MG HAS muscled in on the powerplant from the iconic Ford Mustang to create its first V8 in decades.

The Rover 75-derived MG ZT 260 V8 is a totally transformed machine. MG predicts that the 155mph ZT 260 V8, capable of nought to 60mph in around six seconds, will attract buyers from established premium sports saloons such as the BMW 330i, Jaguar X-Type 3.0 and Volvo S60 T5.

The rear-wheel-drive vehicle, available in ZT saloon and ZT-T estate styles, and powered by a 260bhp 4.6-litre V8 engine 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. The provisional insurance group is 18P.

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 ZT 260 is a fully engineered evolution of the front-wheel-drive ZT. Clever installation techniques have permitted the larger capacity engine and rear-wheel drive power-train to be incorporated within the robust bodyshell, without major visual changes.

Below the skin the platform is largely new with significant changes to many functional vehicle systems to accommodate the revised drive-line layout, to produce a car of great driving character.

Recently, a development ZT-T V8 was taken to the Salt Flats at Bonneville, Utah, USA, where the MG achieved a maximum speed of 225mph from a specially tuned V8 engine variant. For more information, call Rowes Rover 01256 697750.