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MG ZS Sedan Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 2
First production year: 2001
Engines: Diesel, Gasoline
MG ZS 4 Doors photo gallery

After gaining its independence from Rover and BMW, MG struggled to survive on a competitive market where big guns showed new sporty vehicles addressed for the younger generation, threatening the existence not only of the ZS Sedan on the market but the brand itself.

MG was no longer the shiny brand that once was. It had a platform carried over from a 1991 Honda Civic and a bodywork that it couldn't change without high costs. And it couldn't afford the price. But the British carmaker didn't want to drop the ball and focused on an upgraded version of the ZS range, including the sedan version.

First, it lost all the unnecessary aerodynamic elements that made it look flashy, such as the trunk spoiler or the oversized front bumper. It kept the A-shaped air intake from the front's lower apron and added a pair of fog lights on the sides. The most important change was in the lights department, where a pair of headlights replaced the four-lamp setup from its predecessor.

At the back, the bumper received a black lower area and mimicked a diffuser. It was not, but at least it showed some interest in producing performance vehicles. Last but not least, the carmaker provided the ZS Sedan with a set of multi-spoke light-alloy wheels, fitted as standard or as an option depending on the engine version.

On the interior, the ZS provided the same room as a 1991 Civic Sedan. Unlike its mundane sibling, the British small-sized sedan installed white dials and sporty-looking steering wheels and pedals. Yet, the engines carried over from Rover were Euro4 and, starting with 2005, the Old Continent switched to Euro5 emission levels. That brought the ZS to a halt.

full description and technical specifications
diesel engines:

MG ZS 4 Doors 115 D

MG ZS 4 Doors photo gallery

The MG ZS was the tuned version of the Rover 45, a car that shared its underpinnings with the Honda Concerto. It was developed and launched soon after BMW sold Rover in 2000.

The cooperation between Honda and Rover didn't last too long. But it was long enough so the two car-makers could develop some interesting cars together. The Honda Concerto/Civic and the Rover 400/45 was just an example of a good marriage. But after BMW bought the majority stakes in Rover Group from the British Aerospace in January 1994, the Japanese company slowly pulled out from Rover in 1995 after 20 years of cooperation. Then, in 2000, BMW sold Rover and Land Rover brands. The British company was on its own.

The MG ZS looked like a boy-racer dream but built in a factory, not in a garage. Over the simple body of a Rover 45 sedan, it installed a new front bumper, side sills, and a big wing in the back. A set of 17” light-alloy wheels was installed. The octagonal MG badge was pinned to the hood and that was the exterior of the ZS.

Inside, there were more tuning-fashion items such as the silver background for the dials and red needles. The sport-bucket seats featured two-tone color upholstery, where one of the colors was the car's body color. That won on the coolness factor.

For the mechanical part, a stiffer suspension was a good improvement. For the engine compartment, the ZS was available with the same engine as the Rover 45, plus something more: a 2.5-liter V6 engine taken from the Land Rover Freelander. It was a quick and appreciated car on the market and, mated to a 5-speed manual, it could top the 0-60 mph (0-97 kph) run in 7.3 seconds.

full description and technical specifications