THE Z200 SERIES 1977-1983 (Mk.II)
The restyled Z200 Mk.I was at the limit of its possibility as conservative designed small sedan in the mid 70’s economic stage. The hatchbacks design had undeniably advantages and markets favour. Since the 1974 the engineering and design department was working fully ahead for a hatchback replacement of the Z200. Becasue, together with this new Z200, it was necessary to find also a temporary solution to find a replacement for the old Z300, the car was bigger than the previous Z200 and smaller than the Z300. This “unified” series was internally named Z250, where the Z200 were the hatchbacks and the Z300 the sedans.
The car was a mix of conservative choices and innovation. The body, of course, was an innovation, but also the rear suspension, indipendent (finally) but more expensive. The cost cutting is on the re-use of the existing engine of the Znopresk (the 1.7 inline 4 and the 2.2 liter boxer 6) pool and the same longitudinal front wheel drive, not far away from the solutions debuted on the 1953 Žnoprešk Z1753.
The trim available were the same as for the earlier series (Prima, Linea, Sala, Sport and Turismo).
Here the standard US version, that was sold, as for the ealier seires in a single trim with a single engine option.
Z217 US (MY1976)
For european standard a quite luxurious Žnoprešk. Standard interior and AM/FM radio, manual gearbox (the last one fitted with this kind of transmission). The emission restriction and the old engine was a penalty that crippled the sales until the “post-Zap!” Zest will be presented in the early 80’s.
Z322 Sala (MY1976)
With a boxer six engine, more luxurious interior and equipment, this trim was the perfect choice for the fresh european middleclass that grown with a Znopresk and wanted something more posh to drive around.