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For gearheads looking to add a potent sports sedan to their driveway, the choice is pretty much never-ending. Iconic models such as the BMW M5 and the Mercedes-Benz E63 can be had for cheap on the used market, as can the all-wheel-drive Audi RS4 or S6. Drivers after a bit of British in their lives can opt for a Jaguar XFR, or perhaps an older Bentley if luxury is your jam.

For those who love their vehicles to drop with charm though, an underrated sedan exists that puts its British rivals firmly in the shade.

The MG ZT 260 Is A Jazzed Up Rover 75

As the new millennium reared its head, MG-Rover was locked in a bloody battle for survival. It was getting thoroughly outgunned by rivals from all over the globe, which could offer more refinement and better value vehicles than it could manage. Seeing as Rover was leveled as more of an entry-level luxury brand, it needed to deliver from a reliability and build quality perspective. It had also failed to conquer the US market with its Sterling brand a decade earlier, so things weren’t looking rosy.

While reliability was helped somewhat by a deal with Honda to utilize its engines and drivetrains during the early 1990s, the build quality of its offerings remained questionable. Feeling the brand had some potential, it was acquired by BMW in 1994. Under its stewardship, Rover unleashed a new range-topping model in 1998 called the 75.

Being a similar size to the BMW 5-Series, the 75 ended up being praised for its agreeable looks and refinement. Unfortunately, Rover’s reputation for its cars only being suitable for those on their deathbed meant the 75 could never reach its full potential from a sales perspective, and it was sold off to British consortium Phoenix in 2000. Now under new ownership, an idea was hatched to try and utilize the sportier MG sister brand to take both to a new audience with cars like the mental SV-R.

Feeling the 75 had what it took to take it to the likes of the BMW M5 and the Audi S4, MG got to work on a new sports sedan.

The ZT 260 Was Graced With The Engine From A Mustang

It goes without saying that MG-Rover wasn’t exactly caked in cash when the decision was made to design the ZT 260 in 2003, so it needed to borrow components from elsewhere. The ZT made its debut as a sportier version of the 75 in 2001, though the most powerful engine it was available with was a 187 hp 2.5-liter V6. Needing more, MG did a deal with Ford to utilize the heroic 4.6-liter small block V8 from the fourth-generation Ford Mustang GT.

It wouldn’t be a simple job shoehorning the V8 under the hood of the ZT though, and it needed to undergo significant re-engineering. Due to its size, the powerplant had to be mounted longitudinally in the engine bay rather than transversely like the engines normally found in the car. To deal with the extra punishment from the engine, the body shell and suspension had to be beefed up.

As the ZT 260 was around 450 pounds heavier than standard ZTs, a set of more powerful rear brakes was thrown into the equation, though the fronts were good enough to remain stock. Alongside the V8, the five-speed automatic gearbox from the Mustang was also sourced, with the grunt from the engine controlled through a limited-slip differential and sent to the rear wheels.

The ZT Was Badly Outgunned

Despite now having a big V8 at its disposal, the ZTs dreams of fighting against the world’s most commanding sports sedans remained just that. The engine produced 260 hp and 302 lb-ft of torque. While a significant improvement over its siblings, the E39 M5 produced well over 100 hp more. The 2004 S4 was also well out of reach, with around 80 hp extra.

As a result, while the German sedans could hit 60 mph in 4.8 and 5.5 seconds respectively, the ZT had to make do with a run of 6.2 seconds. The superior handling technology showered on its German rivals also ensured they were more effective in the bends, though this didn’t mean the ZT 260 was without merit.

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The Charming ZT 260 Is An Affordable Unicorn In 2024

What the ZT 260 lacked in outright pace, it largely made up for in lovable British charm. Its labrador looks and quintessentially British interior, filled with leather and wood, combined with the muscle car V8 resulted in a unique sports sedan that mated two opposing forces nicely. While perhaps not as outright fast as its main rivals, it was more laid back and relaxing on normal roads, though still possessed an accessible chassis balance so that it could be enjoyed on a fun back road.

To the greater automotive world though, the ZT 260 was largely forgotten when it went out of production in 2005. This came as a result of MG-Rover collapsing, though the good news is that they represent an affordable bit of exotica these days. Less than 1,000 examples were ever built but, according to Classic.com, they can be had in good condition for around $10,000.

As they were only sold natively in the UK, US gearheads will need to wait a few more years before they can take advantage of the 25-year rule to bring one across the Atlantic. Given the muscular soundtrack and relaxing, but still spirited, driving experience, they are well worth the wait. There’s also a lot you can do with the Ford V8. A basic supercharger kit will take it up to a reliable 400 horses, for example.

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A Special Version Of The ZT Holds The Wagon Land Speed Record

As part of its efforts to capture the public’s attention, MG endeavored to snatch the non-production land speed record for a wagon with a tuned version of its ZT-T, the wagon model of the ZT-260. While still retaining a V8, the revised ZT-T got a Roush-developed 6.0-liter unit that afforded it 765 hp. California-based SoCal Speed Shop was tapped to build and run the car at the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats, the venue selected for the ZT-Ts record attempt.

The body and chassis were stiffened significantly to deal with the engine’s grunt, as well as to ensure its driver would be safe should things go wrong. A tough roll cage was implemented on the inside of the vehicle to assist with this.

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All the hard work ended up paying off handsomely, as the ZT-T sprinted to a new record that it still holds to this day. Taking to the flats in 2003, the car managed to hit 225.6 mph on its fastest run, easily securing the record. This made it quicker than most supercars at the time, though it was likely even less civilized given the modifications made to it. Plans to supercharge it and boost power to 1,000 hp were canceled due to MG-Rover’s collapse, though as it was recently offered for sale through JD Classics, you could be the one to fulfill its destiny.

Sources:
MG
,
JD Classics