QUOTE
It's never 'Rover' until the final whistle - and this week's mag carries the proof that Britain's most important manufacturer is planning to mount a spectacular resurgence.
The image shows how the replacement for the Rover 45 will look when it debuts next year. It's based on a scoop shot leaked to Auto Express from an industry insider, which is said to have been smuggled out of the studio of the Longbridge firm's design chief, Peter Stevens.
The stunning pictures in the mag illustrate what's in store for MG Rover, which is currently involved in critical talks with Chinese industrial giant SAIC to secure its future and bring in much needed investment.
A decision is expected within the next two months, and if the deal gets the go-ahead, MG Rover will be free to develop its VW Golf and Ford Focus rival, which means it could arrive in UK dealers by early 2006.
One source revealed: "The medium-sized car project at Longbridge is well on track - most of the design work has been completed, the vehicle exists in principle and, with the right investment, it could be put into production quickly, within a timescale of, say, 12 months."
The pictures will come as a shock to those who expected the next Rover to follow the styling of the TCV concept, which was first seen at 2002's Geneva Motor Show. While the car in our pictures retains the same basic profile, the design is much more swoopy, with a distinctive 'kick' over the rear wheelarch and a tall, MPV-like body. Although the front end remains hidden, at the rear the newcomer features a large, one-piece tailgate, which should give owners unrivalled access to the load bay.
However, the distinctive tail-lights are not unlike those of VW's all-new Passat - proving that company bosses have quality brands firmly within their sights. Our source hinted: "Rover knows it has to develop cars of a similar standard to those offered by rivals.
"If not a class leader, the 45 replacement will at least be on a par with models such as the Golf and Focus. The management knows it has to be, and with the right investment it will be."
The new machine will be assembled at Longbridge, and in terms of its dimensions is said to be smaller than the current-generation 45. It's built on a modified 75 platform, which has been fine-tuned to deliver a more sporty driving experience. Power will come from a range of engines based on the existing model's K Series motors, but these will be re-engineered to provide greater refinement and comply with strict Euro IV emissions regulations.
Insiders also hinted that designers within Longbridge are working on various other projects, including a supermini to replace both the 25 and City-Rover in one hit, plus a sporty model based on the car seen in the mag's pictures.
The 75 and MG TF are not due for replacement until at least 2008, but before then, both are to get new model derivatives. Studies are currently being carried out into the viability of coupé variants of the two - which were exhibited at the end of last year - with a view to putting at least one of them into production in 2006.
What's more, a bespoke interior has been tailored for the 75 Coupé Concept, which is said to point the way to the manufacturer's future cabin design.
Craig Cheetham
Article from: Auto Express
The image shows how the replacement for the Rover 45 will look when it debuts next year. It's based on a scoop shot leaked to Auto Express from an industry insider, which is said to have been smuggled out of the studio of the Longbridge firm's design chief, Peter Stevens.
The stunning pictures in the mag illustrate what's in store for MG Rover, which is currently involved in critical talks with Chinese industrial giant SAIC to secure its future and bring in much needed investment.
A decision is expected within the next two months, and if the deal gets the go-ahead, MG Rover will be free to develop its VW Golf and Ford Focus rival, which means it could arrive in UK dealers by early 2006.
One source revealed: "The medium-sized car project at Longbridge is well on track - most of the design work has been completed, the vehicle exists in principle and, with the right investment, it could be put into production quickly, within a timescale of, say, 12 months."
The pictures will come as a shock to those who expected the next Rover to follow the styling of the TCV concept, which was first seen at 2002's Geneva Motor Show. While the car in our pictures retains the same basic profile, the design is much more swoopy, with a distinctive 'kick' over the rear wheelarch and a tall, MPV-like body. Although the front end remains hidden, at the rear the newcomer features a large, one-piece tailgate, which should give owners unrivalled access to the load bay.
However, the distinctive tail-lights are not unlike those of VW's all-new Passat - proving that company bosses have quality brands firmly within their sights. Our source hinted: "Rover knows it has to develop cars of a similar standard to those offered by rivals.
"If not a class leader, the 45 replacement will at least be on a par with models such as the Golf and Focus. The management knows it has to be, and with the right investment it will be."
The new machine will be assembled at Longbridge, and in terms of its dimensions is said to be smaller than the current-generation 45. It's built on a modified 75 platform, which has been fine-tuned to deliver a more sporty driving experience. Power will come from a range of engines based on the existing model's K Series motors, but these will be re-engineered to provide greater refinement and comply with strict Euro IV emissions regulations.
Insiders also hinted that designers within Longbridge are working on various other projects, including a supermini to replace both the 25 and City-Rover in one hit, plus a sporty model based on the car seen in the mag's pictures.
The 75 and MG TF are not due for replacement until at least 2008, but before then, both are to get new model derivatives. Studies are currently being carried out into the viability of coupé variants of the two - which were exhibited at the end of last year - with a view to putting at least one of them into production in 2006.
What's more, a bespoke interior has been tailored for the 75 Coupé Concept, which is said to point the way to the manufacturer's future cabin design.
Craig Cheetham
Article from: Auto Express
Only an artists impression I know, but if the production version is anything like this it'll be a step in the right direction IMO.
