MG ZR

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
MG
MG ZR three-door (2001-2004)
MG ZR three-door (2001-2004)
ZR
Production period: 2001-2005
Class : Compact class
Body versions : Station wagon
Engines: Otto engines :
1.4–1.8 liters
(75–115 kW)
Diesel engines :
2.0 liters
(73–82 kW)
Length: 4011 mm
Width: 1688 mm
Height: 1400 mm
Wheelbase :
Empty weight : 1095 kg
Previous model MG Metro
successor MG 3

The MG ZR is a sporty station wagon that was manufactured by the MG brand of the MG Rover Group from mid-2001 to spring 2005. The construction was intended for a Rover 25 GTI before BMW bought the company, but then the new owner did not want to continue this sport variant "Hot-Hatch", so MG took over the concept and named it MG ZR. The car received a number of styling changes and a performance boost, e.g. B. an improved sports suspension.

Model versions

The ZR 105 was delivered with a 1.4 liter R4 engine that developed 101 hp (75 kW), had 123 Nm of torque, and accelerated from 0-100 km / h in 10 s. accomplished and reached a top speed of 178 km / h.

The ZR 120 had a 1.8 l R4 engine with 115 PS (85 kW) output, 160 Nm torque, an acceleration of 0-100 km / h in 8.6 s. and a top speed of 191 km / h.

The top model ZR 160 had a 1.8 l R4 VVC engine with 157 hp (118 kW) output and 174 Nm torque with fully variable valve control on the inlet side. He accelerated the vehicle in 7.4 s 0-100 km / h and helped it 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 l R4 diesel engine of the L series, developed 101 hp (74 kW) and had a torque of 240 Nm. He accelerated the vehicle in 9.7 s 0-100 km / h and gave it a top speed of 183 km / h.

The other diesel variant was the ZR TD 115 . This had the same engine as the TD 100, but with a small boost in power. It developed 113 hp (83 kW) and had a torque of 260 Nm. In 9.1 s he accelerated the car 0-100 km / h and ensured a top speed of 187 km / h.

In 2003 the MG Express was introduced, a fast, two-seater delivery van.

  • Rear view

  • MG ZR 160 five-door (2001-2004)

Facelift

At the beginning of 2004, like the other MG Rover models, the ZR received a facelift . New front and rear bumpers, new headlights, a new tailgate and a number of other details gave the car a new, more modern look. The ZR also received a new interior. Upholstery materials and the dashboard were renewed, whereby the car got "soft-touch buttons". This gave the car a much more modern driving experience and went well with the angular lines of the body.

The revised ZR also had the Trophy and Trophy SE models . The Trophy had a sunroof, 16 ″ alloy wheels with "lattice spokes", new taillights, a leather steering wheel, as well as widened entry points and a larger rear bumper. The Trophy SE had 17 ″ alloy wheels in a smooth design and air conditioning instead of the sunroof.

In the Monogram program , buyers could choose from many optional extras to personalize their ZR, such as: B. Extras from the list of Rover 25 . These were e.g. B. rear parking sensors or heated seats.

  • MG ZR 160 (2004-2005)

  • Rear view

Admission to the clientele

The MG ZR has been one of Britain's most popular sporty sedans throughout its production life.

In 2004 it was the MG Rover Group's best-selling vehicle - the first time an MG vehicle had been the most popular product of one of the many owner conglomerates that MG was part of throughout its existence.

Tens of thousands of MG ZR's were sold in the UK, especially to young people responding to offers like free insurance or sales tax discounts. They soon found out that the K-series engines were good and sharp machines, although there were problems with the cylinder head gaskets, as found in a BBC watchdog investigation.

Offer in Germany

The only variant initially available in Germany was the top version ZR 160. This had, among other things, standard side skirts, 17-inch sports bikes, sports suspension, a sports exhaust system, partial leather seats and a large roof spoiler. The ZR 105 followed later, which, in addition to the smaller engine compared to the top model, was also simplified in some other areas. The ZR 105 has, for example, B. only 16-inch wheels, drum brakes on the rear axle and side skirts were only optional. Since the end of 2003, the MG ZR has also been sold as a five-door model. Since August 2004 there has also been the facelift version, which has a modified wishbone rear axle and has been redesigned both inside and outside.

MG ZR in rallying

MG Sport & Racing developed a number of MG ZR club and national rally competitions. MG Sport & Racing hired Gwyndaf Evans , Tony Jardine and Natalie Barratt as drivers for some competitions. Some MG ZRs still drive in national rallies today and in 2007 Luke Pinder competed in a ZR in the N1 class of the Rally of Great Britain and, although he had never driven the car before, he was able to lead his class after the first day and finally win.

MG ZR in racing

MG Sport & Racing converted two MG ZR 160s according to the Group N specification for the National Saloon Car Championship 2003. After only two competitions, the Airconstruct team's cars were converted to dry-break tank systems due to poor results and James Tucker entered the EERC Britcar Endurance Series . The No. 34 car was driven by owner John Hammersley and his junior driver Andrew Dunlop and entered the series when there were only eight races left of the season. In this remarkable season, the Hammersley / Dunlop driver team achieved the maximum number of points in seven of the eight races in the Britcar Class 4 and lost the title just two points behind Andy Rouse in a DTM Mercedes and Callum Lockie in a BMW M3. John Hammersley and his son Mark won the series the following year in a car that had been upgraded to 190 bhp (140 kW) according to factory specifications for Group N +.

The collapse of the MG Rover Group

In 2004, MG Rover announced plans for a new car that would inherit the ZR and its Rover sister model, the 25. It was hoped that the new car would be available before the end of 2006. In April 2005, however, the planned takeover of MG Rover by SAIC failed and the company had to register a settlement. NAC bought what was left of the company three months later, but when the new MG model range was launched in 2007, the ZR and ZS were n't part of the party.

Web links

Commons : MG ZR  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ MG ZR Review , Sunday Times, July 31, 2005
  2. ↑ MG ZR Review , HonestJohn.co.uk
  3. ↑ AutoExpress MG ZR Review , Auto Express
  4. ^ K-Series Engine , Austin Rover Online
  5. ↑ Report on RallyBrcStars.co.uk (English)  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.@1@ 2Template: Dead Link / www.rallybrcstars.co.uk  
  6. ↑ Chinese Plant Rolls out First MG , BBC News May 7, 2007 (English)  ( Page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.@1@ 2Template: Dead Link / news.bbc.co.uk