Rover Torque - for all Modern Rover Owners'

More Showrooms, Lower Sales
November 04
It has been stated on news channels today, that MG-Rover will be opening upto 130 more showrooms (most of them in the UK), to try and improve sales of their cars. MG-Rover have sold less than 120,000 units this year, the worst figure for a decade. Cost of a brand new car is being slashed, with customers saving upto £1,500 off a new Rover 25 base model.

CONCEPT COUPE
November 2004
"Beautiful …. The new 75 coupe looks as good as a Bentley Continental", that's what The Sun had to say on Friday 17th November 2004 about the Rover 75 Coupe.
MG-Rover themselves say "Britishness, understated elegance and always an interior that is undeniably 'a better place to be' are Rover virtues that have come together in the Rover 75 Coupe concept car.
The company's design team wanted to mark the first 100 years of the Rover marque with a stylish design that would sit confidently as the latest in the line of renowned Rovers like the P4, the handsome P5 coupe, the innovative P6 2000 model and the bold SD1 hatchback.
This has been achieved in the form of the Rover 75 Coupe concept - a beautiful and elegant two-door expression of the stylish 75 Saloon. The concept's interior strongly focuses on Yew wood and Tan leather hide introducing the style of designer furniture into the automotive lounge, extending Rover's trademark for a welcoming interior.
Peter Stevens, Rover's design director says: "I want people to turn away for a moment from post modern brutalism and to enjoy the elegant and timeless lines of the 75 Coupe's design. The true character of a Rover comes from its ability to present a cosseting environment with comfort and refinement being the high priorities, elements that should be expressed in the form and detailing of the exterior of the car.
"Heritage is a great strength for a marque as it gives you the terms of reference and something to build on for the future. That is exactly how we saw the challenge of presenting a Rover concept in its Centenary year."

2004 - NEW LOOK 45
A new year and a new look for the the Rover 45.
Apart from the, now, obligatory split front lights; the most noticeable difference is the rear panel. Click here to read the official MG-Rover release and see the pictures.

GENEVA MOTOR SHOW DEBUT ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF THE 'ROVER V8'.
2nd March.
MG Rover Group today, at the 74th Geneva Motor Show, unveils a new 75-derived top-of-the-range Rover V8 saloon, in the marque's centenary year. The Rover V8 incorporates a bespoke Monogram interior and is distinguished by a new exclusive front-end treatment with large grille, wholly reminiscent of previous V8 engined Rover cars. The Rover V8 marks the return of this illustrious derivative, first introduced as the archetypal Rover P5B.

The V8 derivative provides effortless performance to the Rover range. Available initially as a highly specified flagship derived from the Connoisseur SE specification, the bespoke interior brings new levels of luxury to a car already renowned for its inherent comfort and quality. The lavish trim specification is complemented by a prestigious new development of the latest 2004 Rover 75 exterior style theme, incorporating a new full depth radiator grille and imposing front bumper design.

Kevin Howe, Chief Executive, MG Rover Group, commented: "The return of the illustrious Rover V8 combines perfectly with the distinctive identity of this high-specification flagship and signifies an expanding confidence for the Rover marque, in its centenary year. Like its predecessors, it is a product of distinction and presence, with the new full-depth grille and front-end treatment a characteristic reminder of the refined delivery of power available from the 4.6-litre V8 harnessed under the bonnet."
DISTINCTIVE NEW FLAGSHIP ROVER 75 V8
Rover V8 - Product Overview
The new full-depth open grille is reminiscent of the archetypal Rover P5B. Like the P5 and other V8-powered Rovers since, the imposing and distinctive appearance of V8 derivatives is matched by a motoring experience that has no peers in this segment of the market. The Rover V8 four-door saloon is derived from the company's much-respected large car 75 platform. Driving the rear wheels, the in-line mounted 4.6-litre engine is matched to a smooth automatic transmission to offer refined yet effortless performance, entirely in keeping with the Grand Touring associations of this famous marque.

The vehicle displayed at Geneva incorporates a number of elements from MG Rover Group's extensive customer personalisation Monogram range of paint colours, trims and individual features, and is an ideal way for the discerning customer to individualise this exclusive car still further. Rover's famously comfortable seats have been trimmed in leather, designed to complement Rover's new Light Oak wood theme. Wood and leather are used, with an elegant wood and leather steering wheel and handbrake grip. Underfoot, superior quality carpets have been specified, with additional tailored convenience mats.

A comprehensive range of high technology features is available to complement the opulent interior of this flagship car. These include GPS guided satellite navigation, in-car Teletext TV and multi-disc DVD player with motorised screen, while audiophiles will appreciate the exceptional Harman/Kardon Hi-Fi system. These interior refinements are complemented by prestigious large diameter alloy wheels and discrete exterior badging.

Under the bonnet, the flagship V8 power unit develops 260Ps and 410Nm of torque that is fed to the road through the rear-wheels. Cruise Control is standard equipment. MG Rover Group's unique traction control system ensures that this considerable torque is deployed to good effect, whatever the conditions, whilst delivering rapid acceleration up to a top speed in excess of 150mph.
Derived from the power train installation first used in the MG ZT 260 V8, the proven Ford sourced engine is now mated seamlessly to a smooth automatic transmission. A new electronic engine management tune and unique exhaust and intake systems provide an impressive combination of refined cruising and an assertive, sonorous soundtrack under hard acceleration.

The V8 chassis is derived from the acclaimed rear drive MG ZT platform, launched last year. However, substantial revisions to chassis tuning have delivered a more compliant ride without sacrificing the confidence and stability inherent in the basic platform. In keeping with the immense reserves of V8 torque, the chassis has been tuned to deliver a rewarding yet relaxing driving experience. A new traction control system provides fast engine intervention to wheel slip. This has been developed in a partnership between MG Rover Group, British electronics experts Racelogic and American engine specialists Roush Industries.

Rob Oldaker, MG Rover Group's Product Development Director, says: "This new derivative is an impressive addition to a distinguished Rover product range. The car's performance and poise will shorten any long-distance journey, though on arrival occupants will be reluctant to leave the luxury of this sumptuous interior!"

Performance and pricing
The Rover V8 has a maximum speed in excess of 150mph/240km/h, with acceleration to 60mph comfortably below 7 seconds. Precise market specification and pricing will be announced in due course. UK sales are expected to commence in May, followed across Europe mid-year.
The Rover V8 has been represented in products between 1967-1986 and is a hallmark of British cars with 'power in reserve'. Her Majesty The Queen owns two Rover V8s. In their day Rover V8s were specified by Prime Ministers Harold Wilson, James Callaghan and Margaret Thatcher. Previous V8-engined Rovers include the P5B 3.5-litre, P6B 3500, SD1 3500, V8S, 3500 Vanden Plas, Vanden Plas EFi and the 3.5-litre Vitesse.

Phoenix Venture Holdings Signs Letter of Intent with Proton.
Feb 18th.
Phoenix Venture Holdings ("PVH") announces today that it has signed a letter of intent with Proton in relation to PVH and its subsidiaries, including MG Rover Group, working with Proton to explore the feasibility of a number of potential collaborative projects.
In accordance with regulatory requirements Proton has issued the attached announcement to their local Stock Exchange.
PVH and Proton will now engage in further discussions and as and when any definitive agreement is reached a further announcement will be made.

LETTER OF INTENT BETWEEN PROTON AND PHOENIX VENTURE HOLDINGS LIMITED
Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Berhad (PROTON) entered into a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Phoenix Venture Holdings Limited (PVH) on 18 February 2004.
PVH is a company registered in Birmingham, England. Through its subsidiaries, including MG Rover Group Limited, it is primarily involved in the business of engineering, research and development, manufacturing and selling of motor vehicles and related products, including accessories, engine, spare parts and other components.
The LOI envisages PROTON and PVH working together to pursue exploratory/feasibility studies concerning potential collaborations.

BBC'S CHILDREN IN NEED WINNER COLLECTS HER STREETWISE CAR.
Feb 9th.
Prize winner Mrs Anne Walker of Sudbury collects the keys to her gleaming new Rover Streetwise S valued at £12,000 and won in a competition to raise money for BBC's Children In Need.
Readers of the Daily Mail entered the competition to win the Rover Streetwise S by calling a dedicated line leaving their name and telephone number; each call raised over 9p towards the charity. A winner was randomly selected on three consecutive days.
Mrs Walker said: "I'm delighted to have won the Streetwise car, while also helping to raise money for such a worthwhile cause and can't wait to drive it. It's come at a great time, my nephew has just passed his driving test so now I can give him my old car!" .