At the rear, the ZS has a new appearance, with a new, more angular rear bumper and rear boot / tailgate treatment with a lower re-positioned number plate position. This lowers the eye-line to give the car a more defined rear, whilst the addition of a rear lip spoiler (to all MG ZSs, both 5dr and 4dr body styles) helps to change the rear profile of the car considerably.

Another major exterior difference on the new MG ZS is the availability of an all new "body kit" treatment, standard on ZS 180 derivatives, and available as an option on the ZS range. This body kit includes front and rear wheelarch spats, front fender vents, and side sill finisher. The features have a major effect on the appearance of the car, giving it a much more muscular appearance and increase the differentiation of the ZS 180 vs the standard cars from the rest of the range, and take-up is expected to exceed demand from the current status.

New 17" 11-spoke alloy wheels are specified on the new ZS 180, and because they have a larger 7.5J rating, effectively improving steering response, they further enhance the already superb chassis handling characteristics. These will be standard on the ZS 180, and an option on the rest of the range when specified as a package with the optional body kit.

A key new comfort specification feature introduced on MG ZS is Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) air conditioning. This luxury feature allows the precise desired temperature of the air conditioning to be set, in Fahrenheit or Centigrade, with an external temperature display and solar sensor compensation. The new control panel is fully integrated in the console. This feature is standard on ZS 180, and available as an option on ZS+ models.

A new feature for the latest ZS is the remote activated boot release feature. This customer convenience feature allows a key owner easier access to the boot of the car; by pressing a third button on the remote plip, the owner can release the boot lock while approaching the car. The boot will then be open by the time they get to the car, and is particularly useful when either or both hands are full.

The interior also features revised column stalks that have a superior feeling matt finish. The switches used within the revised centre console are soft-touch membrane switches that look and operate in a more positive and modern way.

At service, the program wash / wipe facility can be programmed to vary the number of times the wipers operate after the windscreen wash has finished. A new ‘Dribble Wipe’ feature is an extra wipe of the screen approximately 4 seconds after the last wipe has occurred, after the program wash wipe, to capture any subsequent water dribble.

Auto relocking – if the car is locked / armed and the unlock button pressed, the car will auto lock / rearm if no doors are opened within 30 seconds and assumes the vehicle was unlocked / disarmed accidentally.

Speed locking – doors automatically lock when vehicle speed is greater than 3 mph / 5 km/h. The doors remain locked when the vehicle is stationary and will automatically unlock again when the ignition is turned off. Doors can be unlocked by using the master lock / unlock button.

MG ZS performed well in recent What Car? Security tests and has a Thatcham
Cat. 1 alarm, top level security system and complies with the latest 2004 Security directives. The alarm system uses a battery backed up sounder, located within a shielded enclosure and protected with tamper proof fixings, which will activate if the power supply is tampered with.

Audible mislock – features a short horn sound if door / boot / bonnet are open when the vehicle is locked with the key or remote. The boot is more secure now the key lock is no longer specified and Automatic Engine immobilisation is activated after the ignition is switched off.

The new remote plip has a changing lock / unlock code every time it is used. No thief could record (or capture) the code then use it later. A new design of plip now features lock, unlock and remote boot release opening. It can be operated with the alarm armed or disarmed. The alarm rearms when the boot is closed, with hazard warning lamps flashing to indicate this security. The latest plip design has a much enhanced operating range.