MG Rover has transformed the ZT190 into a rear-wheel drive muscle car with a 191 kW 4,6-litre V8 Ford Mustang engine under the bonnet. But its price, R475 000, is not for the faint hearted.
MG Rover has transformed the ZT190 into a rear-wheel drive muscle car with a 191 kW 4,6-litre V8 Ford Mustang engine under the bonnet. But its price, R475 000, is not for the faint hearted.
CARtoday.com reported last year that the sleek yet muscular MG ZT260 was released into the UK market at the end of September 2003. The MG’s flagship was this week launched in South Africa, complete with extensive updates to the ZT190’s steering, braking, air intake, exhaust and emissions control systems to match the performance of the V8, which produces 410 N.m of torque.
MG Rover SA claims the car will go from zero to 100km/h in 6,2 seconds and achieve a top speed of 232km/h.
Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a Tremec five-speed manual gearbox. The ZT260 has MacPherson strut front suspension, equipped with Eibach springs, a new, larger diameter anti-roll bar and Bilstein dampers.
The multi-link rear suspension was developed for the ZT260 V8 – a new six-mount subframe houses the Hyrdratrak differential and each wheel is located by three lateral links and a light-alloy trailing arm. Stopping power is courtesy of an ABS system with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD).
With its large body-coloured grille and signature twin headlamps positioned within the sculpted front end, the ZT260 is an imposing sight, rounded off with 18-inch inch alloy wheels, 325mm ventilated discs at the front, with AP-Racing brake callipers.
Standard specification for the ZT260 will include: cruise control, climate control, electrically operated driver and front passenger’s seats, windows and mirrors, rain sensing wipers, Harmann Kardon sound system and MP3 player, automatic-dimming mirror and traction control. Satellite navigation with TV function and sunroof are optional extras.
