MG ZS (2001)

The MG ZS was a sports family car built by MG Rover from 2001 until 2005, essentially a tuned version of the Rover 45, itself a facelifted Rover 400 launched in hatchback form in 1995 and saloon form in 1996 and derived from the Honda Domani. It was available as a five-door hatch or a four-door saloon. The range-topping ZS 180 offered 175 bhp from a 2.5-litre V6 engine and reached 60 mph in 7.3 seconds, with particular praise in the press for its steering, handling and suspension, and the V6 set it apart from rivals that used turbocharged engines. In its first months the ZS was facelifted with the help of the car designer Peter Stevens.