2001 MG ZS 2.5 V6 180 Review and Performance Comparison

MG ZS Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 2001 MG ZS 2.5 V6 180 is a powered by a Petrol V 6. This variant of the MG ZS 2.5 V6 180 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out around 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 2500cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant driven by the MG Front Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol V 6's include the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The ZS shares its Petrol V 6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2024 Maserati GT2 Stradale.If you're looking for other similar performing 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 earlier 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1500 kgs (3306 lbs) places the MG ZS 2.5 V6 180 in a similar weight category as the 2025 Ferrari 296 Speciale A and the excellent 2025 Maserati MCPURA 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo, give or take 50kg.

The MG ZS shares the same bhp with the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 250 ZX (201 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 2500cc 32 valve, V 6 engine produces around 177 bhp (131 kW) @ 3500 rpm which is comparable to the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 250 ZX (201 bhp) and also the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (187 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V 6 throws out 100 lb-ft (135.5 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Toyota Yaris GR RS (107 lb-ft) or the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 2001 MG ZS in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its 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. Bhp per ton figures of the 2001 ZS 2.5 V6 180 means you're competing with the 2002 Vauxhall-Opel Calibra 2.0i 16v Turbo (143.0 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 1992 Vauxhall-Opel Calibra 2.0 Turbo (143.0 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The MG ZS 2.5 V6 180 generates around 66.6 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 1950 Ford Zephyr 2.2 12v (91.5 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 1992 Hummer H1 6.2 V8 4 Door (91.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The MG ZS 2.5 V6 180 can accelerate 0–60mph in 7.10 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 7.3 secs. Acceleration rivals to the MG ZS 2.5 V6 180 include the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs).

The V 6 engine of the MG ZS 2.5 V6 180 ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) and the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the MG ZS 2.5 V6 180 and the Daihatsu Charade GTti

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 2001 MG ZS can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.27 secs with a trap speed around 83.7 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the Daihatsu Charade GTti (16.28 seconds @ 83.6 mph) and a close race between the Porsche 944 2.7 (16.28 seconds @ 83.6 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. 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 Volkswagen-VW Golf G60 Supercharged (134 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 2001 MG ZS 2.5 V6 180 then there's the slightly slower the Volkswagen-VW Golf G60 Supercharged (134 mph) or how about the impressive Peugeot 309 1.9 GTi 16v (134 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 2001 ZS Rivals List.
• 2001 ZS: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of MG
• Compare the 2001 MG ZS