STRIKING NEW-LOOK MG ZS

Full product details and imagery of the striking new MG ZS are released today (April 20) in advance of first deliveries in May. Key features include:

• Bold new front and rear exterior appearance
• New interior and fascia design
• Stunning new body kit, standard on ZS 180 and available as an option

The new ZS style reflects the car’s supremely dynamic nature, merging bold, distinctive lines, with a purposeful stance to create a truly attractive sports saloon. The new front bumper features a striking splitter feature, housing all new twin lens headlamps for enhanced driving illumination. A new ZS 180 body kit includes fender vents, wheelarch and sill extensions to accommodate the wider stance through the new wider 17" multi-spoke alloy wheels.

The new cabin features an all-new fascia and console arrangement, with new instrumentation, switchgear and seat trim designs contributing to a truly sporting driving environment.

The new ZS perpetuates the strong MG family resemblance initiated by the XPower SV sports car and the latest ZT saloon. The new MG ZS will make its public show debut at Motor Show Live, at the NEC, Birmingham (May 27), with order placement now possible through MG Rover dealers and first customer deliveries from May.

The new MG ZS has a striking exterior treatment, combining a sculpted new front bumper, front grille and twin lens headlamps to generate a greater on-road presence, with a more modern style. The front bumper includes an integrated lip spoiler, which substantially improves the stance and aero performance of this sports saloon.

At the rear, the ZS has a new appearance, with a new, more angular rear bumper and rear boot / tailgate treatment with a lower re-positioned number plate position. This lowers the eye-line to give the car a more defined rear, whilst the addition of a rear lip spoiler (to all MG ZSs, both 5dr and 4dr body styles) helps to change the rear profile of the car considerably.

Another major exterior difference on the new MG ZS is the availability of an all new "body kit" treatment, standard on ZS 180 derivatives, and available as an option on the ZS range. This body kit includes front and rear wheelarch spats, front fender vents, and side sill finisher. The features have a major effect on the appearance of the car, giving it a much more muscular appearance and increase the differentiation of the ZS 180 vs the standard cars from the rest of the range, and take-up is expected to exceed demand from the current status.

New 17" 11-spoke alloy wheels are specified on the new ZS 180, and because they have a larger 7.5J rating, effectively improving steering response, they further enhance the already superb chassis handling characteristics. These will be standard on the ZS 180, and an option on the rest of the range when specified as a package with the optional body kit.

The incorporation of a new fascia design transforms the interior of latest MG ZS, and includes satin chrome circular vent treatments that add more definition and a more striking appearance. A new Technical Grey insert finisher completes the sporting character of the cabin.

A key new comfort specification feature introduced on MG ZS is Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) air conditioning. This luxury feature allows the precise desired temperature of the air conditioning to be set, in Fahrenheit or Centigrade, with an external temperature display and solar sensor compensation. The new control panel is fully integrated in the console. This feature is standard on ZS 180, and available as an option on ZS+ models.

A new feature for the latest ZS is the remote activated boot release feature. This customer convenience feature allows a key owner easier access to the boot of the car; by pressing a third button on the remote plip, the owner can release the boot lock while approaching the car. The boot will then be open by the time they get to the car, and is particularly useful when either or both hands are full.

The interior also features revised column stalks that have a superior feeling matt finish. The switches used within the revised centre console are soft-touch membrane switches that look and operate in a more positive and modern way.

At service, the program wash / wipe facility can be programmed to vary the number of times the wipers operate after the windscreen wash has finished. A new ‘Dribble Wipe’ feature is an extra wipe of the screen approximately 4 seconds after the last wipe has occurred, after the program wash wipe, to capture any subsequent water dribble.

Auto relocking - if the car is locked / armed and the unlock button pressed, the car will auto lock / rearm if no doors are opened within 30 seconds and assumes the vehicle was unlocked / disarmed accidentally.

Speed locking – doors automatically lock when vehicle speed is greater than 3 mph / 5 km/h. The doors remain locked when the vehicle is stationary and will automatically unlock again when the ignition is turned off. Doors can be unlocked by using the master lock / unlock button.

MG ZS performed well in recent What Car? Security tests and has a Thatcham
Cat. 1 alarm, top level security system and complies with the latest 2004 Security directives. 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 / boot / bonnet are open when the vehicle is locked with the key or remote. The boot is more secure now the key lock is no longer specified and Automatic Engine immobilisation is activated after the ignition is switched off.

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. A new design of plip now features lock, unlock and remote boot release opening. It can be operated with the alarm armed or disarmed. The alarm rearms when the boot is closed, with hazard warning lamps flashing to indicate this security. The latest plip design has a much enhanced operating range.

This new feature is located amongst 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; also included is drive-away locking for occupant security against possible external threats. A panic alarm can be triggered by pressing the MLS for over two seconds, locking all doors, activating the alarm siren and flashing the hazard lamps and de-activated by another two second press or by pressing the plip unlock button.

Solid: Rio Red, Trophy Yellow
Metallic: Starlight Silver, XPower Grey, Ignition Blue
Pearlescent: Firefrost Red, Royal Blue, British Racing Green, Black Pearl and Goodwood Green

The MG ZS features an Ash interior colour and the new fascia design includes a new re-positioned fascia insert, available in two finishes: the standard condition is Technical Grey, however there is also a Black Oak optional finish. Seat trims include a new Matrix fabric available in three colourways – grey, green and blue. These seats will be the standard condition on ZS entry and ZS+ models.

Axis part leather seats feature on the 180 and are also available in three colourways – grey, green and blue. The leather is black in all cases and appears on the side bolsters. The Axis part leather seats feature horizontal fluting effects for greater visual impact and further support. A black full leather sports seat and Gunsmoke Alcantara® seat are an option.

New Features Summary

Exterior

• New front bumper including integrated front splitter
• New and larger MG grille
• New twin lens reflector headlamps
• New rear bumper including new exhaust finishers
• New tailgate/boot lid
• Remote plip activated boot-opening release
• New lip spoiler (as standard fit on all models)
• New 17" alloy wheel (standard on ZS 180, optional on other models)
• New ZS 180 body kit – wheelarch spats, sill mouldings, fender vents
• Revised badging including 180 badges on side fender

Interior

• Attractive new fascia incorporating rotary air vents
• New fascia console with new soft-touch membrane switches
• New column stalks with quality feel
• ATC air conditioning availability
• New seat fabrics and door casing inserts
• New Axis part leather seats including horizontal fluting
• New fascia insert treatment – a Technical Grey finish
• Master locking switch and driveaway locking for occupant security
• Lowered clutch pedal position for improved ergonomics

New MG ZS Specification Summary, model by model

Suspension and Steering
Low ride height
Sports springs and dampers
Front and rear anti-roll bars
Sports tuned power steering
Quick ratio steering rack

Safety and Brakes
Driver, front passenger & front side airbags
ABS with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution)
Ventilated front disc brakes (on 120, 115 TD and 180 models) and solid rear
Front disc brakes and rear drum brakes (on 110 and TD models)

Interior
Sports styled and shaped seats
Matrix fabric seat facings (Grey, Blue or Green colourways)
Technical grey fascia inserts and console/switch surrounds
Rotary styled air vents with satin chrome finish
Silver finish instrument dials with orange needles
Alloy and leather gearknob
Sports steering wheel with MG badge
Driver's seat height and lumbar adjustment
60/40 split folding rear seat
Powered door mirror adjustment with heating

Locks and Security
Remote central door locking
Plip controlled remote boot release function
Internal tailgate/boot release
New specification locking wheel nuts
Thatcham Category 1 alarm system with perimetric and volumetric protection
Auto-relocking and speed locking functions
Master locking/unlocking switch including personal panic attack alarm mode

Body and Exterior Features
MG styled front grille
Deep front bumper incorporating integrated lip spoiler and mesh grille
Rear tailgate / bootlid integrated lip spoiler
Body coloured sill finishers
Body coloured door mirrors, door handles and side mouldings
Large bore exhaust and exhaust heatshield (except ZS 110 and ZS+ 110)
Chequered and Union flag badges on D posts
Clear lens twin halogen headlamps
Clear side repeater lamps
16" Hairpin alloys (except ZS 110 and ZS+ 110)
Instant tyre repair system

Unique ZS 110 / ZS+ 110 Features
15" Mirage 5-spoke alloy wheels
Concealed rear exhaust, no rear exhaust heatshield

MG ZS + models Additional Specification over MG ZS Model
CFC-free on/off air conditioning including pollen filter
Electric front windows with driver’s one shot open
4 x 50W Kenwood CD Tuner
Leather covered sports steering wheel with MG badge

ZS 180 Additional Specification over ZS+ Models
Large front and rear disc brakes (282mm front, 260mm rear)
Sports ratio gearbox with short throw gearshift and leather gear lever gaiter
Axis fabric seat facings with horizontal fluting and leather side bolsters
Front fog lamps
Automatic Temperature Control air conditioning
4 x 45W Kenwood radio cassette
6 Disc Kenwood CD autochanger
Front and rear wheelarch spats
Integrated side sill finisher
Front wing vents and 180 badge mounted on side fender
17" 11 spoke alloy wheels

ZS 120 Stepspeed models have a CO₂ of 203g/km

MG ZS features a three year/60,000 mile warranty, six-year anti-corrosion and three-year cosmetic paint warranty with 12 months' AA Roadside Assistance cover.

Key competitors for MG ZS are: the Subaru Impreza, SEAT Leon, Alfa 147, Ford Focus Zetec and ST 170, Vauxhall Astra SRi and SXi, VW Golf GTi, Renault Mégane Dynamique, Peugeot 307 XSi, Honda Civic Sport and Type-R.