Slightly Sharper Handling
by Robert Lewis (22 Oct 02)


Many of the new features in the revised Rover 45 range, including the Traffic Alert system, are common to the 25, and we won't repeat them here. The rear park sensors, though, are fitted as standard on the 45 rather than being extra-cost options as on the smaller car.

At standstill, the interior trim changes are the most noticeable new items, but dynamically the thing that counts is the revised chassis set-up. Rover has transferred some of the MG ZS settings to the 45, while managing to keep the quite supple ride quality customers for this model obviously expect.

The suspension is 10mm lower, it's a little firmer at the front and mildly tweaked at the rear. The changes aren't the same on all models in the 45 range, but each version has modified spring, damper and anti-roll bar ratings.

There's no suggestion that the 45 has suddenly become a sports saloon (or five-door hatchback) because that's the MG role. However, on some hill and moorland roads a couple of the latest versions certainly handled quite crisply at speed while still keeping bounce-about to a minimum.

The revised interior keeps up Rover's traditional standards, and the 45 looks rather classy with the latest duotone fascia treatment and rosewood pattern inserts. It's not just the different cabin design which separates it from the 25, of course. This is a bigger car altogether, with more satisfactory rear legroom and a handsomely sized boot.

Separating The Saloons

Rover takes a curious attitude to the 45 model designations. The five-door versions are labelled iE, iS, iL, iXS and iXL, but in ascending order of trim and equipment levels the four-door saloons are called Classic, Club and Connoisseur.

There are four petrol engines: 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8-litres plus the very smooth two-litre KV6 offered only with the saloon bodywork. The 1.4-litre is reserved for the five-doors.

A Connoisseur KV6 saloon is quite a high-class affair, bearing in mind how much better Rover is at interiors than many of its more "techno" rivals. I'm not convinced, however, that offering it only with the Stepspeed automatic transmission is a great idea. The V6's 0-60mph time of 9.5 seconds is a couple of tenths slower than the 1.8 manual.

But the two-litre turbo diesel is a strong mid-range performer, with quite a rorty engine note when pushed hard. Excellent economy too, of course, at 66.4mpg extra urban and 52.7mpg combined, as well as CO2 emissions right on 150g/km.

As well as the petrol and turbo diesel showroom models, from October the 45 (hatchback and saloon) is one of the Rovers available with an after-market LPG conversion. At the moment the conversion can be fitted only to cars with the 1.8-litre petrol engine and manual transmission, although MG Rover says it will spread the petrol/LPG dual-fuel option to other models in its range.

The system is bought in from Landi Renzo, and all MG Rover dealerships are being given the opportunity to become approved installers, in partnership with EcoGas. The retail price is £2195, but the 45 qualifies for a 60% Powershift rebate.

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