MG ZS 180: The last great British sports sedan
Do you remember when MG was British and made cars that gave you goosebumps? We do, and today we’re going to remember one of its most special models: the MG ZS 180. A car that, as we would say in Spain, had more attitude than a bull from Victorino.
Table of Contents
From Rover to MG: When the British Got Their Act Together
It was the year 2001 and MG Rover, freshly divorced from BMW, decided it was time to give the MG brand a boost. And boy, did they. They took the Rover 45, a car duller than a sugar-free yogurt, and turned it into a beast that made the asphalt tremble: the MG ZS 180.
Dressed to Kill
Just by looking at it, you knew this wasn’t just any Rover. The Brits pumped it up with steroids everywhere: a specific grille with the MG badge, bumpers more muscular than a bodybuilder, side skirts that looked like they were taken from a race car, and a rear spoiler that even the Mitsubishi EVO VI would envy. The 17-inch, 15-spoke wheels were the cherry on top because, yes folks, low profile was all the rage back then.
Interior: More British than Afternoon Tea
The cabin was like an English pub: traditional, somewhat outdated, but with character. The bucket seats hugged you tighter than your grandma on Christmas Eve, and the leather-wrapped steering wheel was thicker than a calamari sandwich. However, the ergonomics were as British as the monarchy: the controls were placed with the same logic a drunk uses to find their way home.
The Heart of the Matter: A V6 with More Character than a Mother-in-Law
Under the hood beat a 2.5-liter V6 that was a gem. 177 HP at 6,500 rpm and 240 Nm at 4,000 rpm may not seem like much today, but we assure you this engine sang better than Pavarotti. The specially tuned exhaust sound was music to the ears of any self-respecting petrolhead. It was basically an affordable Aston Martin.
The Different Faces of the MG ZS 180: All Versions and Trims
The MG ZS 180 hit the Spanish market with two trim levels that made a difference. The Sport trim, the most common on our roads, came well-equipped as standard. Its 17-inch, 15-spoke wheels and mixed fabric and leather upholstery set the sporty tone, while air conditioning, four airbags, and a CD radio covered the comfort aspect. The sporty rear spoiler and fog lights completed a visually striking package.
