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RELEASE IMMEDIATE

May 18, 2004

MG EXTENDS SPORTS APPEAL WITH NEW-LOOK ZR

A new exterior and interior style is announced today (May 18) for the latest MG ZR, the UK’s most popular Super-mini, hot-hatch, in preparation for its show debut at next week’s Sunday Times Motor Show Live in Birmingham. Order placements are now possible through MG Rover dealers with first deliveries from July.

Full specification details and images of this latest MG ZR are available from the dedicated media website: www.media.mg-rover.com.

Key features include:

· Distinctive new exterior style, featuring clear lens covered twin headlamps

· New high quality fascia design, incorporating four styled circular air vents

· Improved dynamic driving experience and value for money specification

A new front bumper design is accompanied by new clear lens covered twin halogen headlamps that give a cleaner and more sculpted exterior form. Substantial changes are made to the rear with a new boot and bumper style, complemented by new alloy wheels and centre-line badging. On the inside, a new fascia design houses four circular air vents and a new centre console.

The new ZR completes a brand evolution of the MG product portfolio in the marque’s 80^th anniversary year. The clean and bold lines of the latest ZR produce a contemporary sports style that evolves consistently through the range with the latest ZS and ZT, and traces through to the SV supercar.

MG ZR Product Detail Index

· Product summary

· New features and summary

· Specification summary, by model

· Performance, fuel economy and CO₂

· Pricing, including options

Product Summary

The exterior style changes to the new MG ZR include a new front bumper design, a deeper integral SV look front grille and a tough clear lens protecting twin halogen headlamps in a black surround, that combine to give the ZR a fresh and sports focussed, modern appearance.

At the rear, the treatment is just as effective, with a new, more angular rear bumper, housing the re-positioned number plate and a clean-panel rear tailgate, with centrally mounted MG brand and ZR model identity badging. This gives a more defined rear appearance, with its standard-fit spoiler for a refreshed design style. Other exterior changes include the tailgate lift handle now incorporated into the rear wiper assembly design and body coloured side rubbing strips with ZR model identity badging. A blacked out lower feature and stainless steel exhaust heat shield creates an authentic effect, with 160 models also featuring rear bumper extensions on the corners by the rear wheel arch.

Inside, the high quality and stylish cabin features a new fascia design, centre console, soft touch switchgear and an array of technology features. The new fascia houses four circular styled air vents that give definition and feature to the centre and ends of the fascia, each with a satin chrome finish.

New Features

Improved Driving Experience

The latest ZR models all feature a more responsive and improved brake feel. A lower positioned clutch pedal improves driver ergonomics and throttle pedal set-up has been changed on petrol and diesel models to match the engine responsiveness of this pocket-rocket sports hatch. Steering is also much sharper with improved
H-frame toe and camber geometry and the fitment of a new specification rear suspension bush material.

A new 16” Gridspoke wheel is available on entry-level ZR models, while the 160 is available with the 17” Straights alloy wheel.

Convenience – Remote Activated Boot Release

A new feature for the ZR is the plip activated electronic tailgate release feature, a convenience that allows the owner easier access to the rear of the car.

Secure Technology for Greater Security and Locking

Auto relocking – if the car is locked/armed and the unlock button is subsequently pressed, the car will automatically lock and re-arm if no doors are opened within
30 seconds. This protects against accidental unlocking of the vehicle.

Speed locking (also known as drive away locking) can be configured so that the doors automatically lock when the vehicle speed is greater than 3mph/5km/h. The doors remain locked when the vehicle is stationary and can be unlocked by the master lock button or by turning the engine off. The alarm system uses a battery backed up sounder, located within a shielded enclosure and protected with tamper proof fixings, which will activate if the power supply is tampered with.

Audible mislock – features a short horn sound if door / tailgate / bonnet are open when the vehicle is locked with the key or remote. Automatic Engine immobilisation is activated after the ignition is switched off.

Master Locking Switch

This new feature to MG ZR is located above the switches in the new centre console. It offers a greater degree of security as the car can instantly lock all of the doors, regardless of ignition or engine state, with a single press of the button.

A panic alarm can be triggered by pressing the Master Locking Switch for two seconds – locking all doors, activating the alarm sounder and flashing the hazard lamps. It is de-activated by another two-second press or by pressing the plip.

Remote locking feature

The new remote plip has a changing lock/unlock code every time it is used. No thief could record (or capture) the code then use it later on. A new design of plip now features lock, unlock and remote tailgate release opening. It can be operated with the alarm armed or disarmed. The alarm rearms when the tailgate is closed, with hazard warning lamps flashing to indicate this security. The latest plip design has a greater operating range.

Safety – ABS/EBD

All MG ZRs have ABS (anti-lock braking system) and EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) as standard. EBD helps to ensure that the rear brakes contribute as much braking force as possible, equalising the braking forces.

Key Competitors

Renault Clio, Ford Fiesta, VW Polo, Peugeot 206 and Vauxhall Corsa.

Exterior Colours

Solid: Trophy Yellow, new Rio Red

Metallic: Starlight Silver and XPower Grey

Pearlescent: Royal Blue, Goodwood Green, British Racing Green, Black Pearl, new Firefrost red and Ignition Blue

New Features Summary

Exterior

· New front bumper design

· New larger integral front grille

· New clear lens cover twin halogen headlamps

· Body coloured side rubbing strips with brushed steel ZR identity

· New rear bumper design housing number plate

· New tailgate design incorporating distinctive MG and ZR badging

· Remote plip activated hatchback-opening release

· New 16” Gridspoke alloy wheels

· Thatcham approved security wheel locking nuts

Interior

· New fascia design with four stylish rotary air vents with satin chrome finish

· New fascia console with soft-touch switches

· Revised seat fabrics

· Master locking switch and drive-away locking for occupant security

New MG ZR Specification Summary, model by model

105/120/TD

105 - 1.4-litre (103Ps) engine

120 - 1.8-litre (117Ps) engine

TD - 2.0-litre turbo-diesel (101Ps) engine

Suspension and Steering

Front: independent MacPherson strut suspension with telescopic dampers

Front anti roll bar

Rear: independent torsion beam H frame

Power assisted steering

Safety and Brakes

Driver’s airbag and five lap and diagonal seat belts

ABS with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution)

Interior

Electric front windows

All Ash coloured fascia condition

Matrix fabric seat facings on entry model and ‘+’ models

New Axis material for ZR 160

Stylish new seat pattern, using horizontal sew lines on squab and cushion

Door casings incorporate coloured inserts to match seats (neutral, blue or green)

New glovebox design with satin chrome handle

New centre console with unique Technical Grey finish

Satin aluminium painted HEVAC knobs, floor bezels

Centre console now includes additional storage space under ICE unit

New floor console with satin aluminium electric window switch surround

Rotary styled air vents with satin chrome finish

60/40 split folding rear seat back

Locks and Security

Remote central door locking with Plip controlled remote tailgate release function

Passive engine immobilisation

Auto relocking and speed locking functions

Master locking/unlocking switch including personal panic attack alarm mode

Thatcham approved security wheel locking nuts

Body and Exterior Features

Body coloured side rubbing strips incorporating ZR badging identity

Body coloured front and re-styled rear bumpers

Union/chequered flag badge on D posts

Clear lens twin halogen headlamps

ZR+ models

Additional specification features over entry models:

Kenwood single slot CD Tuner

Air conditioning

Leather steering wheel

Front fog lights

Driver’s seat height and lumbar support

Electric adjustable/heated door mirrors

ZR 160

1.8-litre (160Ps) engine with Variable Valve Control

Additional specification features over ZR+:

17" Straights alloy wheels

Axis part-leather seats

Rear head restraints

Rear electric windows

Sculpted side sill finishers and rear bumper extensions

Twin exhaust pipes

Close-ratio gearbox

Uprated brakes

MG ZR - Performance, Fuel Economy and CO₂

Engines 105 120 120 160 TD 115 TD

Stepspeed

Transmission Man Man CVT Man Man Man

Capacity cc 1396 1796 1796 1796 1994 1994

Max Power Ps 103 117 117 160 101 113

@rpm 6000 5500 5500 6900 4200 4200

Max Torque Nm 123 160 160 174 240 260

@rpm 4500 2750 2500 4700 2000 2000

Max engine speed rpm 6800 6800 6000 7100 4500 4500

Performance

0-60mph secs 10.0 8.6 9.5 7.4 9.7 9.1

30-50 4th secs 9.5 6.4 - 6.9 6.3 6.2

50-70 4th secs 10.7 7.1 - 7.3 7.0 6.5

Max Speed (mph) mph 111 119 112 131 114 116

Fuel Economy

Urban mpg 31.1 29.0 24.5 27.1 39.2 36.7

l/100km 9.1 9.7 11.5 10.4 7.2 7.7

Extra Urban mpg 51.1 51.1 45.9 48.7 68.3 67.3

l/100km 5.5 5.5 6.2 5.8 4.1