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MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - Streetwise

This car has just been receiving some awful reviews in the continental press.
If the commendable ZS achieved so few sales,the streetwise could actually damage the dealer's ,(and Rover's) reputation prior to the arrival of the CityRover.
Why on earth was this vehicle ever produced & will the UK market absorb the sales?
antoine

Apparently 1000 sold in the first month, and I have seen at least two within the hour in Manchester, so someone must like them!
In fact VW are launching a Polo version and the press are saying it is in response to the Streetwise, so one assumes other manufacturers see it as a potential niche vehicle. Ford started it with the Fusion although in their case it was not quite as rugged looking as the SV with its off-road pretender looks. In fact Fiat Panda 4x4 was years ahead!
As to why it was produced, the press releases claimed that it was the work of the young designers at Rover who wanted to make the 25 look funky!
Martin

Well I suppose the proof of the production is in the sales but I think this transient british fad will blow over in a few months & not be of much interest in Continental Europe.
alex

Too many journos are like pack animals - they here what one or two say and then spout the same point of view. There was some negativity with the Streetwise (more cynical view of the spin-doctoring that surrounded it and the rather naff name rather than any real subjective views on the competence or otherwise of the actual product). I suspect (but don't know) that some our continental journalist friends have picked up on the British journo viewpoints without even sitting behind the wheel of a 'Streetwise' let alone driving one! For a considered view on the car, read what Steve Cropley has had to say about it.
Ann MG Writer

I was sitting next to Ann at the launch of Streetwise and commented something along the lines of, 'oh no what have they done?'

When able to look over the display examples a short time later I warmed to the concept but was not convinced. Got home and showed the photos to wife and daughter and both exclaimed that they liked it. Then spoke to an elederly chap who runs a R25 who saw one in a shopping mall demo. He went over and said to the guys there that he ran a R25 but found that he had some difficulty as he had to sit down into the car. He tried the Streetwise and found it superb as the extra raised ride and seat changes made it much easier for him to get in and out, plus the roof bars were handy to hold onto. So at a stroke I find that three generations are positive about it.

Next I have had the opportunity to drive all 4 models (inc the yet to be released 1.6 petrol with LPG) I have to say that the cars impressed for a number of reasons and the diesel was the best model for me. I expected something of a compromise with the big wheels and chunky tyres adding to the raised ride height to spoil the car and id was the opposite. Road humps for example were effectively reduced in size. In fact the cars are such that I feel that if anything is hurt it will be ZR sales.

Rog
Roger Parker

I cant think that anyone can actually enjoy the Streetwise, except to stand and look at it on the drive and quite honestly that is where it belongs...parked up and not on the road.
I have got one as a courtesy vehicle awaiting delivery of a new MG ZT, having just given up my Rover 75....in the past 3 years i have driven most of the MGRovers but i can honestly say that this is the worst ever! Its unsafe, uneconomical and under powered...its also very much unloved and unwanted!
Jon Boyden

It's ghastly!
Eric

This thread was discussed between 29/10/2003 and 18/11/2003

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