Rover 75 2004 Review

What we liked
>> Diesel engine
>> Handling and ride
>> Smooth auto

Not so much
>> Instruments
>> Compact interior
>> Interior rattles

OVERVIEW
The story of the new Rover 75 is a simple one: sharper styling, improved handing, better equipment and a simplified range. Four cars now make up the range and one of those is a new variant -- the Cdi turbo diesel. The Tourer has been dropped because SUVs rule the prestige wagon market.

Diesel engine aside, the changes are evolutionary and designed to enhance the superseded range rather than break substantial new ground. Later this year MG Rover importer, Motor Group Australia, will add rear-wheel drive, V8 option -- the same Ford 4.6-litre powerplant used in the MG ZT 260.

Changes to the car's exterior are immediately evident: sharper-edged front and rear styling, a larger and more prominent radiator grille, and a new headlamp arrangement that features halogen projector units.

Sharing similar DNA to the MG ZT range, the Rover is aimed at the prestige driver while the MG is for those with a sporting orientation, yet there is some cross over with the new models. For example, engineers have achieved more responsive steering achieved by fitting the same steering ratio as that fitted to MG ZT range.

Recommended retail prices for the 75 range are: Classic -- $49,990, Cdti -- $53,990, Club -- $59,990 and Connoisseur -- $69,990

FEATURES
Changes to the 75 range are more than skin deep. Rover has reworked the suspension to improve handling and ride, with the revised settings allowing more suspension travel, which softens the ride while retaining a sporting character.

Inside, changes include improved seat bolsters to increase comfort, revised instrumentation and backlighting, reworked dashboard and console texture finish, and improved rear legroom.

Equipment levels are high -- standard equipment on the Classic includes automatic temperature control, 16-inch alloy wheels, light oak interior, cruise control, power windows and mirrors, remote central locking and a six-stack, six-speaker CD player.

Over and above those, the Cdti gains a full leather interior and trip computer. The Classic ups the ante again, adding power adjust seats with memory settings and electric sunroof.

If you want one with the lot, the Connoisseur also provides a host of additional features, including rear parking sensors, chrome door mirrors, front fog lamps, wood/leather steering wheel, wood rim gear knob, burr walnut dashboard and console, satellite navigation, colour TV with rear tweeters, heated front seats and 17-inch alloy wheels.

COMFORT
All 75s are well-appointed, with standard equipment including widened seats, which are covered in velour on the Classic, and leather on all other variants. Seats are adjustable for height and lumbar, and Club and Connoisseur front seats feature electronic adjustment with three-position memory.

A tilt and reach-adjustable steering column helps drivers find a comfortable operating position.

Connoisseur also comes with an 'overdone' -- some might say gaudy -- leather and wood steering wheel, which can be ordered on the other three models, in place of the standard leather item.

All models come with dual zone climate control; cruise control and a six-speaker, six-stacker CD sound system with steering wheel controls.

SAFETY
The new Rovers have a host of safety features including ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution and a multitude of air bags: driver and passenger airbags, front seat airbags and side head protection bags, as well as front and rear seat-belt pre-tensioners and load limiters.

Twin projector headlights provide a clear path at night on all models, and the Connoisseur also has traction control, though this feature is not even an option on the lower spec cars.

MECHANICAL
The base engine is an aluminium 2.5-litre V6 with variable intake system that produces 130kW@6500rpm and 240Nm@4000rpm. Rover claims it will propel the S1625kg body from 0-100km/h in 9.5sec, and to a top speed of 215km/h.

Choose the 2-litre four-cylinder DOHC intercooled common rail turbo diesel and those figures change to 96kW@3500 and 300Nm@1900rpm. The slightly heavier diesel body (1655kg) travels 0-100km/h in 11.4sec, and will allow you to pay 'speed tax' up to 190km/h.

Rover claims the diesel drinks 6.7lt/100km over the combined cycle, and less than 5lt/100km on the highway. In comparison, the V6 delivers a combined cycle figure of 10-lt/100km.

Both engines are mated to a smooth shifting five-speed electronic adoptive automatic transmission with normal, sport and winter modes.

COMPETITORS
Rover is selling the idea of bigger bang for your buck by claiming the 75 range is "not the cheapest but is a comprehensively equipped prestige car that is the segment's best value".

The company believes consumers are likely to access the validity of that statement against the VW Passat 2.8 V6, Saab 9-3 Arc, Citroen C5 Exclusive, Jaguar X type 2.1 V6 and Volvo S60 SE.

ON THE ROAD
We had very little driving time in the cars so meaningful impressions couldn't be gained. Nevertheless, in the time we did have we discovered it's easy to find a comfortable driving position with tilt and reach steering wheel and wide, supportive seats that offer good adjustment. Like in the MG though, I found the radio console too wide, which restricts leg room.

There's plenty of old world charm thanks to the timber effect dashes and antique-style gauges. The latter was a nice touch, but when designing the faces and needles the clock has been turned back a little too much and they looked out of place in a current model car.

Our first drive was in the diesel and we were immediately impressed. The car drives far more like a petrol-engined vehicle than any diesel I've steered before and is certainly a more than viable alternative to its unleaded siblings. In fact, after our quick drive program, I'd say it was the pick of the bunch. MGA boss Michel De Vriendt says the model was imported because it's "Only matter of time before the Australian public gets advantages of diesels". With the Cdti, that time may not be far away.

Though sluggish from a standing start, once underway the Cdti is very responsive and delivers impressive performance. There's plenty of grunt in the low and mid ranges but very little noise to accompany it, which makes the car's true performance deceptive.

With a well-matched auto that selects and holds the right gear even on tight, twisting roads, the Cdti is an easy car to drive -- not at all demanding on the driver and clearly well suited to long, high speed driving.

The ride is supple but handling and roadholding are noticeably superior to the previous 75, and less bodyroll makes the car better suited to winding roads.

Reassuring brakes were effective and had good feel, while stability at high speed was also excellent.

The 2.5 V6 in the Connoisseur provides a different driving experience. The motor is also spritely, yet it works harder and is far noisier when pushed than the diesel. That, combined with the need to keep the engine revs much higher than the diesel means the driver works harder, too.

Like the diesel, the Connoisseur is well tied-down, hangs on tightly and turns into corners with precision.

In the Club there was more of the same, though in this case some doubt was cast over build quality, with rattles emanating from the radio console over the rough back roads of the Hunter Valley.