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Under a tie up with Shanghai Automotive, China's largest car manufacturer, MG looks set to get its first ever 4x4 vehicle.
It will be a redesigned and re-engineered version of the Rexton, a 4x4 produced by Korean firm Ssang Yong, who were recently taken over by Shanghai Automotive.
As part of the planned deal with MG Rover, Shanghai Automotive will allow them to transform the Rexton into an MG to be sold in the UK and China.
The 4.6 litre V8 MG 4x4 will take on the likes of BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne at the performance end of the sports utility market. But with a much reduced price tag starting at around £25,000 for a smaller 2.5 litre V8 version.
November 20004
CONCEPT COUPE .
MG-Rover have produced a concept Rover 75 Coupe to celebrate its Centenary. You can bet that if it ever gets into production an MG version will be close behind.
"Beautiful …. The new 75 coupe looks as good as a Bentley Continental", that's what The Sun had to say on Friday 17th November 2004 about the Rover 75 Coupe.
MG-Rover themselves say "Britishness, understated elegance and always an interior that is undeniably 'a better place to be' are Rover virtues that have come together in the Rover 75 Coupe concept car.
The company's design team wanted to mark the first 100 years of the Rover marque with a stylish design that would sit confidently as the latest in the line of renowned Rovers like the P4, the handsome P5 coupe, the innovative P6 2000 model and the bold SD1 hatchback. Read more November 2004
"2004 - NEW LOOK MG-ZS".
A new year and a new look, click here to see the official release notes & pictures.
MG-Rover Group - News & Views
"MG ANNIVERSARY INFORMATION".
In 2004, MG celebrates its ‘Octagon decades’ – 80 years of car production. Key 80th Anniversary dates in 2004 include:
1st May 1924 - Octagon 1st registered as an MG trademark
9th May 2004 - MG Regency Run (1000 MG cars drive from 3 locations to Brighton)
22/23 May 2004 - MG Owners Club event at Brands Hatch
23-25 July 2004 - MG Car Club, Silverstone (biggest gathering of MGs in the world)
(April 2004)
"JONATHAN PALMER CHOOSES MG ".
Having recently purchased Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Snetterton and Cadwell Park race circuits, MotorSport Vision is now the market leader in driving experience events and is already initiating substantial changes to revitalise the motor race circuits business for the future. MotorSport Vision is completely revamping its retail motorsport experience programme and has chosen MG Rover and its sporting brand MG to provide more exciting cars for its guests to drive at Brands Hatch and Oulton Park.
In the MG ZR and ZS models, motorsport enthusiasts will have a choice of two of the finest sporting car ranges available for their track day experience. They can then follow that up with high-speed demonstration laps in the latest rear-wheel-drive
ZT 260 V8. Motorsport Vision has also selected the ZT 260 V8 for Course Car duties at race meetings and the ZT-T estate for a quick-responding Doctor's Car.
John Parkinson, Managing Director, MG Sport & Racing Limited, commented: "MG, fundamentally a sports motoring brand, has a key role to play in the perpetuation of British enthusiasm for motorsport. This new alliance is a win-win for both parties, with the real winner being the enthusiast himself."
Jonathan Palmer, Managing Director, MotorSport Vision, said: "The circuit driving experiences available to the public at Brands Hatch and Oulton Park are already popular with some 20,000 participants per year experiencing the thrill of driving on two of the most dramatic circuits in the world. Like MG, the names of all our circuits are steeped in British motorsport history and we share a commitment to build on our reputations for providing affordable driving exhilaration."
"During our product evalution process I drove both the MG ZR and ZS models at Brands Hatch and the driving experience was so satisfying even to me as a former F1 driver that I kept just wanting to do one more lap! I was particularly impressed by the chassis that provided great turn in on cornering with none of the frustrating understeer that can dog many cars on a circuit. Our instructors think the same so of course our participants in our new RaceMaster activites run at Brands Hatch and Oulton Park are having the thrill of their life!
"We will run around 150 race events at our circuits this year and as part of our drive to provide a more professional and entertaining show with a smart coherent presentation all MotorSport Vision circuits will have an MG ZT 260 V8 for Course Car duties and the ZT-T estate for a quick-responding Doctor's Car.
"MotorSport Vision is delighted to be supported by MG as partner. To develop this interest with British product at great British circuits is a huge bonus, and is one that may even help identify another British Champion."
A partnership of motorsport enthusiasts is the thread that runs through the entire MG car business. From its inception 80 years ago to the current day, MG has built sporting cars which enthusiasts can compete in and win. Its current products are regularly campaigned through MG Sport & Racing Limited in a number of motorsport disciplines that include rallying and circuit racing. MG ZRs won the GpN class in the UK round of the 2003 World Rally Championship, the Wales Rally GB, and MG ZSs won races last year and took eight fastest laps in the hugely competitive British Touring Car Championship.
The arrival of the MG XPower SV, itself a race-developed chassis using specialist composite light-weight materials has a clear competitive pedigree.
Promoting British talent is already an MG objective, with the recent MG ZR rally Scholarship programme, which is a unique opportunity for young drivers to win a drive in a competitive rally championship and, for the eventual winner, a drive in a works MG ZR rally car. A truly outstanding initiative.
MG has a larger worldwide enthusiast club following than any other brand (c100,000 members) and its products are either race-developed or proven on the track, with a continuous track development programme.
The arrangement with MotorSport Vision provides MG with a prominent presence at its four circuits; Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Cadwell and Snetterton. The 'RaceMaster' programme will use MG ZR and ZS road cars for the circuit driving days, which is expected to draw a potential of 20,000 people annually, to enjoy and learn motorsport at an elementary level. Hot lap demonstrations in the new MG ZT 260 V8 will leave any prospect wanting more.
John Parkinson, added: "Enthusiasm for motorsport is a key aspect in MG ownership, so to have a relationship with great British circuits in the UK is important to us. With the MG ZR the UK's best-selling hot-hatch and the TF roadster the UK's best-selling sports car, it makes perfect sense to support this enthusiasm for enjoying the thrill of driving."
(January 2004
"MG's LATEST ZT RANGE DELIVERS A MODERN PRESENCE AND SPORTS CHARACTER ".
MG Rover Group announces a revised and more stylish new MG ZT range, for dedicated sports enthusiasts. The range encompasses a choice of modern saloon and estate cars, with in-line 4-cylinder, V6 and V8 engines. New alloy wheel designs, instrumentation, seat fabrics and traffic management systems combine to increase specification, excitement and value of the latest ZT range.
Key visual changes focus naturally on the modernised MG character. The aerodynamic front bumper integrates a new MG radiator grille and new halogen projector headlamps generate a prominent identity. A clean surfaced new rear bumper extends the modern theme, with centrally placed model badging above.
Sales of the MG ZT saloon and ZT-T estate were up 28% in 2003, over 2002.
Rob Oldaker , MG Rover Group's Product Development Director, commented: "The MG ZT is an accomplished driving experience range-wide, be it the ZT 120, with its lightweight K Series engine to the 260 V8 with its wonderful soundtrack and awesome 410Nm of torque. The experience is always a thrill. Enthusiasts and determined business individuals will each be inspired by the charismatic dynamics that are available and the new sleeker design that provides a poise of real sporting definition."
Exterior design summary
The new ZT design captures a fresh spirit of style, perpetuating a lineage that can be traced from legendary MGs to the latest MG XPower SV super coupe. The stylish, integrated and more prominent MG grille is clearly DNA linked and set between standard fit, new halogen projector headlamps. Driving lamps and directional indicator repeater lamps are positioned low within the front bumper, which carries a profiled aero lip spoiler along its lower edge.
Exterior body and trim change summary
New front bumper style incorporating new MG grille
New style headlamps, with standard fit halogen projector lamps
A new style indicator and side indicator repeater lamps
New lower grilles in front bumper
New 'centre-line' badging strategy
Union and chequered flag badging positioned on both 'D' posts
190 / V8 badging positioned on front fenders of V6 and 260 models
New range of attractive alloy wheel designs
New clean-edge rear bumper design and lower tailgate profile
Uprated security features, including locking wheel bolts
Increased paint colour range, including new colours
- Black Pearl micatallic
- Firefrost Red micatallic
- Goodwood Green pearlescent
12 New Monogram paint colours in a range of 24 exclusive shades
Interior summary
MG ZT models carry a distinct interior environment, combining body-hugging sports seats and a clear fascia layout, now using a special Technical Grey finish. Black Oak treatment on the fascia and console is a new option, complemented by a Black Oak wood steering wheel. Burr Walnut can also be specified. New instrument graphics are now backlit illuminated in blue.
120, 160, 180 Sports Auto, CDTi and 190 models feature a new ' Summit ' fabric sports seat. Black leather trimmed sports seats are standard on SE derivatives. Rear passenger entry, egress and accommodation are improved with better foot and knee clearance from re-profiled seat cushions and squabs.
A leather and alloy gearknob , centre armrest with central storage, pollen filter and air conditioning are standard, with TrafficMaster Traffic Alert and TrafficMaster Smartnav navigation a UK model option.
Interior trim and equipment includes:
Sports seats with Summit centre fabric
Sports leather rimmed steering wheel
Leather and alloy finish gearknob
Perforated leather handbrake grip
Technical Grey fascia and console finish
Rear centre armrest
Driver's seat height and lumbar adjustment
Centre armrest with storage
Rear seat load-though flap
Bright doorsill tread strips
Other key features include:
Sports suspension
Rear lip spoiler (saloon)
Solar controlled rear window glazing
Air conditioning
Pollen filter
Courtesy light 'wake up' at unlock
Courtesy light auto on with engine off
Courtesy light off delay
Pathway illumination facility
Accessory socket provision
Standard fit CD tuner
Central door locking, with plip controlled superlocking and opening
Single point entry facility and interior master locking switch
Automatic driveaway secure locking
Perimetric alarm system with passive arming/disarming
Features unique to ZT saloon
One-piece folding rear seat backrest
Double hinged boot lid for wide opening and easy access
Internal electric boot release button
Storage provision in rear centre armrest
Features unique to ZT-T estate
60/40 split folding rear seat backrest
Retractable carrying hooks in loadspace sidewall
Loadspace floor lashing points
Roller blind loadspace cover
Plip unlock of tailgate and tailgate glass
Rear wash-wipe with auto-on in reverse
Illuminated underfloor loadspace compartment
Features unique to ZT/ZT-T 120
17" 5-spoke alloy wheels with 215/50x17 tyres
Concealed rear exhaust
Features on both ZT/ZT-T
Exhaust cut-out in bumper with heatshield finisher (CDTi/160/180/190)
Twin exhaust with bright tailpipe finishers (CDTi/160/180/190)
18" 'Grid Spoke' alloy wheels with 225/45 ZR18 tyres (CDTi/160/180)
Ventilated rear disc brakes (180/190/260)
18" '11 Spoke' alloy wheels with 225/45 ZR18 tyres (190/260)
Further uprated braking and chassis specification (190/260)
Additional features unique to 260
260Ps 4.6-litre V8 producing 410Nm torque at 4000rpm
Quad exhaust with heatshield finishers in bumper outlets
V8 and 260 ingot badging
Automatic temperature control air conditioning
Instant Tyre Repair system
Volumetric alarm with battery back-up for alarm sounder
'+' Pack models - additional features
ATC (automatic temperature control) air conditioning (full climate control with individual front temperature controls and adjustable rear vents)
CD autochanger and radio cassette player (instead of CD tuner)
Electric rear windows
Loadspace safety net (ZT-T only)
SE (Special Equipment) models - additional features
ATC (automatic temperature control) air conditioning (full climate control with individual front temperature controls and adjustable rear vents)
CD autochanger and radio cassette player (instead of CD tuner)
Electric (front and) rear windows
Loadspace safety net (ZT-T)
Front side head airbags (ITS)
18" 'Apex' 10-spoke alloy wheels with shadow finish and 225/45 ZR18 tyres
Highline satellite navigation, trip computer, TV and teletext
Powered glass slide/tilt sunroof with blind and one-shot function
Black leather seat facings, heated front seats with power adjustment
Cruise control
Message centre instruments
Traction Control and heated windscreen washer jets
Auto-dimming rear view mirror
Rain sensing wipe system
Rear parking distance sensors
TrafficMaster Traffic Alert®
Xenon gas discharge headlamps with dynamic levelling and powerwash
For security and peace of mind, Superlocking disables door and tailgate lock releases and sophisticated electronic networks stand ready to trigger the alarm. In a feature combining safety with convenience, the Saloon's boot can only be opened by the remote control. A robust engine immobiliser and remote control with continuously changing security code complete the anti-theft defences.
Technical specification and performance figures are unaffected by this new model evolution.
Key options
5-speed automatic transmission (CDTi/135 CDTi ) £1,200
Black/metallic/ pearlescent paint finish £450
Fuel burning heater (CDTi/135 CDTi ) £210
Sports suspension £185
CD autochanger £290
Personal Assist ( TrafficMaster Smartnav ® voice navigation) £595
Options pack (ITS, cruise control (not 1.8 models), VIP
(inc. TrafficMaster Traffic Alert), xenon headlamps) £995
Option pack (as above) on '+' models £1,195
Highline navigation £2,325
MG ZT and ZT-T exterior colours
Solar Red, Royal Blue or XPower Grey, Starlight Silver, Black Pearl , Firefrost Red, Trophy Blue, British Racing Green and Trophy Yellow.
Prices start at £17,225 and rise to £21,595 (01/04)
(27th January 2004)
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