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MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - Deliveries Fast

http://mgcontact2.free.fr/fourgonmg/32618-a-mgr+.jpg

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Arnaud

Comme ca?

Release immediate
February 13 2002

NEW VANS TAKE MG ROVER GROUP INTO COMMERCIAL SECTOR FOR THE FIRST TIME



MG Rover Groups strategy to open up niche markets with new and exciting products sees the company enter the commercial vehicles sector for the first time. The development of car derived vans from the small car platform, brings the total number of vehicles in production at its single Longbridge factory to eleven.



The MG Express, created from the hugely successful MG ZR hot-hatch, provides a new benchmark in the car derived van (CDV) sector, combining class-leading performance with desirability and practicality. The three-model line-up 105 petrol, 101Ps turbo diesel and range topping 160 include high security protection. Prices start at 8,264 (excl. VAT).



The Rover CDV is derived from the companys best selling Rover 25. It brings style, presence and practicality together for the first time in the sector. Available with a 84Ps 1.4-litre petrol and 101Ps 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine, the Rover CDV, priced from 7,072 (excl. VAT), provides outstanding value for money. High specification features include the intelligent TrafficMaster traffic alert system, ideal for congestion avoidance. Rover CDV is the only product to feature this equipment as standard.



Both vehicles feature excellent levels of specification, an interior that includes a fully flat rear lined loadspace, partial steel bulkhead (with the option of a full height loadspace grille) and secure lashing points. The loadspace is best in class and panel sides are large enough to carry a business identity. Approved LPG conversions are available on the 1.4-litre petrol models.


Guy Pigounakis, UK Commercial Director, MG Rover Group, stated: The announcement of the Rover CDV and MG Express answers the demands of individuals and small business users who desire versatile products that are economic in operation and have distinctive style. The MG Express and Rover CDV are class-leading delivery vehicles.


Guy added: Im sure a great number of small businesses are going to get very excited about these new car derived vans, which are yet another example of MG Rover Groups ability to bring innovative products to the market and introduce new desirability into an established market sector.


Note to Editors:

A double first for both MG and Rover is the fact that neither has produced a car derived van before. Indeed the only van produced was MG founder Cecil Kimbers one-off MG M-Type midget High Speed Service Van of 1931 - never intended for production.

Ann MG Writer

SPECIFICATION DATA

Loadspace Dimensions
Aperture max height / width (mm) 795 / 1125

Max height (mm) 895

Max width / between wheel arches (mm) 1455 / 905

Max length (mm) 1315

Volume (litres) 979



Rover colour paint finishes
Solid – Solar Red, Dover White or Midnight Blue
Metallic – Anthracite, Starlight Silver or Seafrost Blue
Pearlescent – British Racing Green, Nightfire Red, Sienna Gold or Royal Blue


MG colour paint finishes
Solid – Solar Red or Trophy Yellow
Metallic – Anthracite, Starlight Silver or XPower Grey
Pearlescent – Le Mans Green, Royal Blue, British Racing Green, Nightfire Red or Trophy Blue

Ann MG Writer

MG Express Technical specification

Model 105 TD 160

Engine K Series L Series VVC K Series

Engine capacity 1.4-litre 2.0-litre turbo diesel 1.8-litre

Max Power – kW/Ps (rpm) 76/103 (6000) 74/101 (4200) 118/160 (7000)

Max Torque – Nm 123 (4500) 240 (2000) 174 (4500)



Performance and economy are similar to the donor MG ZR car, but will be affected by the combined weight of options, passengers and the loads carried.



Unladen weight (kg) 1015 1125 1070

Max. laden weight (kg) 1520 1600 1550

Max.axle weight F/R (kg) 830/750 915/750 830/750

Total carrying capacity 505 475 480


Ann MG Writer

That's cool! Praise the Lord they wont be available in white :-) They wont, will they? ... :-(
Lord Elpus

'fraid so ... Dover White ..... DOH!
John McFeely

But not the MG, Rover variants only .... :-))
John McFeely

ROFL! Now I never - who'd have thought it? An MG delivery van?

Either this is an outstandingly brilliant idea, or its the worst bit of brand mismanagement ever.

I can't keep grinning thinking about the insanity of the idea, so I fall into the former school of thought. I wonder what other MG enthusiasts think?

Will the MG Express be a 'real' MG? ;o)
Rob Bell

What I want is an MGF/TF variant van - now that could be interesting.

Actually I seem to remember seeing one at Gaydon that had been used during Project Phoenix days:-)

Ted
Ted Newman

An MG delivery van is not a new idea. A beautiful little MG van was created in the 1930s on an M type chassis for local deliveries. It vanished without trace but Peter Gregory built a superb replica in the 1980s which appeared n photographs and appeared at shows. It was then owned by Ian Hutchinson, club member, enthusiast and avid MG collector and I believe that the MG Van is now in Japan but maybe someone can advise. If you look up your copy of The MG Collection Pre-War Models Part 1. by Richard Monk (superb!) You'll see photographs and a history of the model.

To be fair, the MG Van wasn't a production model. It was created for local use for the MG Car Company.

As to "are the new MG vans" proper MGs? Congratulations, just like the first report of the call of the cuckoo or the first rumble of the lawn mower, you Rob are first to ask the inevitable question Will the MG Express be a 'real' MG?

Greater minds than ours must decide but when we need a new van for the MGOC, we'll trade in the rusty Escort and maybe buy an MG Express. Now, how does that roof come off?

Roche
roche bentley

>>>Now, how does that roof come off?
===as there's no 'smily' I'll take the bait and say this is typical of the man and the club that spouts weasel words about the Metro, Maestro and Montego MGs... big :o)
David

When I was working at Pressed Steel Fisher (part of BL), many years ago, we had a white MG metro van to collect parts in from Gaydon, Longbridge etc. The front end was GRP, was until someone stuffed into a porta cabin. The van went into production but not as an MG derivative, shame. A 6R4 version would have been something else, the ultimate 'white van'!

John.
JFK

I'm a huge MG fan and I have to say I'm very disappointed with the MG Express!!

I personally think that it dilutes the MG name and all that MG stands for. MG Rover should've just produced the Express as a Rover and not tarnish MG name.

How many Ferrari vans do you see out there??!!!!

Richard.
Richard Ferguson

I think its a great idea, might look for a job as delivery driver with one it its fleet.

It has to help the overall volume of sales, & I dont think it will dilute the image, everyone will now remember Blue MG Van Man!!
:-)
Kelvin

First comment is perhaps this thread needs to be renamed MG Z Saloons and Vans?

Secondly as regards sporting Vans the Renault 5 Turbo was officially marketed as a low-tax commercial vehicle in the Netherlands where removing the rear seats created a van (hence Montego Estate commercial too), but the R5 had no rear seats to start with (mid engine!).
More recently Ford did try to market an XR2 lookalike van here without success. And there has been a commercial version of the Rover 25 in Portugal for some time called Docklands.

Many years ago I did suggest taking the boot lid off the TR7 to make a tax-beating pickup. So maybe thats whats next for the TF??


John Dalton

Repeating my comments from the other thread:

Interesting news... I recall back in the 70s when Ford and Chevrolet here in the States introduced "panel" versions of their Pinto and Vega compacts.

The idea was exactly the same; panel in the rear side windows, omit the back seat, downgrade the trim, and aim the advertising at small businesses.

Judging by the numbers (not) seen on the road, the market responded with a rousing silence. Maybe today's UK market will provide a happier reception!

Gryf

As for Richard's question, "How many Ferrari vans do you see out there??!!!!", I humbly submit the following, with tongue firmly in cheek!

http://www.tybrainstorm.de/drogo/breadvan.html
Gryf Ketcherside

When I took delivery of my new MG Metro 1300 back in 1983, a local florist company also bought one (in Opaline Green) about the same time. It had steel panels fitted in place of the rear side windows (just like the Metro Van) and thus took advantage of the different tax on vans which applied back then (no special car tax!).

This Florist delivery MG Metro Van was a frequent sight about the area for several years. They now use a vintage 1930s style "cartwheel" van based on a later chassis to deliver their flowers ........

So, nothing really new .... If this latest MG-R Van venture generates much needed additional revenue for the company without huge financial outlay, then good for them ...... way to go. Lets face it, they still have a steep uphill task .... survival is important ... and this will help.

Just checked your link ...... Yes, Gryf, IIRC, those who witnessed the Racing Sports Car Ferraris back in the 1960s may well remember the fabulous Bread Van Ferrari ... one of the best sounding engines I ever heard .... as I said, nothing new really.

JMcF
John McFeely

It does seem a bit incredible that we're all getting worked up over a ZR with blanked-off rear windows and the removal of the rear seats.

On the other hand, it's got us all talking, there's no such thing as bad publicity and for minimal investment MGR has eked out a bit more life out of the ZR/R25.

I suppose it only makes sense though for small businesses that wish to acquire a stylish, non-utilitarian small van.

In which case is there a easy (ie non costly) way to "become" a small business so that one may evade paying the dreaded VAT and acquire a new MG for next to bugger all?

And would reglazing the rear and/or the retro-fitting of rear seats at a later date mean that if you'd acquired a CDV without incurring the payment of VAT, you'd have to pay 'owt?

The ZR. For all its faults it's still devilishly stylish and an entertaining drive. Better than a MINI for entertainment by all accounts, although I've never driven one TBQH.



Percival Lance

Gryf, thanks - I also immediately thought of the breadvan but did not know where to find a pic quickly.
PL - no, not without being VAT-registered which entails turnover of around £50k p.a. and submitting a quarterly VAT return etc....
David

A two seater MG, and all that room in the rear for In car Entertainment!! :-)
This is one van that could end up with a lot of street cred!

Kelv
Kelvin

I had forgotten about those MG's John.
In 1983 a customer had an imported one in black and wanted it converted to rear side windows.
I drilled through the panel and then used the air nibbler to begin to cut the panels out,I assumed the whole side was a pressed steel section like the Metro van.
The nibbler was of little use as the panel was thick and hard.I then looked inside and could see a lip,the panel had been spot welded in with not too many welds.Once I saw this the panels were ripped out easily.

So it was not van based dirivative, but the MG metro car with just the rear windows blanked off with metal plates.

I can not remeber seeing any more, if any.
Joe

Perhaps my next company car! An mgtf Express!

Yes we are VAT registered and I think you would find that Mr C&E might take more than a passing interest in you if you put the windows and seats back! Remember that VAT comes under Customs and Excise and they have awsome powers - far greater than any police force, in fact they make the Gestapo look like a charity.

Ted

Ted Newman

I think that there used to be a scam a few years back that involved putting blanking panels over the windows of an estate car folding down the seat base and removing the seat back. These cars were then used as vans during the week and could be converted back into cars at the weekend.

This may have been to do with avoiding taxation on company cars ('cos it was a van) rather than the base VAT.

Maybe this loophole has now been blocked.
dan

>>As to "are the new MG vans" proper MGs? Congratulations, just like the first report of the call of the cuckoo or the first rumble of the lawn mower, you Rob are first to ask the inevitable question Will the MG Express be a 'real' MG?<<

Roche, it is well accepted that NO REAL MG can ever be a REAL MG unless enthusiasts spend hundreds of thousands of man hours in the pub over a warm beer or three arguing whether the 'new MG' is a 'real' MG. So I thought that I might just as well get the ball rolling... LOL

This van is going to find real acceptance amongst the youngest drivers, and will soon be cropping up in an edition of Max Power near you. Street cred can be assured.

But is it a real MG? ;o) ;o)
Rob Bell

IMHO, the Express may only bear the badge of the once famous Abingdon facility, but I would certainly hope to see dealers and specialists using them in preference to the current breed of foreign vans with the MG R logo on the back!
Martin

I think Kelvin's got this right - "real" MG's have always been two seaters!
John Z

With regard to estates being run as vans by blanking the rear windows, I seem to recall it was companies like Granada and Visionhire (TV rental) used to do this (with Escort estates), the benefit being that after low tax van usage, they could be de-converted and sold as an Estate car and therefore realise a much higher residual value.
The name Express is interesting as it has been used on 2 vans previously - the Renault 5 Express (also badged Rapid) and the Talbot Express.
But perhaps an unfortunate choice given last month's news:
9 January 2003
Financial Times
MG Rover has begun legal action against Express Newspapers......
John Dalton

Note the insurance rating for the ZR 160 saloon is 15A and the rating for the Express 160 is 5E.

I have no insurance background, but subject to some heavy and specific commercial loadings for the Express that is sure to have a massive impact.

Rog
Roger Parker

This thread was discussed between 13/02/2003 and 20/02/2003

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