MG ZR - Performance

Performance

ZR 105 came with a 1.4 K series engine which produced 102 bhp (76 kW; 103 PS) and 123 N·m (91 lb·ft) torque giving a 0–60 mph of 9.7 seconds and a top speed of 111 mph (179 km/h). It featured 262mm solid disks up front, and drum brakes at the rear.

The ZR 120 came with a 1.8 K series engine which produced 115 bhp (86 kW; 117 PS) and 160 N·m (120 lb·ft) torque giving a 0–60 mph of 8.6 seconds and a top speed of 119 mph (192 km/h). This had a more advanced brake set-up despite the small power increase, featuring same diameter 262mm discs upfront, but this time vented for aided cooling. The drums at the back were also replaced with 239mm solid disks to maintain braking balance.

The range-topping ZR 160 came with a 1.8 K Series VVC engine producing 159 bhp (119 kW; 161 PS) and 174 N·m (128 lb·ft) torque giving a 0–60 mph of 7.4 seconds and a top speed of 131 mph (211 km/h). This featured the most advanced brake set-up available with 282mm vented front discs, and even larger solid 260mm rear disks, all of which provided excellent stopping force in a vehicle only weighing 1145 kg.

There were also two diesel variants of the ZR, the first being the ZR TD 100 which had a 2.0 L Series engine that made 99 bhp (74 kW; 100 PS) and 240 N·m (180 lb·ft) torque giving a 0-60 mph of 9.7 seconds and a top speed of 114 mph (183 km/h).

The other diesel-engined ZR was the TD 115 which came with the same 2.0 L series engine but with some minor performance enhancements (improved ECU map), to produce 111 bhp (83 kW; 113 PS) and 260 N·m (190 lb·ft) torque, which saw the car have a 0-60 mph of 9.1 seconds and a top speed of 116 mph (187 km/h). The ZR TD 115 also came equipped with disc brakes at both the front and the rear sharing its brake set-up with the ZR 120, whereas the ZR TD 100 had drums at the back, sharing its brake set-up with the ZR 105.

The 2.0 diesel L series engine is highly tunable for very little money, and is consequently very popular with modifiers. The turbo boost pressure can be manually increased up to a safe limit of 19psi. The injectors can be replaced with Rover SDI injectors out of an older diesel engine, these injectors feature a nozzle with a higher flow rate allowing more fuel to be injected. Coupled with breathing modifications and a remap, for under £500 these diesel engines can see 150-160 bhp which will give the ZR 160 a run for its money due to the comparable power the diesel engine then produces.

Other common modifications on the ZR are brake upgrades. Most convert to the ZR 160 set-up, which only requires the correct rear beam, and the disks, pads and larger callipers from a donor car, making it a very simple job.

The K series petrol engines are less easily modified unless a lot of money is spent, this has resulted in a common engine conversion to the Rover 2.0 (T16) T series turbocharged engine. This engine in standard form puts out 197 bhp, however depending on how much work is done to the engine, they have been known to produce anywhere up to 900 bhp.