The ZT's styling tweaks came from Peter Stevens — the same designer behind the McLaren F1 and the facelifted Lotus Esprit.
Lead trim: ZT 120 1.8 K-Series (118 hp) · up to 187 hp
MG ZT and ZT-T2001–2005
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a MG ZT and ZT-T yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactThe ZT's styling tweaks came from Peter Stevens — the same designer behind the McLaren F1 and the facelifted Lotus Esprit.
The MG ZT is an executive car produced by MG Rover from 2001 to 2005 (27,149 built: 2001 3,510; 2002 6,914; 2003 8,011; 2004 6,844; 2005 1,870) in saloon and estate (ZT-T) versions, based on the Rover 75 (developed as X10 and X11) and launched less than a year after MG Rover's demerger from BMW. Peter Stevens, previously responsible for the McLaren F1 and the X180 Lotus Esprit, restyled the front bumper with an integrated grille, colour-coded the chromed waistline, added a boot plinth and different wheels and tyres, with upgraded suspension and brakes, revised seats and dashboard, and revised engine tuning for the petrol models. There was one trim level, with an optional "Plus" pack, and models were named after engine power in PS (a 160 PS V6 was the ZT 160, a 190 PS V6 with the Plus pack the ZT 190+). The first models were the V6 160 (a software-detuned 177 PS Rover 75 unit) and 190 (a unique KV6 with different camshafts, intake and throttle body); the 180 Auto (a 177 PS KV6 with 190 cam timing and throttle) came in January 2002, the 116 PS BMW M47R diesel (131 PS with an Xpower software upgrade) around August 2002, the 1.8-litre K16 120 in July 2003 and, at about the same time, the 160 turbo replaced the detuned V6. A facelift in early 2004 replaced the twin headlamps with clear single units. In September 2003 a ZT-T with an 800+ bhp Roush V8 became the world's fastest (non-production) estate at 225.609 mph at Bonneville. Concepts included the XPower 385 (385 PS Ford Modular V8, by Prodrive) and the XPower 500 (500 PS supercharged 4.6 V8). The table lists top speeds and 0–62 mph times for the ZT / ZT-T; only the saloon top speed is entered because the 0–62 (not 0–60) times do not fit the catalogue's 0–60 field. The V8 ZT 260 is catalogued separately.
Collectors Spotted in the MG ZT Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the MG ZT yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
6 published trims in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZT 120 1.8 K-Series (118 hp) | 2003–2005 | 1.8 L Inline-4 | 118 hp | 118 lb-ft | — | FWD | — | — |
| ZT 160 1.8 turbo (158 hp) | 2003–2005 | 1.8 L Inline-4 | 158 hp | 159 lb-ft | — | FWD | — | — |
| ZT 180 Auto 2.5 KV6 (175 hp) | 2002–2005 | 2.5 L V6 | 175 hp | 177 lb-ft | — | FWD | — | — |
| ZT 190 2.5 KV6 (187 hp) | 2001–2005 | V6 | 187 hp | 181 lb-ft | — | FWD | — | — |
| ZT CDTi 120 2.0 diesel (114 hp) | 2002–2005 | 2.0 L Inline-4 | 114 hp | 192 lb-ft | — | FWD | — | — |
| ZT CDTi 135 2.0 diesel (129 hp) | 2002–2005 | Inline-4 | 129 hp | 221 lb-ft | — | FWD | — | — |
Owning one
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
MG shoehorned a Ford Mustang V8 into a British executive saloon and sent it to the rear wheels — a conversion so drastic it got its own name, the ZT 260.
The ZT's styling tweaks came from Peter Stevens — the same designer behind the McLaren F1 and the facelifted Lotus Esprit.
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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