MG ZR 5 Doors Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

The MG ZR was a compact vehicle introduced in 2001 by the MG Rover Group.

The hot-hatch was actually a badge-engineered Rover 25 that suffered few changes such as an improved suspension and a more attractive exterior and interior design.

The attractive ZR was built in 3- and 5-door body styles, available with a variety of engines and trim levels.

In 2004, MG decided to update the small sporty car along with the rest of the vehicles in the range.

With the new exterior design changes, the ZR was no longer that similar to the Rover 25.

Inside, the revised interior design was more appealing than before. The new dash design incorporated the climate controls on some models and the cloth upholstery was refreshed.

Other updates included a sunroof, 16-inch Grid Spoke alloys, refreshed rear light clusters, a leather steering wheel, side sills and rear bumper extensions.

Aside from the mentioned improvements, the ZR remained the same agile, aggressive looking pocket-rocket with a precise steering and great stability in turns.

The facelifted ZR should have been given an award for the shortest life in the automotive history, as its production ceased on its 1 year birthday.

The MG Rover Group went bankrupt in April 2005, just when the carmaker was about to release a new model to replace the ZR.

MG understood back in the early 2000s that the market for five-door hot hatches might be even bigger than the one for the three-door version and offered its ZR model with a set of doors for the rear passengers.

After it was sold by BMW to Phoenix Consortium, the British brand MG tried to survive in a grueling market with niche vehicles addressed to those who were still young at heart. The five-door version targeted customers who needed a rear bench and a pair of doors for it, and the idea was good.

The MG ZR begged for attention with its quad-headlight design. Its mesh grille was surrounded by body-colored trims, and the lower bumper received similar treatment for the air intake. While the front looked just like the one from the three-door version, the profile was different due to the number of doors. The carmaker didn't try to hide that with blackened B-pillars as other carmakers did. But, just like its three-door sibling, it featured an oversized roof spoiler at the back, on the upper side of the tailgate.

Inside, MG placed body-colored trims on the dashboard and door cards. Inside the instrument cluster, the white dials with red needles emphasized the car's sporty character. Also, the driver benefited from a three-spoke, two-tone steering wheel and a set of aluminum pedals. Moreover, the carmaker placed a set of high-bolstered seats at the front while a regular Rover 25 bench was installed in the back. Still, it used a specific upholstery that matched the car's color.

Under the hood, MG installed the same 1.8-liter, 160 HP Rover K-series engine paired exclusively with a five-speed manual.