The INCREDIBLE Story of the MG Z cars - ZT, ZS and ZR
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- čas přidán 6. 02. 2024
- In this video we cover one of the best projects MG Rover ever produced the MG Z cars, a series of cars that were more then meets the eye, these cars helped MG Rover survive during its early years but even they couldn’t stave off the collapse.
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ARonline is a great source and credited; www.aronline.co.uk/cars/mg-ca...
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I always wanted a ZR. My mate had one, a 1.4 which he let me have a go in. It handled like a dream and was fun
I’ve never had a go in a ZR, would love to though. I’ve mostly driven ZTs
I loved this Era,I drove a 300bhp ZS about 10 years back (I was so impressed)even the ZR diesels were great to drive,I was lucky enough to drive a ZT 260 back in the day ( I haven’t seen another one since,thanks for the great memories Tom Superb 👍😉💪
Thanks Alan, I drove a 260 briefly and it was fantastic. What a car!
I owned a MG ZT V6 for 15 years. It looked great, 1 of the best cars I've ever owned,
I have a ZS180 facelift as a weekend toy. Fantastic car with stunning handling and beautiful V6. Even holds up well against my Toyota GR86!
As always, an exceptional presentation. Every time I think of the British auto industry, I shake my head (as I am sure many enthusiasts do) trying to understand how such a player in the world marketplace withered. The upside is that these vaunted makes have a potential to return in the "Bugatti" or "Maybach" style. The world is at a crossroads in many aspects, including future transportation and how it is propelled. With some leadership, faith, determination, and hard work (and oh yeah, some Pounds), the UK is in a position to be a significant player again in the automobile. Americans often have a sterotype of England as John Steed, cricket, country houses, etc., but British design is quite awesome. I look back at the Harris Mann BL designs, and I still marvel at smart yet attractive simplicty of the cars. Top Gear liked ridiculing everything about those cars, but I find that a defeatist attitude. I see British vehicles on US roads constantly (Range Rovers, Land Rovers, Minis, and Jaguars, along with the rare Aston-Martin, Bentley, or Rolls-Royce.) That compares to the UK, where I will rarely see a US model on the roads (a Chrysler 300, a PT Cruiser, a Corvette, a Mustang, or a JEEP.....although Tesla has become quite popular). And the Chrysler / JEEPs were likely built in Graz, Austria, and the TESLA built in Germany). But car buyers in the US today generally do not have knowledge let alone experience with BL cars, so it is time to bury those memories and the "Lucas, Prince of Darkness" jokes and build on the generally positive image of those British cars currently on US roads. I'd love to see a UK startup develop an interesting and unique design (think the 1976 Lagonda or anything by Harris Mann, Spen King, and David Bache),. Hopefully, the UK government is able to attract and bolster new automobile business because the demands of today are vastly different from circa 1900 when ICE came into common useage. The winning vehicles of today will set the stage for the next century. I'm rooting for you, Great Britain!!!
Back in 2003 I had a bright yellow brand new ZR which I applied some subtle modifications too. Absolutely loved it, drove well and handled great. It was even in redline magazine from a car show.
Run a 190 as my daily, had it 6 years. Been one end of the country to the other on driving holidays and apart from routine servicing never had an issue.
It's fast, comfortable and sounds great.
Also a pride and a sadness at driving the last British mass produced saloon.
Thanks, great vid as usual
I had a metallic blue ZTT CDTI. It felt both luxurious and sporty at the same time. Had it for about 8 years and on the whole it was brilliant. I sold it because spares were becoming difficult to obtain. Items such as Aircon pipes simply weren't available. My son and daughter both had ZRs. My daughter is a teacher and her pupils commented that she had a really cool car. It made her feel great.
In The Netherlands all these Rover MG's of this era are very rare. (Except the MG F/TF). The Rover brand was already in problems at that time. It is a shame because I like all these versions. Lucky enough my F is still going strong. Tom can you make a video about the short limited run TF's made under Chinese ownership?
They are rare everywhere crap build quality
Fantastic and passionate report on the development of these great Z models. I still remember the hope and enthusiasm they generated at launch. At the time, I was working as a motoring journalist for Belgian media and if I’m not wrong the international media launch happened on a racetrack but I couldn’t remind which one (Donington ?).
The Phoenix people succeeded in creating something attractive based on existing (and already aging) vehicles. Joining Le Mans was a tremendous experience too. I’m convinced that, would the Tony Blair administration had agreed to supporting the company in its cooperation project with a Chinese carmaker, the MG Rover Group would still be alive today and, probably, in the same league as Volvo today.
I worked for the film company that shot most of this footage. FYI filmed at TRL track nr. Windsor, much of this video was shot for the Geneva Motor Show Launch. The green car was yellow the day before! we were told not to shoot too close as some details were not finished like hub badges, the ZT even had the rear silencer bonded to the floor & smoked for a while, we have some great footage of it in the snow but not used as they didn't want anyone to know when they were filmed. The TT was a photographic vehicle only & not fit for the road so only filmed on a farm track in dorset, filmed when we were doing a later video. They didn't want to use the footage at thhe docks around 'rusting metal' We did a crew only video one day i'll post it.
Still drive my ZS120 here in Holland.
Great car, no major problems
I miss the Rover smell ,it was addictive 👍
I know what you mean, the 75 has that as well
I went to a dealership in Edinburgh called Alex F. Noble and Son and I then first purchased a brand new Rover Streetwise diesel, and my dad test drove a MG ZT-T which he really liked and loved. However, due to his disability he found it slightly difficult to get in and out of the vehicle. Shortly later on my dad and I went to Halifax purchased a MG ZS 120+ automatic for my dad’s friend who was needing an automatic car.
Still own and drive my ZR105 and loving it ! No major issues
Well done Tom!
Love this video, I have a 2005 ZS 120 with 39,000 miles on it that I bought as a small project about a year ago along with my V8 swapped series 2 Land Rover, I am 6’4 so I don’t really fit very well in the MG, but I love it and it always draws questions and ppl who don’t know much about MG tend to ask if it’s a BMW which is a bit ironic, I honestly just wanted something slightly unique and cool as a daily driver throughout college and when I saw it I was blown away as I hadn’t seen one in years so I had to have it!
Thanks! I’d love a ZS myself.
Owned a ZR160 for 8 years, cracking car to drive! Cost me £10k ex demk, went out to buy an Aprilia RSV and bought this driving past the dealer. Changed the headgasket before it went 😂
Brilliant Tom, thanks for all your hard work.
Thanks Michael,
They were a stroke of genius, a way to launch a whole new range of cars, hoping to attract a new type of buyer ,for a comparatively small outlay.
They were cool, they were based on sound proven engineering and more importantly were truly British.
Suprised you didn't mention Harris Mann though, that old British Leyland icon worked on the design team of the Z cars although he'd gone freelance by then.
From what I read I couldn’t find anything. Where did you find that Neil?
@@tomdrives In a tribute to him after he passed away, possibly in Practical Classics?
An excellent video, thank you!
Rover did a good job on these although when the facelift came and the rear number plates were moved from the tailgate to the bumper on the ZR and ZS, I thought they'd lost the plot. It looked like, at the time, they'd been given to some teenagers who read Max Power and liked to fill the boot with filler and move the number plates, they just looked terrible, particularly on the ZS.h
A lot of folk say that the ZT was far and away the best, but...having driven a ZT-190 and a Mk 1 ZS-180, I bought the ZS - it's just livelier, more responsive and generally more fun to drive. It's been my daily for the last 4 years, and I can see myself continuing to dump money into it until the day it finally dissolves on my driveway. There just isn't any car (for reasonable money) that gets close to the ZS in terms of sheer driving enjoyment, IMO.
I like the early 2000s MG’s. They seem to have more character than the newer MG’s in my opinion. I personally like V8 Powered ZT260.
Yes they are a lot better then the new cars
Nice video Tom , I’ve got a Rio red ZS 1.8 turbo and a celestial blue VVC ZR, great cars
Thanks for this very precious video. Mg z cars are never considered enough and I speak from a country that has no idea of what these cars are
Loved my 54 plate MG Z-T T 120hp estate as a company car. Bottom of the range T but in bright, fire engine red it was my last company car before I left the computer service industry.
Had an 04 190zt and have to say was one of the best I've owned. 34k on it when bought and 54k when I sold it. Toured all round Britain in it. Only changed the 3belts because of age and normal servicing. Mechanic showed me old belts and said didn't really need done but was a friend so done very cheap. Wish I still had it. Insurance and road tax was the only reason I sold it.
That’s what’s killing these cars, the crazy road tax
The ZT-T is the best looking estate car ever made IMO . They squandered too much money on the failed but gorgeous SV-R
I agree with you about the ZT I love it.
Tom , really enjoy your output. How about an extended 200 BRM video ?
Thanks James, that’s on the cards yes. The 200 BRM, 425 etc
Really loved my ZT 190 especially when the vizmotors worked
There’s a guy selling improved ones now
Hi Tom , great video, I have MG ZS 180+ with Kv6 2.5l this car was the fastest car though out the range . Mg Rover went through the Project Drive with cheapen up parts to save costs , door handles keep breaking and have spare set , Tiff Needel did the review on the Z cars and said Zs was the best handling and positive steering of the range. Regards Mark
,
Thanks Mark, project drive is a shame really.
The story of mg rover still makes me sad, especially as the phoenix consortium walked off with plenty of money, they were the final nail in the coffin.
The whole story is fascinating and just sad as you said.
Great video Tom packed with very interesting info. Always wanted a MGZT 190 or 260. At the moment I have a 05 Contemporary se diesel.. I kind of think it bridges the gap between the 75 & ZT with it's more modern interior and de- chrome. Anyways I love it😊
Thanks Dave, I agree with you the later contemporary cars are the perfect mix of both.
From memory, the ZT variant out sold it's Rover 75 sister by Ten to One.
😊
Imagine if they did a convertible/coupe version of ZT like they planned with the Rover 75. I can imagine they would have been high performance versions to compete with some similar coupe and convertible models in their class like the Mercedes C class coupe/convertible and the BMW 3 series coupe/convertible.
I had a zt 190 in brg facelift. I adored that car. Used to love just taking out because I could. Also loved the fact that when the seat was on the deck you couldn't see me over the dash (I'm 5ft4) the amount of times I got pulled over. I miss it so much. Sadly it became victim to a dumb tart in a discovery jumping a red light
Sad to hear it got written off….
another great video , i actually miss my firefrost zs180 , it was a saloon but with the smaller wing never liked the tea shelf wing
Thanks Jon, I’m a big wing sort of person for the ZS.
loved that
From 90 to 05 i was a metrology technician.quality engineer.for Rover in 1 of their Foundries. In 15 years or so hardly anyone bought Rovers or MGs even with our Fat staff discount , when offers were on , on top of our staff discount we could have near enough cars at half price.. Only cars anyone bought was 75s and ZTs and the odd ZR & ZS. For staff that did buy them the car had to be kept a minimum of a year.
My late father bought a brand new 52 plate MG ZR 120 through my staff discount , think in 2003 it was about £6 grand , looked great in bright blue and was still.immaculate when he sold it at 10 years old, the car had a very strange spec coming.with an electric sunroof.& Mirrors 17" alloys but windy Windows.
Just sold my ZS180 from 2002. It was my firt car, I truly miss it
I owned a Rover 414 L reg and a Rover 45 1.4 both good and reliable cars and never let me down unlike Ford and Vauxhall.
Thanks Tom , great vid
Like I say guy rnd my way has a ZTT in British racing Green
Thanks Matthew, sounds like he has taste
@@tomdrives mate like I say , the Amount of 75s , iv seen about , even a beige v8 🙈
Blimey Tom, do you ever sleep? 😊Thanks for this… I learned some new things. The whole range was a great achievement for MGR given the resources at their disposal. Still trying to decide whether the racing program of the era was a brilliant and cohesive marketing strategy or a ruinous corporate jolly …
I’m constantly looking at this stuff! Biggest issue is not sleep for me it’s that I end up getting too obsessed with them! :)
It certainly was a stroke of genius releasing those three models. Such a shame it wasn't enough to save them. The Rover 25 Streetwise deserves a special mention too, possibly the first 'crossover' car and quite ahead of its time. With hindsight Phoenix should have given up on its mass production dreams and just concentrated on the specialist MG cars, but if they did that the amount of jobs lost would've been dramatic, though they would probably still be around today. Sad state of affairs altogether.
The streetwise was ahead of its time I agree!
I always enjoy listening to your videos. The scripted bits are excellent.
The MG cars were nothing more than prolonging the death of a company that was dying. They weren’t great cars. They were cheap cars. I know because I was buying cars at that time. The only people that bought cars with a K series engine were those who knew it was under warranty. I know you like to think they were massive engineering successes, but basically these were built off the back of cars Honda design probably 15 years earlier.
It doesn’t make them bad cars, even now I think I would like a ZTT.
MG Rover were living on old cars with borrowed money. It was always going to implode.
Thanks Tony, also thanks for the comment. It did have an air of inevitability about it all.
@@tomdrives British Leyland, in its many disguises, had the nine lives of a cat, and still failed to learn its lesson.
I would love to see more about the prototypes that never became real cars
A personal favourite is a Rover Metro with the modified bodywork. I’m sure you know the one from ARonline. Not to mention the Metro Scout, mini SUV and the crossover version of the Montego estate with a Discovery style back.
Keep up the good work and keep up the good work on the SD1
I had a 3500 SE back in the late 80s, at the time when you could buy them for 150 quid
My MV ZT (MG52 ERS, red, chicken wire grill, wing, 2.5 litre) was the best car i ever owned. Loved it. Sadly had to get rid due to cost of running and life issues (it turns out change of wife is even more expensive than change of car😂)...... But I have the memories! BMW have a lot to answer for - asset stripping leaving not quite enough resource to keep the company going, and then being screwed over by the chinese. Shame!
I still don't believe that the Chinese ever intended to be a true partner and that it's intension was always to own MG lock , stock, and barrel.
I still drive my rover 75 here in Holland
I remember these we got them in Aus
I wonder if any are still around
Still got one 60,000 miles
I can't help but wonder what the alternate history would've been if Alchemy and Partners had bought MG Rover instead, and basically scrapped the Rover brand to just focus on the MG range. I think by 2000, the Rover brand was too heavily associated with pipe and slippers to be brought back by any exciting new models, whereas the MG brand clearly had the far greater cache (and plus the MG Z-cars hid their age far better than their Rover equivalent models, IMO). Maybe it would've freed up the money needed to properly bring MG into the 2000s.
See I do agree with you, they would be something quite interesting to find out.
I think as a low volume production the MGs could’ve worked but Longbridge wouldn’t be nearly what it was 2000-2005
Such a shame. Really needed new chassis. Above needed money! The 75 was too near the 3 series for BMW's comfort.
Shareholders greed destroyed mg rover fact 😮😢
There were multiple factors at play I’m afraid
Can you still find unmolested ones in the UK and Europe? I’m curious 👀
Yes, there’s some nice ones around
I had the mk1 and mk2 zs I loved the mk1 the most was better built
I know I may seem a bit backward but can someone tell me what the ZTZS and ZR actually stands for there must be something for it to be called out and I still got my Z t's MA rover 75 I love them drove rovers Rovers since 1983
From what I’ve read;
Z is the range (not sure what that stands for)
R is Rally (hence the ZRs rally heritage)
S is Sports (referring to the BTCC ZS)
T is touring (Referring to the DTM ZT that MG hoped to build)
It sounds plausible but I can’t confirm it
Or it could simply stand for nothing but just sounds cool, I’d take both with a pinch of salt as we’ve got no way of verifying
Except they didnt live on they all broke down lol quite a rare sight on the roads now
It was the strikes every other day that fkd rover
Before this yes, it was a very complex decline
Worked for Clarkes MG Rover in Kidderminster and as a biker i hated them
My freinds Father worked at longbridge and lost everything under Phoenix and that destroyed him but today i own 120 which i love this was a total disaster of car building and politics but some great cars were created 🤔
Sad to hear about your friend’s father, it’s important to remember the people behind it.
Do you really believe the Phoenix Group actually thought by putting MG badges on the old line up with a few minor tweaks would save Rover? Or did they bleed it dry and leave it for dead. The old mustang engine in the Z260 was a joke when the old Buick V8 was kicking out 450 in a TVR. Thanks for the money, bye bye UK owned car mass production. Wake up Tom, cut the nostalgia, they walked off with millions and left thousands unemployed.
Thanks for the comment David but you don’t know my opinion of the Phoenix Consortium. I do agree with you but my aim is to recognise the people that didn’t walk off with millions.
In my opinion the M.G Z cars were developed to late. B.M.W took what they believed to be the best of the Rover group and left scraps behind. M.G could definitely hold its own today as a niche sports car brand. It’s a shame that it’s now a cheap and nasty E.V brand.
a crying shame for british industry tom
It is
It was all about asset stripping British jobs Rover, Peoguet, Massy Fergerson by the European union to give poorer European countries jobs look at land rover making cars in the EU we could do with them jobs grrr
Since joining what became the EU the de-industrialisation of the UK has never stopped. In the EU's grand plan the UK would do financial services. Where is that centred ? London which did very well during EU membership. The rest of the country has been left behind. Hence the massive vote to Remain in London whereas the rest of the country voted Leave.
Peugeot etc closed their British factories even though they were the most productive. They kept the French factories of course. This was not anything to do with the EU but completely due to, well, national sovereignty. The UK government didn’t care and the French had labour laws that made closing factories expensive.
@@davidvestey6014 sounds like the French are more patriotic / nationalistic than the British. At least we can boast that we're well ahead of cutting carbon emissions by de-industrialisation of the North West, North East, , East Midlands, West Midlands , South Wales as the South East and London carries on regardless in their entitled and over indulged ivory towered bubble !
Heard of punctuation and sentences but disagree with the concepts, huh?
The word incredible means 'lacks credibility'. There is everything credible about a desperate company sticking badges onto boring saloons and giving them a bit of a performance boost. After all, they'd been badge engineering since the days of the Austin and Morris merger.