I own a 2005 MG ZS 2.5 V6 180bhp in Firefrost Red pearlescent. I have owned this car since 2011 but haven't used it since 2014 as I purchased a different car and stored this one away.
Let me tell you a bit of background about the MG ZS..
The MG ZS is a sports family car that was built by MG from 2001 until 2005. The ZS is essentially a tuned version of the Rover 45 (which was launched in 1999). The 45 in turn is a facelifted version of the Rover 400 which was launched in hatchback form in 1995 and saloon form in 1996. The earlier version of the 400 (Rover 400 Mk 1) was significantly different to the Mk 2 model. The 45 (Mk 1) had no parts based on the Mk 1 400.
As a Rover, the 45 was optimised for comfort rather than handling — however, as an MG the opposite was the case. The MG ZS 180, offering 175 bhp (130 kW; 177 PS) from the 2.5 L V6 engine and acceleration to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, received favourable reviews in the press, with particular praise for its steering, handling and suspension. Setting the ZS apart from most rivals was the V6 configuration, when most of its rivals were using turbochargers. This added to the aural appeal of the ZS, and added to the desirability of the model MG ZS 180.
In the first few months of 2004, the ZS was facelifted with the rest of the range of MG Rover. 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, all the ZS models had the option of being bodykitted with a kit derived from the MG XPower SV, but this must be bought at the time of purchase, and was a cost option. The cars from the 2004MY also received a revised interior with new seat materials, a new dash design incorporating climate control on the model ZS120+, and the range topping modelMG ZS 180.
The MG ZS ceased production in April 2005, on the collapse of Rover Group and MG Rover, and the rights to make the car were soon repossessed by Honda, who owned the rights to the original design from 1995.
Nanjing Automobile of China bought the remaining assets of MG Rover in July 2005. SAIC Motor had previously acquired some intellectual property rights from MG Rover, so the Chinese Government merged the two companies together, which resulted in the rebirth of MG as MG Motor UK Ltd. They then designed a new model in China, announced in 2009 as the MG6. Built in China and assembled by MG Motor UK at the old MG Rover Longbridge plant, sales started in 2011.
The MG ZS 180 was the flagship car of the ZS range. It was available as a five door hatch or a four door saloon. The 180 included a number of alterations over and above the standard models of ZS, as well as incorporating all of the features of the ZS+ models, the ZS 180 was equipped with a lightweight all alloy 2.5 litre Rover KV6 Engine with quad cams and twenty four valves.
Uprated front and rear brakes 282mm front discs (up from 262mm) and 260mm rear discs (up from 240mm) as well as ABS and EBD, lowered sports suspension with uprated springs and dampers, uprated bushes fitted to front upper and rear trailing arms, 17" sports alloy wheels with 205/45 r17 tyres.
Externally, the 180 can be identified with deep front bumper, with front bib spoiler and fog lamps and sculptured side sills. A large rear spoiler could be substituted for a standard size as a no cost option.
So there is a little in depth history of the MG ZS and what drove me to purchase one back in 2011. I picked up one of the rarest colours, Firefrost Red, which is to this day very rare to find anywhere in the UK.
I have a few plans for the future of this car:
1.To get it back on the road
2. Custom stainless steel duplex exhaust system
3. Forced Induction
4. Uprated suspension (Coilovers)
5. Might change the wheels
6. Custom interior
7. May look into wrapping or Plasti-Dipping
8. Uprated brakes
9. Full engine rebuild
10. Upgrade the audio system
11. Headlight upgrade
12. Tyre lettering kit
13. May even track spec this car one day and remove all of the interior, don't know at this point.
Well, I hope you made it this far through the description, if you did, please hit the subscribe button for more content! I will be making more in depth videos about this car in future videos.
THE MUSIC USED IN THIS VIDEO:
Tristan
The MG ZS 180's 2.5 litre (2497 cc) V6 engine producing 177 PS (130 kW; 175 bhp) & 6500rpm with 240 N·m (177 lb·ft) @ 4000rpm. Giving a 0 to 60 mph of 7.3sec, and a top speed of 139 mph (224 km/h) with a combined fuel economy reading of twenty nine mpg.