MG Rover Group has today (September 23) launched a Ford-powered "muscle car".
It has thrown away the usual front wheel drive engine and powertrain, and shoe-horned a massive V8 engine under the hood to drive the back wheels.
The rear-wheel drive vehicle, available in ZT saloon and ZT-T estate, powered by a 260bhp 4.6-litre V8 engine used in the Mustang and with an awesome 410Nm of torque to deliver class-leading acceleration, is now available for customer order in the UK.
With an on-the-road price starting at £27,995, the ZT 260 offers an unbeatable combination of price and performance.
Rob Oldaker, MG Rover Group's Product Development Director, said, "The MG ZT 260 V8 demonstrates our commitment to deliver cars of true pedigree and character. This is a truly rewarding car to drive.
"Our choice of a big, torquey engine has been vindicated as this is a deceptively quick and efficient cross-country car.
"The more you drive it, the more you appreciate its unique 'muscle car' character that flies in the face of our competitors' trend towards buzzy high-revving engines.
"Its introduction means MG now has the broadest range in its 80-year history. The new V8 heralds the return of the practical British muscle car, and as an MG it's obviously great value too."
The range is launched in both ZT saloon and ZT-T estate models and is available in two trim specifications. The MG ZT 260 V8 starts from an on-the-road price of £27,995, with the higher specified SE model £32,750 OTR. MG ZT-T 260 V8 estate models start from £28,995 OTR.