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MG Rover ZR+ 120 3-dr LPG - MG Car Review

Review

Added: 22 Sep 2003
Last update: 25 Dec 2009

"YOU'VE got a full tank of petrol and a full tank of gas - enough fuel to get you round the world, I should think," chuckled the man who delivered my tasty road test MG ZR.

An exaggeration, of course, but the thought of all that potential mileage gave me the same smug satisfaction you get when you're about to break up on a fortnight's holiday.

Because an LPG conversion on an MG ZR means you get all the power and performance you'd expect - and not nearly as much pain when it comes to paying for the fuel.

You eat up the miles at an economy rate and you definitely don't miss out on all the feisty speed and fun which standard models are renowned for.

And while the conversion is not cheap - more than £2,000 on my test model - I'm sure it is worth it in the long term if you can afford it.

The difference in performance between when it is running on LPG and petrol is negligible.

MG Rover says there is three per cent less power while running on LPG, but I didn't notice any at all.

And it is so easy to operate. You change from standard fuel to LPG at the flick of a switch, although the vehicle always starts in petrol mode.

With LPG half the price of petrol, the difference in overall fuel bills over a period of time must be enormous.

And a full tank of petrol and LPG would certainly get you to Scotland without the need of refuelling.

The ZR is arguably the most powerful small car for the money in its market, and you only have to look at it to realise it is very rally influenced.

The engine felt more powerful than a 1.8 litre. It packs plenty of muscle under the bonnet and its performance and handling is crisp and fun.

You just switch on, put your foot down, and it responds immediately, clean as a whistle, with an enjoyable, raspy, but unobtrusive roar.

It's certainly a man's car, according to MG Rover statistics, which suggest that 65 per cent of buyers are male, married and without children.

They have an active lifestyle, are style conscious and choose the vehicle because it is stylish, British, sporty, cost effective, fun and practical.

The cockpit is distinctly in the best of MG Rover traditions. You mould yourself into sport-styled seats which hold you resassuringly securely.

The interior features and sports dials are Rhodium finished, the gear knob is alloy and leather. Combined with the famous MG steering wheel, it's an attractive combination which perfectly fits the character of the car.

Yet there's a surprising amount of space, too. It's functional and fun, but you don't feel cramped, particularly in the front.

However, for people with growing families, the five door version would be the better option for obvious reasons.

The MG ZR knows how to look after itself with perimetric and volumetric alarms and immobiliser, plus a security shield for the steering column as well as all door and tailgate locks.

It also looks after you with driver's airbag, side impact bars and seat belt pre-tensioners.

In the ZR+ you get additional features including front fog lamps, electric sunroof, steering wheel, electric front windows and door mirrors and driver's seat height and lumbar adjuster.

FAST FACTS

MG Rover ZR+ 120 3-dr LPG

Price:  £13,445

Mechanical:  117bhp, 1,796cc 4 cyl petrol/lpg engine driving front wheels via 5-spd manual gearbox

Max speed:  119mph

0-60mph:  8.6 secs

Combined mpg:  38.9

Insurance group:  9

CO2 emissions:  173g/km

BiK rating:  18%

Warranty:  3yrs/ 60,000miles;  6yrs anti-rust;  3yrs paint

Words: Andy Richards

Keywords: mg, mg


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