The MG ZS (2001-2005) was a sporting family car derived from the Rover 45 (launched in 1999). The 45 was a facelifted version of the Rover 400 which was launched in hatchback form in 1995 and saloon form in 1996. The Rover 400 had much in common with the Honda Civic of 1995-1999. At the time of development, Honda and Rover worked in partnership to design and develop cars for the Japanese and European markets.

The model was rapidly created from the Rover 45 after BMW sold off Rover in 2000. Development of the model was greatly accelerated by the fact that Rover had already created prototypes of the car using V6 engines and sporting suspension setups. In fact, MG-Rover developed MG versions of all three Rover cars on sale at the time. The Rover 25 became the MG ZR, the 45 the ZS and the 75 the ZT.

The Rover 45 donor car did not have a reputation for being a driver's car but the Honda-derived chassis with advanced double-wishbone suspension offered potential for tuning. As a Rover, the company always chose to optimise the car for comfort rather than handling — as an MG this choice was reversed.

Despite being arguably less pretty than the MG ZR and MG ZT in terms of external appearance, the ZS was the real driver’s car of the trio, offering a powerful engine and supple chassis with excellent handling.

Variants and Updates

In 2004 the ZS was facelifted with the rest of the MG-Rover range. The retro design cues adopted when the 400 became the 45 were mostly dropped. For the first time the Rover 45 and MG ZS became noticeably different looking cars – at least in the high specification ZS180 version. Wheelarch extensions, side vents in the wings and other touches delivered a distinctive look for the new ZS. The 2004 model also received a revised interior with new seat materials, a new dash design incorporating climate control on certain models.

The MG ZS and all other MG Rover products have been out of production since 7th April 2005 after the company went into administration. While the company was in administration, Honda, the owners of the majority of the IPR relating to the 45 and ZS seized vital schematics and tooling from Longbridge, despite that fact that the equivalent Honda Civic model had been out of production for five years.

ZS120 Technical Information

1.8-litre manual or Stepspeed transmission

Standard equipment on all ZS models, includes:

Body coloured exterior items:

· Door handles, rear number plate surround, door mirrors

· Aerodynamic boot spoiler, side-rubbing strips, bumper inserts

· Bright mesh main and lower grilles

· 16" ‘Hairpins’ sports alloy wheels

· Electric door mirrors

· Lower sports suspension, sports rated springs and dampers

· Sharp steering response

· Sports cloth seats

· ABS and Electronic brakeforce distribution

· Bright exhaust tailpipe and heat shield

ZS + Technical Information

Additional specification features over the standard ZS 120 model include:

· Air conditioning

· Electric front windows

ZS180 Technical Information

177Ps 2.5-litre V6 with 5-speed manual transmission

Additional spec for ZS 180 model over the ZS+ model:

· Tuned 2.5V6 (177Ps) engine

· Sports ratio gearbox

· 17" ‘Straights’ multi-spoke alloy wheels

· Uprated front (282mm) disc brakes and calipers

· Part leather sports seats

· Leather MG gearknob, steering wheel and handbrake grip

· Extreme rear aerodynamic boot spoiler

· Front bib spoiler

· Sculpted side sill finishers

· Deep front bumper incorporating fog lights