Product Code Database
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 updated sports suspension and a less baffled exhaust.
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.
The ZR 120 came with a larger 1.8 K series engine which produced and torque giving a 0–60 mph time of 8.6 seconds and a top speed of . This had a more advanced brake set up despite the small power increase, featuring the same diameter 262mm discs up front, but this time vented for better cooling. The drums at the back were also replaced with 239mm solid discs to maintain braking balance. The range topping ZR 160 came with a 1.8 K Series VVC engine producing and torque giving a 0–60 mph of 7.4 seconds and a top speed of . This featured the most advanced brake set up available with 282mm vented front discs, and even larger solid 260mm rear discs.
There were also two diesel variants of the ZR, the first being the ZR TD 100 which had a 2.0 L Series engine producing and of torque, giving a 0-60 mph time of 9.7 seconds and a top speed of .
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 and of torque, which gave the car a 0–60 mph time of 9.1 seconds and a top speed of .
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.
The 2004 model also received a revised interior with new seat materials and a new dashboard design incorporating 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 features a sunroof, 16 inch 'Grid spoke' alloy wheels, new rear light clusters, leather steering wheel, and side sill and rear bumper extensions. The Trophy SE features 17 inch 'Straights' alloy wheels and has air conditioning in the place of a sunroof.
Under the Monogram program, 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 is rear parking sensors or heated seats.
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 Calum 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 , Group N+ Spec. The MG ZR is now raced in the MGCC in two classes, 160s and 190.
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.
In 2010, SAIC announced a new MG3 concept car to replace the ZR, which entered the United Kingdom in September 2013. It was initially only available with a 1.5 litre, 105 hp engine. In 2016, the MG3 received many improvements: the installation of an EU 6 derivative of the standard 1.5-litre engine developed by SAIC Motor UK, a start-stop system was fitted, and two-tone colour schemes, primarily on the red and yellow MG3's which can have either a black or white roof, were offered as options.
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