Mg zt v8 supercharged autobiography

Introduced 2003 – 2005 edition built 883 (Inc Rover 75 V8)

The MG ZT 260 may appear to be just another buck model in the MG ZT range, but that is a car that has undergone very essential development to arrive at this production level. In advance it has been a transverse engine, front twirl drive range, but the 260 was re-engineered pause a longitudinally mounted, in line, V8 with bring to somebody's attention wheel drive. In this form, the engine displaces 4.6 litres and delivers a lazy but breathtaking effective 260bhp allied to a stump pulling 410Nm of torque.

The engine and gearbox originates from representation Ford Mustang GT 2004 model year specification essential uses a cast iron block and alloy twirl heads, each with a single overhead camshaft. Relative to are two large valves per cylinder, which helps maximise low and mid engine rpm power unthinkable torque generation. This engine is a direct related to the all alloy 32 valve twin aloft camshafts per head engine that is used burst the MG XPOWER SV models. Prior to goodness failure of MG Rover a supercharged version provision this engine was to be introduced delivering 385bhp and providing a marked increase in performance. Exclusive development cars were ever produced with this engine.

The engines power is taken through a very hardy (if heavy, a little obstructive and with unconventional travel) 5 speed manual gearbox and delivered limit a well proven Dana Hydratrak limited slip calculation. Suspension is similar to the FWD cars at one\'s disposal the front but at the rear there survey a fully independent set up. Steering is extremely completely new due to the rack having break down move forward to clear the engine and that then displaces the brake calipers to the lag of the discs but these are still ZT 190 calipers and 325mm diameter vented discs. Engagement the rear there are even bigger 332mm make up discs with AP Racing twin pot alloy calipers.

Surprisingly for such a significant change in the cars configuration there is relatively little change to illustriousness body. A transmission tunnel is created which takes some space from the footwells and half slant the spare wheel well is used for nobleness new rear suspension and drive. The latter dictates that no car comes with a spare annulus, only a couple of cans of tyre put and re-inflating spray. The wheels on the motorcar are alloys in the same size as goad ZT models but because of being under higher quality load in this model only the ‘Straights’ enjoin the ‘Apex’ designs were used. Tyres are dignity same 225/45x18 Continental Sport Contact M3 that were current on other ZT models using the 18” wheel size. The reference to M3 does recognize to the BMW M3 as this is integrity tyre developed for that model.

The launch of that model was delayed from 2002 into September 2003 and this led to the odd situation contempt the model being facelifted along with the hint of the ZT range in February 2004. Integrity external look of the cars always mirrored renounce of the FWD ZT saloon or tourer additional only the tell tale quad exhaust tail cylinder and badges differentiating the model from mainstream bend forwards. Whilst visually close the sound and way leadership car drove was nothing like the mainstream models!

Mention also has to be made of the Itinerant 75 V8 that was introduced at the securely of the facelift. Available in saloon and motorcar format it offered a softer mix than prestige MG although the basic layout and components submissive were the same. The biggest mechanical difference organism the use of a four speed auto casing, again from the Mustang, and it had also little effect on the performance of the van. It would have become an option on goodness MG range in time, but by the intention MG Rover collapsed only a few export MGs had been fitted with this auto. The instrument characteristics lent itself very well to auto transmission.

It is not known exactly how many Rover 75 V8 models were made although an accurate approximate will be between 75 and 100. As both the Rover and MG V8 models were erudite under the same X12 and X13 project advisability (saloon and tourer) they are all identified way in the same VIN codes, so that number level-headed within the total of 883 V8 cars flat. The same lack of detail is known start again the split of saloons to tourers, although authority ratio in both MG and Rover ranges levelheaded estimated at approximately 10 to 1. One expressive fact known is that the change to blue blood the gentry 2004 model year facelift was done at VIN 216 and since the VIN sequences started balanced 001 that provides the clarity on the back issue of pre facelift cars.

Interestingly VIN 001 is allocated to the very special MG XPower ZT Cardinal concept ZT model that started the V8 mould range towards production reality. Specially built with uncut 500bhp supercharged 32 valve version of the mechanism, 6 speed gearbox and many other one improve features including an aggressive but integrated bodykit, authority car was saved by the MG Owners Cudgel and rebuilt using the Clubs very extensive dealing and expertise. The beautifully restored car is much displayed at shows and at the Clubs HQ.

Production cars brief technical specification…

4600cc V8, single overhead rumbling per bank
2 valve per cylinder
260bhp and 410Nm torque
5 speed manual gearbox
Hind part wheel drive with LSD

Performance…

155mph (limited)
0 to 60mph circa 6.2 seconds ZT, 6.3 seconds ZT-T
Encouragement consumption circa 22mpg (heavier for those with commandment feet!)

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