Der komplette Artikel zum 75:
Wednesday 13th July 2005 \t
New 75 Hails Rover's Return...
It's not over for Rover! And in our sensational pictures in this week's Auto Express we take the wraps off two radical new machines which are set to rise from the ashes of the collapsed manufacturer.
Thanks to exclusive inside information, we can show you exactly how the replacements for both the Rover 75 and 45 (Page 8 of this week's issue) will look when they hit showrooms in the UK within the next two years - resurrecting Britain's most important car company.
Both models will be manufactured in the UK by a new firm operating as part of a joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) - the Chinese giant which bought the rights to produce the Rover 25, 75 and TF, and build K Series engines. SAIC will design and develop the new cars, which will be sold through the Rover dealer network in Britain. With much of the development work already underway - in the hands of ex-MG Rover engineers at UK-based automotive consultancy Ricardo and the Chinese - insiders estimate that the new 45 and 75 could go on sale as soon as 2007 and 2008 respectively.
Marking a radical departure from traditional Rovers, both models have striking designs. Pictured for the first time, the new 75 is much bolder and sportier than before, featuring a sweeping profile, chunky, high waistline and rising tail. What's more, the car already exists - a prototype version is currently being stored in a secret location at Rover's Longbridge site.
With a fresh and distinctive horseshoe grille plus shapely headlight arrangement - similar in concept to the Audi and Volkswagen corporate look - the next 75 boasts some much-needed aggression. The rear is finished off with swooping tail-lights which extend over the boot line.
The new car is shorter than the current 75, but it is 50mm taller and 100mm longer than BMW's 3-Series, so should offer better interior space than its German rival. Motorists can also expect a luxurious, high-quality cabin - a stand-out feature of the existing car, but which has since been eclipsed by new models such as Volkswagen's Passat. There will be plenty of equipment on offer, including sat-nav and Bluetooth telephone compatibility.
Likely to use a development of the current 75 platform, the fresh model will continue with front-wheel drive, complementing its more dramatic styling with better handling and sharper steering. However, the ride is still likely to be the best in its class for comfort.
Petrol engines will feature the current line-up of 1.8-litre, 1.8 turbo and 2.5 V6 units, with diesel power possibly coming from Volkswagen or General Motors - two of SAIC's partners. An MG ZT version is pencilled in to arrive at the same time as the 75 in 2008, offering a more driver-focused experience and even more dramatic looks. There is also potential for a two-door variant to rival BMW's 3-Series Coupé and the Mercedes CLK.
Und zum 45:
Wednesday 13th July 2005 \t
...And '45' Is On Its Way Back Too!
It's not only the compact executive market that will be targeted by the owners of MG Rover's best technology... SAIC also has its eyes on the huge family car market.
A new medium-sized model - codenamed RD60 - had already made prototype stage in the hands of MG Rover. The work started in Longbridge will be continued to form the 45 replacement. Aimed at the Ford Focus and VW Golf, it will blend the styling cues of the three cars pictured on the right, and the result will be an MPV-like hatch that rivals the all-new Honda Civic for visual drama.
We revealed the back of the MG Rover-built 45 replacement in Issue 845 - and the amazing images in this week's issue prove the story isn't over yet! The car gets a bold Rover badge in a sporty new mesh grille surrounded by chrome. Enhancing the look are narrow headlamps and aggressive spotlights. As on the 75, a high waistline and chunky pillars, combined with relatively small glass areas, mean a strong profile. Further stylish touches include extended wheelarches and distinctive lights set into a one-piece tailgate.
Shorter than the current 45 but longer than a Focus, the newcomer should have one of the most spacious interiors in class
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. Headroom will be particularly impressive due to a tall MPV-like roofline that extends to meet the chopped rear window. Build and material quality is tipped to be as good as in premium brands, with generous equipment, a host of airbags and a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating.
Under the skin, the front-wheel-drive car is set to use a modified 75 platform with suspension tuned to give a sporty, but comfortable, driving experience.
The engine range should comprise the existing car's 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8-litre K Series petrol units, with diesel power potentially from VW or GM - as in the 75. Due on sale in 2007, the new 45 should debut at the Paris Motor Show in September 2006. A new MG ZT is likely, too, and both machines could be assembled on the same production line as the current 75 was at Longbridge, to cut costs. "Long-term plans centre on this line," said an insider. "It's set up to take more than one model as it's extendable."
Meanwhile, an all-new supermini is expected to replace both the CityRover and 25. The future of the TF cabrio rests on the joint venture's success - while SAIC owns the rights to build it, there is little demand for sports cars in China.
Beide Artikle stammen aus der aktuellen Auto-Express
