V8 - a passion
to perform
The 4.6 litre V8 engine in the MG ZT 260 V8 and its estate variant, the MG ZT-T
260 V8, is only half the story, the chassis has been completely re-engineered
to provide superb performance through a new rear wheel drivetrain. It is not for
the faint-hearted driven hard, but it is a wonderfully relaxing car for drivers
with a smooth style. Just a touch of throttle in any gear and the eager engine
delivers a surge of power without fuss or strain which eases the car forward with
a subtle change of pace as only a V8 can do! The outward signs and badges of the
260 V8 are just as subtle - simple V8 logos and a double twin exhaust, and no
go-faster stripes. Here Victor Smith describes his impressions from a test run
in an MG ZT 260 V8 loaned for an hour or so by MG Dealers, Ames MG at Bury St
Edmunds. (Feb 04) 
MG ZT 260 V8 - not for the faint-hearted driven hard, but it is a wonderfully
relaxing car for drivers with a smooth style. (Photo: MG Rover) In
fact one of the marketing challenges for MG Rover will be product recognition
because very few people will recognise the 260 V8s as anything other than an ordinary
MG ZT. Yet it is a car which will have a broad appeal from middle management as
a comfortable car for commuting and moving between appointments, to more senior
drivers in both management and lifestyle senses! Yes if you are a moderately well-heeled
person at or nearing retirment and you enjoy driving, this car will have an enormous
appeal! Why? - simply it moves with a subtle but understated purpose, surging
a little when required to make journeys an effortless pleasure where the miles
just drift by. But although this car is so flexible it is uncanny, make no mistake
it is no contender for a funeral procession. Hit the throttle in third and it
is a rocket! In 6.2 seconds from rest you pass 60mph and pick up mid range in
any gear is faultless. No this is not a car for auto-animals like Clarkson, this
is a car for people with a great deal more subtlety and a feeling for the marque
which is MG! 
Performance chart show the broad torque curve and the power curve
rising to 260PS. (MG Rover) The
braking is impressive as the balance is set to minimise front end dive
so you feel a very progressive deceleration from the reassuringly fast-acting
4-channel ABS as standard through massive ventilated discs front and rear. The
ride and handling are precise and, even on the flat side roads between the vast
arable fields around Bury St Edmunds, the 260 V8 soaked up the bumps and surged
along without a hint of roll or rear end hop. "Comfort without compromise"
is MG Rover's claim - it's certainly that and a most reassuring driving feel.
However with all V8s, driving in the wet does need a very sensitive right foot
with hard acceleration. But frankly after a few furious bursts you very soon realise
that there is far more driving pleasure in using the power with care and letting
the eight cylinders of the Mustang derived power unit and gearbox just ease the
car along with pace and not a little grace.
Outward signs and badges on the 260 V8 are just as subtle - simple
V8 logos and a double twin exhaust with no go-faster stripes. (Photo: Victor Smith)
Inside the seating is
comfortable with good lateral support, with good controls and creature comforts,
and good visibility. The dials and dashboard were a Return
of the practical British muscle car |
Just simple V8 logos
are the only outward signs of the MG ZT 260 V8. (Photo: MG Rover)
little cluttered for
my taste and the sliver
grey speedo and rev counter looked a
little sad. With the bellhousing well back, there is no space to the left of the
clutch pedal to rest your foot, so you will need a crash course in ankle flexing
to develop a conditioned reflex which will park your foot under the pedal. But
frankly unless you feel you are a prospective Touring Car Championship contender,
gearchanges are not that frequent! Under
the bonnet the powerhouse still sports a Mustang emblem and packs the bay
in all directions. But it's reassuring that such a well proven power unit and
gearbox have been chosen for this remarkable model. The gearbox in the test car
was still quite stiff but I was reassured "it was getting better by the
day!". The other interesting feature with this car is it needs to be
run in with care, particularly the back axle, which is something prospective secondhand
buyers of this model will have to watch very carefully indeed. Drivers with an
inbuilt feeling for good quality performance machinery will find that second nature
of course, but I know Ames MG will be stressing this to their new 260 V8 customers
as they really do care about both the cars and their customers' enjoyment of them.
Old front grille and panel on the test car - a new front
has been introduced with a family style across all the current MG models. (Photo:
Victor Smith) Yes
definitely an MGV8 that has character and style which can be driven in an
understated manner that just gobbles up the miles with enormous reserves of torque
and power to ease by situations and breeze up hills. Now that's what MGV8 motoring
is all about - not door handle grinding, gearbox stirring, Clarkson shoot from
the lip macho glibness, or tyre burning ..
. Yes it's a car for driving enthusiasts
with a mature mentality. Welcome back subtle MGV8 power! 
Ames MG kindly loaned the V8! Keith Baylis is parts manager at
Ames MG and keen on MGV8s! (Photo: Victor Smith) See
also the MG ZT 260 V8 review by Andrew Frankel of the Sunday Times, 16th November
2003 Sadly it seems The Times has removed the webpage
(7.9.07) |