If proof were needed that MG means business it is demonstrated in these three dramatic MG Sports Saloons. Make no mistake, these cars are real MGs. They have not been cobbled together as a marketing exercise, nor are they just Rovers with octagonal badges, they are properly engineered sports saloon cars built to perform and handle in the best traditions of MG. Everything that is expected from an MG, performance, driver involvement and build quality these cars can deliver. John Sanders, MG Rover Group’s Marketing Director understands and appreciates the importance of the brand and he says that MG’s brand heritage is the best in business.

The MGF has led the way and proved to be an outstanding success and it remains Britain’s best selling sportscar. Now the MG ZR, MG ZS, MG ZT and MG ZT Tourer (estate) complete the range. In addition MG offers wide choice of power units can provide a sports saloon model to suit every possible taste. We may all wish to own an MGF but it’s strictly a two seater and therefore it is usually the favoured transport of the young and single or anyone without children or dogs to ferry around. Leaving the rest of us to an empty desert of bland saloons and hatchbacks with no MG to satisfy our needs but now we are spoilt for choice with these new MG engineered versions.

MG Rover can offer their customers the widest range of MG sports models and specifications. The thinking behind these MGs is directly derived from the days of Cecil Kimber, they are sports versions of the mainstream range and their specification reflects that concept. In each case the MG version offers a higher degree of performance and handling as a first priority.

Invited to test drive the range I had formed an opinion based on the publicity material and the specifications and I felt that I could predict what would prove to be the most enjoyable. However I was in for a surprise and a very pleasant surprise at that.

MG ZR

105 – 1.4 K series from £9995, 120 – 1.8 K series £11,395 160 – 1.8 VVC £14,345 Two door or five door hatchback

The new MG ZR range is perhaps the best expression of the ‘affordable sports car’ as the ZR 105 can be purchased for £9,995 on the road. This car is a little stormer, it reminded me of both the Midget and MGF at the same time mixed up with strong dash of Mini Cooper. The ZR has the MGF’s incredible road holding and poise and the Midget’s cheeky character. Powered by a 1.4 twin cam K series engine this car can be rowed along with its excellent gearbox to make rapid cross country progress and it will also cruise happily on the motorway. Like the Midget the ZR 105 is an ideal entry level MG offering a degree of road holding and handling that are more than a match for its nippy performance. Build quality was impressive and even the base model comes with a high level of trim and the seats in the ZR were particularly good. When riding as passenger in the entry model I spotted that there was no roof mounted grab handle but frankly I didn’t need one. Despite the prodigious cornering speeds maintained by my colleagues as they each took a turn behind the wheel, the front seat held me firmly and in comfort. Here is a sports hatch with four good seats that will cruise on the motorways, race along twisty lanes and also do the shopping or the school run. Furthermore it will do all this without a squeak or a rattle. 

At the top of the range comes the MG ZR 160 with a 0-60 time of 7.4 seconds and top speed of 131 mph. These figures speak for themselves the road holding is outstanding and the 160 also has larger brake discs to cope with all that extra power. You can also opt for five doors, a 2.0 litre turbo diesel engine and Stepspeed transmission on ZR 120 models.

MG ZS

120 1.8 K series from £12,495
180 2.5 KV6 £15,595

Five door hatchback or four door saloon

The MG ZS was aptly described in the early promotional literature as a dark horse. This is the model with a huge rear spoiler and I expected to like it least of all but I was in for a big surprise. I’ve never cared for spoilers and the boot treatment of ZS rather put me off. Those ‘boy racer’ looks would need to be lived up to and I did not expect the ZS to be equal to the task. I could not have been more wrong the 2.5 KV6 engine in the ZS 180 is an absolute belter. This 2.5 litre MG has serious torque and performance to spare. However fantastic performance is of no use without the road holding and handling to exploit it and this MG has a truly brilliant chassis complete with an all wishbone suspension set-up. I did not find out the full extent and capabilities of ZS’s handling on the open road because MG Rover had the foresight (and the nerve) to offer all of us motoring writers the chance to take the cars around Pembrey motor racing circuit. It was here that the ZS’s credentials were established, this sports saloon is fast (0-60 mph in 7.3 secs and 139 mph top speed) with bags of torque and it handles really well. I’m no racing driver but my co-driver on this track day was able to exploit the ZS to the full and his grin said it all. If you order a ZS the big boot spoiler is a delete option so you can still enjoy all that power and yet maintain a lower profile. The ZS was a fabulous all round performance package and overall it was the MG Sports Saloon that I would most like to have kept. The ZS will form the basis of MG Motorsport’s entry in the British Touring Car Championship.

MG ZT 

160 2.5 litre KV6 from £18,595
190 2.5 litre KV6 from £20,495

The MG ZT a splendid solid and powerful beast with a very complete specification and top quality interior. Its outward respectability belies the power and technological chassis and suspension development that this model has undergone. The ZT acquitted itself very well on the race track and despite being a big car it performed really well and handled superbly. All this in combination with the very high trim levels one usually associates with the Rover 75. The MG engineers have taken the sedate and well mannered 75 and turned it into a real hard case, rather like Vinney Jones in Saville Row suit. This MG can pack a punch with an added dash of style and elegance, its additional edge in performance and handling has not been achieved without some sacrifice in the form of a certain firmness in the ride. However, it must be said that this makes the ZT feel safe, predictable and sure-footed, after all it’s a performance variant and if you want soft comfort then choose the Rover version. However if you are looking for an affordable British performance saloon the ZT has a great deal to offer, it has the power and the pedigree. The ZT is thoroughly British and an MG to the core, if the original ‘Avengers’ TV series was still in production then John Steed would drive one. 

Also on display, but we didn’t get to sample it was the ZT Tourer or ZT-T an estate version with stunning lines and a super specification.

These new MGs are on display now in your local MG Rover dealer, take the time to go and have a look at them and maybe take a test drive. MG are back and this is just the beginning the philosophy behind MG now is the one they started out with, use engineering skills to get a performance product based on an existing range. MG have got the product right and there is something in the range to suit everyone from the ZR 105 for the new driver right up to established professional who wants to cover a high mileage with an extra dash of performance and excitement in the MG ZT.

It’s all there so just pick a model and go out and enjoy a dash of ‘legal stimulation’ from MG.