Rover 25 became the MG ZR, the 45 the ZS and the 75 the ZT.
The Rover 45 donor car did not have a reputation for being a driver's car but in fact it was the most suitable car in the Rover range for transformation into an MG, its Honda heritage providing double-wishbone front suspension and fully independent multi-link rear suspension.
As a Rover, the car was always optimised for comfort rather than handling — as an MG this choice was reversed to dramatic effect.
Despite being arguably less pretty than the MG ZR and MG ZT in terms of external appearance, the ZS is arguably the best driver’s car of the trio, offering a lot of power in V6 form and a supple chassis with excellent handling.
A successor to the Rover 45/MG ZS (known internally as RDX60) was under development. This was to have been based on a shortened Rover 75 floorpan and was to appear in saloon, hatchback and 'tourer' (estate) bodystyles. Chassis development was being undertaken by Tom Walkinshaw Racing and ceased when TWR collapsed. The non-appearance of RDX60 meant that the ZS was facelifted and continued in production until the demise of MG-Rover.
In 2004 the ZS was facelifted with the rest of the MG-Rover range. The retro design cues adopted when the 400 became the 45 were mostly dropped. For the first time the Rover 45 and MG ZS became noticeably different looking cars – at least in the high specification ZS180 version. Wheelarch extensions, side vents in the wings and other touches delivered a distinctive look for the new ZS. The 2004 model also received a revised interior with new seat materials, a new dash design incorporating climate control on certain models.
MG ZS production ceased in April 2005 on the bankrupty of MG Rover, and the rights to make the car were soon repossessed by Honda - who owned the rights to the original 1995 design. MG production was revived two years on by new owners Nanjing Automobile, and the ZS's successor - the MG 5 - is set for a launch in 2008.
The ZS has been raced in the British Touring Car Championship since 2001. The West Surrey Racing (WSR) team enjoyed 'works' status for several years and initially ran cars with a two-litre version of the Rover KV6 engine, later switching to four-cylinder K-series engines developed by JUDD engineering. Ex-WSR V6 cars have appeared in other hands, and a 'junior team' was run in 2002 as part of a partnership with pop group "Attomic Kitten".
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13-12-07, 07:19 AM
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#2
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Site Owner
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Waterlooville, Hants
Posts: 24,097
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Did you know that the ZS as we now know it was originally called the X20 before its launch?
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13-12-07, 08:32 AM
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#3
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Founding Members
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: St. Cloud, FL, USA
Posts: 7,671
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I do now.
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" People in cars cause accidents. Accidents in cars cause people. Drive only with proper protection."
" You should try one. It's bloody good" - Jeremy Clarkson (commenting after driving a ZS180)
" Fines are a tax for doing bad, Taxes are a fine for doing good" - Unknown
GPS - Because guys don't know how to ask directions
MG ZS 180
3.5L V6 Ford Taurus
2.7L V6 EcoBoost Ford F150 4x4
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13-12-07, 12:19 PM
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 1,909
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The ZT was X10 and the ZR was X30.
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By how much do those who have gained by war fall short of the number of those who have perished in it? No doubt you will reply that there can be no comparison, that the dead cannot be numbered, while the living who have been rewarded may be summed up with three figures.
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13-12-07, 01:18 PM
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#5
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2007 Focus ST2
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Polomint City
Posts: 4,826
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maxxed_Ross
.........MG ZS production ceased in April 2005 on the bankrupty of MG Rover, and the rights to make the car were soon repossessed by Honda - who owned the rights to the original 1995 design. MG production was revived two years on by new owners Nanjing Automobile, and the ZS's successor - the MG 5 - is set for a launch in 2008.
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Only in China though, under Honda approval.
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13-12-07, 02:21 PM
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#6
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I'm Zeddin It
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Listenig to Vegetarian Progressive Grindcore
Posts: 774
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Have seen a few bits of the '5' and it is the same as the facelift ZS. However the chinese writing on it just hammers home the fact it is not an MG
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Jay
If you're having car problems, I feel bad for you son.
I got 99 problems but my Zed aint one!
A labour of love but never a problem.
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13-12-07, 05:37 PM
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#7
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2007 Focus ST2
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Polomint City
Posts: 4,826
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Storm
.........However the chinese writing on it just hammers home the fact it is not an MG
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The cars which were on show at the Shanghai Motor Show were cars imported from Longbridge as kits and nailed together in China, so effectively they are proper MG's albeit Chinese built Longbridge cars.
Notice the rear spats that are missing from the rear doors
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Last edited by KevG; 13-12-07 at 05:44 PM.
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13-12-07, 08:22 PM
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#8
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Events Organiser-Scotland
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Livingston
Posts: 7,667
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KevG
Notice the rear spats that are missing from the rear doors
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hehe I've got some nah nah nahnah naaah!
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13-12-07, 09:54 PM
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#9
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Founding Members
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: St. Cloud, FL, USA
Posts: 7,671
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KevG
Notice the rear spats that are missing from the rear doors
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So even the new manafacturer can't get parts...
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" People in cars cause accidents. Accidents in cars cause people. Drive only with proper protection."
" You should try one. It's bloody good" - Jeremy Clarkson (commenting after driving a ZS180)
" Fines are a tax for doing bad, Taxes are a fine for doing good" - Unknown
GPS - Because guys don't know how to ask directions
MG ZS 180
3.5L V6 Ford Taurus
2.7L V6 EcoBoost Ford F150 4x4
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13-12-07, 09:58 PM
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 1,909
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Have you seen the new MG7 with the premium bumper? The chrome insert for this bumper is no longer available. Looking at the photographs from Nanjing it appears that they have used part of the chrome from the boot lid plus some other bits instead.
__________________
By how much do those who have gained by war fall short of the number of those who have perished in it? No doubt you will reply that there can be no comparison, that the dead cannot be numbered, while the living who have been rewarded may be summed up with three figures.
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