West Midlands and Shropshire Ambulance Services are to sign a deal with MG Rover to take delivery of two MG ZT-T estate cars as rapid response vehicles. The deal is worth more than £40,000 at showroom prices.

Incident commanders and paramedic technicians will use the trophy-yellow cars to attend 999 calls. The vehicles will be added to the 400-strong West Midlands Ambulance Service Trust fleet, which covers 364 square miles and responds to more than 1000 emergency calls a day.

The Trophy Yellow cars are almost showroom spec ZT-T 190s featuring a sports suspension and 2.5-litre K-series V6 engine. The 0-60 dash takes 8.2 seconds and top speed is 135mph. Extras include lifesaving equipment, a roof bar light and ambulance livery.

Bob Seaward, deputy chief executive and director of operations for West Midlands and Shropshire Ambulance Services, is impressed by the MG ZT-T. “We are also delighted to support local industry and see a quality British product on the road,” he says.

Last year, MG Rover launched a bid for blue-light fleet business by offering the ZT-T to police forces. Gavin Thompson, MG Rover Group specialist sales manager, says blue-light fleets are warming to MG's Z-cars.