The ZT 260’s biggest problem is its cabin architecture, based around a car designed in the mid-1990s. It’s cramped enough to deny four adults reasonable comfort, while the fascia and the switchgear look old and decidedly cheap.
The gearbox is so wide it has devoured the space hitherto allocated to the driver’s left foot. On the plus side, at least the boot is still big enough for family shopping or holiday luggage.
In 1998, the Rover 75 offered exceptional refinement; transmogrified into the ZT 260 and transported into the 21st century it is, at best, average. Wind noise is well muted, but there’s some road roar and it’s rarely possible to escape the aural enthusings of the V8.
The ZT 260 is reasonably equipped, though the omission of traction control will raise eyebrows among many potential customers. The system from the Mustang was available but, says MG Rover, too crude. The company is working on its own system, but it won’t be the electronic stability control function that is now the accepted norm for the class. While it might be considered ‘refreshing’, driven every day in all conditions by drivers of varying skills, a saloon like this demands traction control. We wonder if a desire to deliver an uncorrupted drive is the real reason for its omission.
The ‘basic’ £27,995 260 features four airbags, anti-lock, climate-control, remote central locking and a CD/tuner. The SE version adds a television and navigation system, CD stacker, side-curtain airbags, leather upholstery, electric front seats and rear windows, plus a host of minor goodies for £4755 extra. Estate versions cost a further £1000.
During testing, the ZT 260 averaged 16.8mpg, sinking to 8.3mpg on the track and 20.4mpg on our touring route. Besides being expensive, that seriously limits range: even if you use the official 21.2mpg combined figure, it will be a brave and light-footed driver who dares put anything near 300 miles between fills.
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