Montes Zender

The Montes **Zender** (1975-2000) was a mid-size coupé GT, designed to compete with the established Japanese affordable sportscars, popular on the USA since the late 60s.

## Powertrain

### Engines

CG30SE (3.0 inline 6 12v); CG30SET (3.0 i6 12v turbo); G20B (2.0 inline 4 16v)

## Chronology

### Successor

Zender MK2 (ZE2)

The development of the ZE1 started on 1969, with the objective to expand more the brand to North America, and compete with the Fairlady Z, and the later-released Celica and rotary-powered RX2 and RX3.

The selected poweplants, on the release day (1th April 1975), was two well-known family engines. The CG30 and G20 series (i6 and i4), the first fitted with a single 4-carb, with 147hp at 5500 RPM, while the G20 is fitted with a single DCOE carb, with 122hp at 6100 RPM.

In 1978, the Turbo version was released. Using the same SOHC 12v CG30, but with mechanical injection, and of course, an intercooled turbo system. The engine has 177hp at 5600 RPM, and featured low turbo lag.

The chassis, with double wishbone and brake disks on both axles, was well criticized by the media.

The assisted steering wheel, featured a system that avoids the center deadzone, typical on hydraulic power steerings. Allowing a better guidance and confidence while driving.

The radio system, was a premium Blaupunkt system, with equailzer and amplifier, and 6 speakers, as an extra, for the GLX trim.

All the versions featured a 2+2 seat configuration. And, for the GLX trim, electric adjustable seats.

The production ended with 245.134 units.

## Powertrain

### Engines

EG630RT (3.0T); EG624RT (2.5T); EG630RT2 (3.0T); EG625RT2 (2.5T), EG629RT (2.9T)

### Transmission

5-speed manual gearbox, 4-speed auto gearbox

## Dimensions

### Weight

1319-1398kg

On the 1981 Geneva Auto Show, the second generation Zender was shown.

The design was more wedged, and featured only inline 6 engines, from a new family. A 2.5 and a 3.0. The first, naturally aspirated, and the second one, turbocharged. But the 2+2 seat configuration remained.

The car was more focused to the luxury, on the 3.0 turbo trim, and featured a full digital cluster, a 4-slot Clarion G80 with 8 speakers now (plus subwoofer), two-zone climatizer, and electric-adjustables seats, with inflatable bags, to adapt better to the body.

In 1985, the restyling was presented, which mainly affected the exterior and interior design, in addition to improving the engines, as well as the quality of construction.

One of the biggest changes at an aesthetic level, was the change from the sealed beams, to headlights with their own design, thanks to the changes in the regulations of the USA, a country in which 75% of sales were focused.

The spectacular RS MRP version was also launched, with the objective of conquering Group B of rallies.

## Powertrain

### Transmission

5-speed manual gearbox, 4-speed auto gearbox

## Dimensions

### Weight

1320-1357kg

The last Zender, up-to date, was the ZE3, shown for first time on the NAIAS 1990 Auto Show.

The design broke the liftback wedged body design, to a more rounded 3 volume coupe body.

On the release day, the engine family was the same as the previous generation, but with some tweaks to increase the power, reliability and torque. On the restyling, the engines were now fitted with VVL, to improve smoothness, and low-end performance.