Rover 75
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article is about the motor vehicle produced from 1998-2005. For the original Rover 75 of 1949-59, see Rover P4.
| Rover 75 | |
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| Manufacturer: | MG Rover |
|---|---|
| Production: | 1998–2005 |
| Predecessor: | Rover 600 Rover 800 |
| Successor: | SAIC Roewe 750 Nanjing MG 7Z |
| Class: | FF Executive car |
| Body style: | 4-door sedan 5-door estate |
| Engine: | 1.8 L I4 1.8 L Turbo I4 2.0 L V6 2.5 L V6 4.6 LV8 2.0 CDT I4 2.0 CDTi I4 |
| Related: | MG ZT SAIC Roewe 750 NAC MG 7Z |
| Roewe 750 | |
| Manufacturer: | SAIC |
|---|---|
| Production: | 2006-present |
| Predecessor: | None |
| Class: | FF Executive car |
| Body style: | 4-door sedan Estate TBC |
| Engine: | TBC |
| Related: | Rover 75 MG ZT NAC MG 7Z |
The Rover 75 (codenamed R40 during development) was an executive car produced by Rover at their Longbridge site in Birmingham, England. The Rover 75 was available with either a saloon or estate body and laterly, with front or rear wheel drive. The Rover 75 (along with the Jaguar S-Type was launched at the 1998 Birmingham Motor Show[1]. Deliveries commenced in June, 1999 from the Rover Cowley production facility.
Production of the Rover and MG branded models ceased in 2005 when manufacturer MG Rover entered administration, however Chinese manufacturer SAIC has started production of their version of the 75, called the Roewe 750, which is a stretched version of the standard R40 design developed from designs purchased from MG Rover Group in 2004. Rival Chinese manufacturer Nanjing Automobile Group plans to launch their version of the R40 design, called the MG 7Z sometime next year. This version will essentially be the same as the last models built in Britain by MG Rover Group.
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[edit] History
The Rover 75 started life as a project for the complete re-skin of the Rover 600, under the control of Rover Group designer Richard Woolley[2], but following the BMW takeover it was quickly decided that the Rover 600 wouldn't be re-skinned but replaced by an entirely new model. Work on the new model, codenamed 'R40' progressed well with little or no interference from BMW, with the basic design having received an enthusiastic response from BMW management and both BMW and Rover believing a retro design would be the ideal choice for Rover. Press speculation mounted towards the launch that the 75 was based on the BMW 5 Series thanks to the central tunnel in the chassis (normally only found on rear wheel drive cars) and the BMW Z-Link suspension from the rear wheel drive BMW 3-Series. The central tunnel was actually built into the chassis to increase structural rigidity.
The car quickly attracted praise for its characteristics, including its ride quality, interior, and traditional looks. Critics of the car labelled its styling too "retro", suggesting it had been designed with an older buyer in mind. However, the 75 won a series of international awards including various "Most Beautiful Car" awards, including one in Italy.[3][4]
Assembly originally took place at Cowley, but in 2000, following the break of the Rover Group and the split with BMW, production was moved to Longbridge[5]. 2001 saw the introduction of the Rover 75 Tourer, swiftly followed by the MG ZT and MG ZT-T. Between 2000 and 2003, there were few changes to the range, the biggest being the 2.0 V6 engine being joined by a low pressure turbo 1.8 4 Cylinder engine, the introduction of the greener 1.8 Turbo greatly benefitted British company car drivers who are taxed on CO2 emissions. A customization program Monogram was launched allowing buyers to order their car in a wider range of exterior paint colours and finishes, different interior trims and with optional extras installed during production.
In early 2004, Rover facelifted the design of the 75 to a less retro look. This design was given a mixed reception by the motoring press, and Rover announced a new V8 model with a completely different front grille only a few months later. This grille was said to be inspired by the Rover V8s of the past but caused some controversy, being similar to the then new style of larger Audis. A long wheelbase "limousine" version called Rover 75 Vanden Plas – about a foot longer than the regular 75 – also adopted this new grille. The Rover V8 grille was made available as an option for the rest of the range shortly afterwards.
[edit] Future production
The Rover 75 and MG ZT are currently out of production because MG Rover Group went into administration in April 2005. Specifications for the Rover 75 design were purchased by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) in early 2005, though new MG Rover Group owner, Nanjing Automobile Corporation (NAC) now owns the tooling for the car. It was thought unlikely that a dispute would arise since both companies are owned by the Chinese state, however SAIC have since started production of their version of the Rover 75, while NAC are continuing to press forward with production of their version, the MG 7Z.
In January 2006, Automotive News reported that both Nanjing and SAIC would make the 75 saloon. Nanjing says it will produce the 75 as the MG 7, and the 75 Tourer as the MG 7T, from 2007.[6]
In August 2006, the first images and details of SAIC's version of the Rover 75 appeared, originally this was to be called the Lu-sheng 75, however following the purchase of the Rover brand by Ford, a new name of Roewe has been created for use, worldwide. The brand and Roewe 750 will be launched under the at the 2006 Beijing Motor Show, which takes place in November.
[edit] Models
1999-2004
- Classic
- Classic SE
- Club
- Club SE
- Connoisseur
- Connoisseur SE
- Vanden Plas<
2004-2005 (facelift)
- Classic
- Connoisseur
- Connoisseur SE
- Contemporary
- Contemporary SE
- Vanden Plas
2001-2005 MG ZT and ZT-T
- CDTi (Common-Rail TurboDiesel unit in 110 bhp and 130 bhp forms)
- 160/160+ (Initially detuned 2.5 litre KV6, later turbocharged 1.8 K-series)
- 190/190+ (2.5 litre KV6)
- 180+ (2.5 litre KV6 with JatCo automatic gearbox)
- 260+ (4.6 litre V8 derived from Ford Mustang)
2006 SAIC Lu-sheng 75
- 1.8 Turbo base (18K4G, based on K-series)
- 1.8 Turbo high-line (18K4G)
- 2.5 base (25K4F, based on KV6)
- 2.5 high-line (25K4F)
[edit] The Rover 75/MG-ZT Owners Club
The Rover 75 and MG-ZT have a keen following from owners and there is now an owners' club based in the United Kingdom. The club organises meets, technical information, tricks/tips and fun social events.
[edit] References
- ^ MG Rover.org
- ^ The Unofficial Austin Rover Web Resource
- ^ BBC News
- ^ CarPages 1st January 2002
- ^ European Union Industrial Relations News
- ^ Automotive News report on Nanjing's future plans for the 75
[edit] External links
- Austin-Rover.co.uk Rover 75/MG ZT Index page
- Rover Team
- Rover Turkey Web Page
- 75 and ZT Owners Club
- 75 and ZT V8 Owners Group
