| Since retrieval from the hands of BMW, Rover | | | | 25 Now showing age in form of driveline vibration |
| has become Britain's biggest domestically-owned | | | | which betrays its 1980s origin, the 25 continues to |
| car maker. Despite being ... | | | | soldier on as a favorite of more mature drivers |
| Since retrieval from the hands of BMW, Rover | | | | who appreciate ownership of what is perceived |
| has become Britain's biggest domestically-owned | | | | and marketed as a very British car. Even though |
| car maker. Despite being financially challenged, the | | | | the model started life as a Honda. As the car |
| company is building a lot of fine cars, the classic | | | | approaches the end of its life there are some |
| lines of the 75 and much attention to build quality | | | | excellent added-value bargain versions due to |
| has ensured the model still remains a favorite with | | | | appear. CITY ROVER Developed and built in India, |
| executive car buyers, and even the ageing 25 | | | | City Rover is what it says on the name plate; a |
| was given a new lease of life when designer | | | | Rover for city driving. The compact four seater is |
| Peter Stevens turned out a new variant, | | | | a pleasing little package-especially now that early |
| Streetwise. A replacement of 25 and 45 | | | | build quality issues have been overcome-and |
| models-both of which are based on relatively | | | | makes use of 1.4 litre engine which endows the |
| ancient Honda models from the era when Rover | | | | car with smart acceleration. The absence of a |
| was allied to that manufacture-is promised the | | | | diesel variant is seen as a weakness, but a keen |
| near future, but in the meantime Rover has | | | | price point allows the car to compete against |
| re-entered the pocket-sized car market place | | | | established rivals from Korea such as Daewoo |
| thanks to a joint venture with Indian | | | | Matiz and Hundia Getz. If there is a flaw in the |
| manufacturer Tata which led the City Rover. The | | | | package it is the absence of diesel variant-this is |
| 75V8, which uses a sophisticated 4.6 litre power | | | | unlikely to be remedied in the foreseeable future, |
| unit beneath its bonnet; this is simply shoe-horning | | | | as the budgets are too restricted. STREETWISE |
| a large engine into the front of the car., as the | | | | Geared to provide young drivers with an |
| V8 will break Rovers front wheel drive tradition | | | | affordable machine, Streetwise is a |
| by putting its power through the rare wheels. | | | | radically-altered 25 which draws heavily on |
| Financial security is still someway off, but the | | | | post-modern surf culture, skid-yump moldings |
| future of Rover is cautiously optimistic. 75 When | | | | front and rear, roof bars for holding the board |
| it was launched, this car surprised observers- here | | | | and jacked-up suspension combines to give lots of |
| was the Rover that could stand tall with the | | | | street-to-beach credibility. Despite the raised ride |
| products of then-owner BMW. A healthy range of | | | | height handling is still surprisingly good, and there is |
| front drive cars- all of which have a high level of | | | | a choice of engine options designed to meet the |
| credibility- has joined the super new V8. It has | | | | insurance-led economic strictures faced by Britain's |
| sophisticated Ford engine in the front, driving it | | | | youth. The inside is equally special with four |
| out through the rear wheels. With 260PS to play | | | | bucket seats and a high-quality audio system. Cool |
| with, and suitably uprated suspension, this is a | | | | Dude. Interestingly, despite its youth appeal, most |
| spiritual successor to the Rover V8s of the | | | | seem to be bought by mid-life crisis sufferers. |
| 1970s, but with vastly superior driving dynamics. | | | | |