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Photo of a MG ZS

MG ZS

From Rover 45 to ZS180: a 2.5 L V6 and 7.3 seconds to 60 mph.1

Researched October 30, 2026 from 28 sources

Also called

  • ZedAn enthusiast name shared with the ZR and ZT, used by the MG Car Club's ZR/ZS/ZT Register.2

At a glance

0100200
99–175 hpPower
07.515
7.3–10.8 s0–60 mph
0125250
177–224 km/hTop speed
0150300
123–260 N·mTorque

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.114

Engine
1.4–1.8 L K-series I4; ZS180: 2.5 L KV6 V6; TD/TD115: 2.0 L L-series turbodiesel1
Layout
Front-engine, FWD; 4-door sedan or 5-door hatchback1
Gearbox
5-speed manual; ZS120 optional Stepspeed CVT, 6 simulated manual ratios12
Built at
Longbridge plant, Birmingham, United Kingdom1
Units built
27,519: 14,586 hatchbacks, 12,933 sedans; 6,876 ZS180s13

The story

Created to expand MG's range after the Phoenix Consortium takeover, the ZS used the Rover 45's Honda-derived independent suspension; the ZS180 offered a 2.5 L V6.123

2000: Phoenix takeover to pre-production20002001: Reid wins at Brands Hatch20012002: Diesels join; TD115 announced · Atomix links up with Atomic Kitten20022003: Summer arrival for the ZS11020032004: New dashboard and SV-inspired styling · Reid takes the Independents' title20042005: April collapse stops production2005 MG Montego: 1985–1991MG MontegoHonda Domani: From 1992Honda DomaniRover 400 (second generation) (HH-R): 1995–1999HH-RMG ZS (X20): 2001–2005X20 198519901995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones131819
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1985–1991MG Montego
From 1992Honda Domani
1995–1999Rover 400 (second generation) (HH-R)
2001–2005MG ZS (X20)
2000Phoenix takeover to pre-production
2001Reid wins at Brands Hatch
2002Diesels join; TD115 announced
2002Atomix links up with Atomic Kitten
2003Summer arrival for the ZS110
2004New dashboard and SV-inspired styling
2004Reid takes the Independents' title
2005April collapse stops production
  1. 2000

    Phoenix takeover to pre-production

    The Phoenix Consortium took control in May; by December 13 the first pre-production ZS had left the line.23

  2. 2001

    Reid wins at Brands Hatch

    Anthony Reid won at Brands Hatch in the racing ZS; it was the only non-Vauxhall entry to win a BTCC race that year.45

  3. 2002

    Diesels join; TD115 announced

    The 99 hp 2.0 L diesel arrived. December brought the TD115 announcement: 260 Nm instead of 240 Nm, with availability promised for January.67

  4. 2002

    Atomix links up with Atomic Kitten

    Promoted with Atomic Kitten, the Atomix edition used ZS120+ specification and added 16-inch wheels, spoilers, fog lights and a Kenwood CD player.8

  5. 2003

    Summer arrival for the ZS110

    The ZS110 arrived in summer with a 1.6 L K-series four-cylinder producing 107 hp.19

  6. 2004

    New dashboard and SV-inspired styling

    The April facelift brought a new dash and SV-inspired styling, with the body kit standard on the ZS180. Only 26 facelift ZS180s wore Monogram colors.1011

  7. 2004

    Reid takes the Independents' title

    After MG ended works backing, Anthony Reid won the Independent Drivers' title in the ZS; WSR placed third overall.4

  8. 2005

    April collapse stops production

    MG Rover's receivership ended ZS production in April, closing its 2001–2005 Longbridge run.13

Every generation

  • MG Montego
    MG Montego1985–1991
  • Honda Domani
    Honda DomaniFrom 1992
  • Rover 400 (second generation)
    HH-R1995–1999
  • MG ZS
    X202001–2005
  • MG6
    MG6

Power over the years

From 115 hp to 175 hp in 0 years.

050100150200 200020022004 hp 2001 · 115 hp · Launch ZS120 1.8 K-series2001 · 175 hp · Launch ZS180 2.5 KV62002 · 99 hp · ZS 2.0 turbodiesel introduction2002 · 111 hp · ZS TD115 announcement2003 · 107 hp · ZS110 1.6 K-series2004 · 175 hp · Facelift ZS180 175 hp Launch ZS180 2.5 KV6 115 hp Launch ZS120 1.8 K-series
1679
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2001115Launch ZS120 1.8 K-series
2001175Launch ZS180 2.5 KV6
200299ZS 2.0 turbodiesel introduction
2002111ZS TD115 announcement
2003107ZS110 1.6 K-series
2004175Facelift ZS180

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • ZS120

    Standard

    ZS120

    115 hp

  • Standard

    ZS110

    107 hp

  • Standard

    ZS TD115

    111 hp
  • ZS+ (facelift)

    Standard

    ZS+ (facelift)

    2004–2005

  • Standard

    ZS105

    102 hp
  • ZS180

    Performance

    ZS180

    2001–2005

    175 hp

    6,876 built

  • ZS180 facelift

    Performance

    ZS180 facelift

    2004–2005

    175 hp

  • Special

    ZS120 LPG

  • Limited

    ZS Atomix

    2002

    115 hp

  • Special

    Monogram paint and trim

How to spot one

Look for

  • A low ride height, alloy wheels and side skirts distinguish the MG treatment.6
  • Facelift cars have a smooth trunk or tailgate, with the rear plate down in the bumper.1

Year by year

  1. 2004 facelift

    Clear, one-piece twin-lens headlights, a larger MG grille and a bumper splitter reshape the nose.1310

  2. 2004 facelift

    Rear plate drops into the bumper, leaving a smooth rear panel with a large MG badge.3

  3. 2004 facelift

    A new dashboard and console introduce circular, aluminum-finish air vents.3

  4. 2004 facelift

    ZS180 adds fender gills, wider arches and 11-spoke wheels. Its big wing is optional; other engines could wear the same kit and wheels.1

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a MG ZS
    ZS
    Photo of a Rover 45
    Rover 45

    Rover 45

    Look for the MG grille, side skirts, spoilers and lowered stance on the ZS.16

  • Photo of a MG ZS
    ZS
    Photo of a Honda Civic five-door
    Honda Civic five-door

    Honda Civic five-door

    Shared Rover/Honda hatchback roots explain the profile; MG grille, spoilers and side skirts are the ZS clues.13618

Prices

Value today $1.1K–$4.6K252627

Price when newValue todayPrices on a log scale
$1K$10K$100K 200020052010201520202025 Value today: $1,050–$4,600 2001 · $17,993 · UK 120 hatch; GBP x1.44 approx.2001 · $19,145 · UK 120 sedan; GBP x1.44 approx.2001 · $22,457 · UK 180 hatch; GBP x1.44 approx.2001 · $23,609 · UK 180 sedan; GBP x1.44 approx.2003 · $27,368 · UK 180 sedan; GBP x1.63 approx.2004 · $20,487 · UK 110 hatch; GBP x1.83 approx.2004 · $23,781 · UK 120 hatch; GBP x1.83 approx.2004 · $25,794 · UK 120+ hatch; GBP x1.83 approx.2004 · $30,186 · UK 180 hatch; GBP x1.83 approx.2004 · $31,650 · UK 180 sedan; GBP x1.83 approx. 2001 · £12,495 · UK ZS120 hatch, 2001; approx. $1.44 per £1
6101517
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2001Launch price$17,993UK ZS120 hatch, 2001; approx. $1.44 per £1
2001Price when new$17,993UK 120 hatch; GBP x1.44 approx.
2001Price when new$19,145UK 120 sedan; GBP x1.44 approx.
2001Price when new$22,457UK 180 hatch; GBP x1.44 approx.
2001Price when new$23,609UK 180 sedan; GBP x1.44 approx.
2003Price when new$27,368UK 180 sedan; GBP x1.63 approx.
2004Price when new$20,487UK 110 hatch; GBP x1.83 approx.
2004Price when new$23,781UK 120 hatch; GBP x1.83 approx.
2004Price when new$25,794UK 120+ hatch; GBP x1.83 approx.
2004Price when new$30,186UK 180 hatch; GBP x1.83 approx.
2004Price when new$31,650UK 180 sedan; GBP x1.83 approx.
2026Value today$1,050–$4,600

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “15 BTCC wins without an overall title”
    • “Atomic Kitten backed Turkington's ZS”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 5 generations

  • Market

    • 5 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 28 sources
  1. MG ZS (2001) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. The tale of the two sixes - MG Car Club Buying an MG mgcc.co.uk
  3. New, Bold and Confident - MG Car Club mgcc.co.uk
  4. About | WSR - West Surrey Racing wsr-racing.com
  5. BTC-T MG ZS EX259 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  6. Future Classics: MG Z Series from 2001 | The Western Group of Motoring Writers thewesterngroup.co.uk
  7. ENHANCED PERFORMING DIESEL MODELS mg-cars.org.uk
  8. MG z Atomic Kitten - Auto Świat auto-swiat.pl
  9. Used MG ZS Review and Buying Guide (UK) caradvertcheck.co.uk
  10. STRIKING NEW-LOOK MG ZS mg-cars.org.uk
  11. The Biomorphic MK2 ZS 180 (Supercharged) – Discount MG Rover Spares - Tel 02380 001133 / Email [email protected] dmgrs.co.uk
  12. MG Rover ZS SALOON – The MG Owners' Club mgownersclub.co.uk
  13. MG modernes / Section Z (ZR,ZS,ZT,ZTT) - MG Club De France mgclubdefrance.com
  14. MGZS Home Page mg-cars.org.uk
  15. MG ZS-180 Review mg-cars.org.uk
  16. MG ROVER GROUP EXPANDS LPG PRODUCT AVAILABILITY mg-cars.org.uk
  17. MG ZS 180 review | Car Reviews | by Car Enthusiast carenthusiast.com
  18. Rover 400 / 45 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  19. Austin Montego - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  20. MG ZS 180 | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  21. MG Rover unleashes the potential of MG through Motorsport mg-cars.org.uk
  22. Peter Stevens (car designer) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  23. Touring Car Register : BTCT : MG ZS MG-BTC-01/002 touringcarregister.com
  24. TOCA Race Driver Anmeldelse - Gamereactor Norge gamereactor.no
  25. 2004 MG ZS | Sat 14th & Sun 15th June | Anglia Car Auctions angliacarauctions.co.uk
  26. 2002 MG ZS 180 | Sat 1st & Sun 2nd November | Anglia Car Auctions angliacarauctions.co.uk
  27. 2002 MG ZS 180 6,520 MILES | Sat 25th & Sun 26th January | Anglia Car Auctions angliacarauctions.co.uk
  28. 2001 MG ZS 180 | Sat 11 & Sun 12 April | Anglia Car Auctions angliacarauctions.co.uk
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • mgcc.co.uk
  • wsr-racing.com
  • thewesterngroup.co.uk
  • mg-cars.org.uk
  • auto-swiat.pl
  • caradvertcheck.co.uk
  • dmgrs.co.uk
  • mgownersclub.co.uk
  • mgclubdefrance.com
  • carenthusiast.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • touringcarregister.com
  • gamereactor.no

Photo credits

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