Performance Review: MG ZS 2.5 V6 180 - [2001]

Figures & Specs Summary:

MG ZS Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the MG ZS 2.5 V6 180 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2001. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2001 Lamborghini Diablo GTR 6.0L V12 and the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12.This particular MG ZS has a 1cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The ZS shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the ZS's Front Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1500 kgs (3306 lbs) this makes the MG ZS 2.5 V6 180 in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The MG ZS shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 1cc 32V V6 engine produces 177 bhp (131 kW) @ 3500 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 100 lb-ft (135.5 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 lb-ft) or the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the MG ZS you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2002 Vauxhall-Opel Calibra 2.0i 16v Turbo (143.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the MG ZS.

The MG ZS has a Power to weight ratio of 118.0 bhp per ton and 66.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2001 ZS competing with the 2002 Vauxhall-Opel Calibra 2.0i 16v Turbo (143.0 bhp per ton) or the 1992 Vauxhall-Opel Calibra 2.0 Turbo (143.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the MG ZS generating around 66.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1950 Ford Zephyr 2.2 12v (91.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1992 Hummer H1 6.2 V8 4 Door (91.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.3 secs, this made the MG ZS 2.5 V6 180 as fast as the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs) the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (7.10 secs) the or the 2011 Skoda Octavia RS 2.0 Turbo (7.10 secs). This MG ZS 2.5 V6 180 is also faster than the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the and the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the ZS and the 2006 Saab 9-3 2.8 V6 Aero

When talking about the performance of the MG ZS on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.35 secs @ 83.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2006 Saab 9-3 2.8 V6 Aero (16.27 secs), the 1959 Maserati 5000 GT (16.28 secs), and the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (16.28 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2001 version of the MG ZS 2.5 V6 180 has a maximum speed of 135mph.

Top Speed of the 2001 ZS equals the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (146 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2001 MG ZS 2.5 V6 180 then how about the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (146 mph), the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (146 mph), or the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (146 mph).

Related Links:

2001 ZS Rivals List.

A Brief History of MG

Car Comparison