MG Enthusiast

MG Enthusiast, the world's best-selling MG magazine, is the long-established make-specific publication dedicated to all MGs, covering all examples from the earliest 14/40s, through the T-Types to the more familiar shapes, including the Midget and the ubiquitous MGB; and not forgetting the more contemporary mid-engined MGF and the ZR/ZS/ZT saloons and hatchbacks.

MG Enthusiast

EDITORIAL

A phoenix rising • MG Rover Group Limited was formed unexpectedly, after plans to rationalise the company were blocked at the final hurdle – and with the new brand came a new direction in the form of the MG Z cars…

Inside story • Kevin Jones was MG Rover Group’s Product PR Manager in 2001. Here, he reflects on the MG Z car launch – a unique and significant automotive moment of 25 years ago…

The MG ZR: small but perfectly formed • Kicking off the Zed line-up was the Rover 25-based ZR, which became the brand’s best-selling model…

MG ZR: the rivals • With insurance premiums on faster hot hatches edging upwards and a range of finance packages making new cars more affordable than ever in the early 2000s, ‘warm’ hatches were all the rage. Here are the ZR’s core rivals.

The ZR and ZS Atomix – the Z car special editions • Special editions were popular back in the Rover days but, among the Z cars, there were only ever two: the ZR and ZS Atomix, with a direct link to popular culture.

MG ZS – the rabbit from the hat • In creating the ZS, MG turned a mainstream hatch and saloon into one of the finest-handling front-wheel-drive cars ever made.

MG ZS: The Rivals • Mid-size cars with driver appeal were a booming part of the market in 2001 – and the ZS was the biggest bargain of the lot. Here are some of the others.

MG ZT: Britain’s muscle car • The Rover 75 and MG ZT had a Jekyll and Hyde character and, while the demure 75 was a lovely thing, it was the ZT that demonstrated just how good the chassis basics were….

MG ZT: the rivals • The ZT transformed a demure family saloon into a muscle car and, in the process, transformed its character. Here are its key rivals.

Thunder road • The ZT 260 merged Ford Mustang power with the ZT bodyshell and was a substantial engineering project.

Express delivery • One of quirkiest Z car models wasn’t a car at all but a delivery van…

HOT OFF THE PRESS • A new project was the last thing our editor needed but, when one of the original press launch MG ZTs appeared for sale on Facebook Marketplace, we were left with no choice but to rescue it. Will it be ready for the ZED25 celebrations, though?

Peter Stevens – on the design of the Z cars • This interview with MG Rover’s former design director first appeared in the book MG Z Cars, written by MGE editor Craig Cheetham, and is reproduced with the kind permission of the publisher, Amberley Publishing.

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Our Z Car memories • MGE contributors recall their own Z Car experiences

Flat out • As a PR stunt for the ZT-T, MG Rover headed to the famous Utah salt plains – the record remains unbroken.

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Z Cars in motorsport • Motorsport is part of MG’s DNA so it’s no surprise that the Z cars went racing.

Advertising the Z Cars • MG Rover’s marketing department took a somewhat fresh approach to advertising during the Z Car launch – here are some the best.

MG Z Cars • There’s not a huge amount of Z Car paraphernalia to buy just yet, but here are some of our favourite ZED-based gifts.

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