CITYRover SPRITE
The CityRover Has Its Work Cut Out Convincing A Sceptical British Public. Andy Enright Bags A Sprite To Go To See If It Offers Adequate Refreshment
Although many were at first sceptical regarding
MG Rover's attempt to curry favour with citycar buyers by offering a reheated version of an Indian
TATA tot, the reality has proved to be surprisingly adept. The Sprite model, as tested here, offers a little more in the way of visual spice but still retains a sensible price. The low key launch of the car may have left many customers wondering what offers are on the table but once you get your head around the concept of this subcontinental surprise, the CityRover Sprite might just appeal.
At £7,895 the Sprite locks horns with some redoubtable rivals. Theres not only the surprisingly good
Daihatsu Charade but also the heavyweight contender that is the 2004 Car of The Year, the
Fiat Panda. Suddenly you see that this car has its work cut out and would be helped by prices around £900 lower. The CityRover Sprite is priced similarly to the Select version but trades the Selects electric windows and air conditioning for alloy wheels, a leather-trimmed sports steering wheel and gearknob, front fog lamps and a rear spoiler which together give it a pleasantly dynamic look and feel.
| Build |
 |
| Comfort |
 |
| Depreciation |
|
| Economy |
 |
| Equipment |
 |
| Handling |
 |
| Insurance |
 |
| Performance |
 |
| Styling |
|
| Value |
|
Problem is, many will then also want the electric windows and air conditioning and the options prices for the CityRover look a trifle dear. Power steering and a folding rear
seat will cost £400 which, when viewed as a percentage of the cars total price, is indeed significant. The window winders on the Sprite arent a particularly clever piece of kit either, the operators knuckles scraping the exposed edges of the door pocket during operation. Theres only one engine choice available, a
Peugeot derived 1.
4-litre 84bhp unit, and youll only be offered a five door body shape, though thats in positive contrast to many rivals which charge a £500 premium if you want unfettered access to the rear seats. Access to the car is easy thanks to doors that swing open through a ninety-degree arc and a high seating position. The rear seats are mounted slightly higher than the fronts to give improved passenger visibility and the rear bench splits 60/40. With a carrying capacity of 220 litres with the seats in place and 610 litres with the rear bench folded, the CityRover Sprite is a citycar that can do more than just a light shop.
Its common knowledge that
MG Rover dont have the motoring industrys largest new product development budget and much of their product planning centres around modifying existing products to appeal to new market niches. The CityRover is different. Built by
TATA in India, its a model based on that organisations Indica city car, but has been given a thorough makeover by MG Rover to appeal to European palates.
"The CityRover Sprite is a very easy car to like"
Although chicken tikka masala may well be the new British national dish, the public perception of Indian engineering is often not quite as favourable. The reality may well raise a few eyebrows. The Poona factory in which the CityRover is built features state of the art computer aided manufacturing facilities and can turn out quality products at very competitive rates. Rover know that in terms of style and interior design, the CityRover isnt going to be able to compete with big budget rivals but Rover have helped the Sprite version with some neat seat trims, silver detailing for the centre console and sporty metal pedals.
The market place in which this model competes is a hard-fought battleground with big name manufacturers scrapping over around 1.1 million European sales per year. The prime movers include the
Ford Ka, the
Volkswagen Lupo and the
Fiat Panda, with the SEAT Arosa, the
Vauxhall Agila and the
Daewoo Matiz all sharing the spoils. The CityRover aims to take a sizeable nibble from the bounty by adopting the same technique as
Citroen and Peugeot.
MG Rover hope for a three per cent market share and it looks entirely feasible. Patriotism isnt the only thing that will sell this car. MG Rover have done a great deal of research into the market in question and realise that many of the main drivers are female, that half of all citycars are purchased as second cars and that brand loyalty doesnt count for too much. Therefore weighing in with a car that justifies itself on the balance sheet as well as offering class-leading space looks to be a very good idea.
With a wheelbase of some 2,400mm (only 140mm less than a
Land Rover Discovery), the CityRover offers plenty of space in its tall cabin. The steering wheel is non adjustable and the seat height is fixed but its not difficult to get comfortable unless you are at the extremes of the ergonomic scale. Rear legroom is surprisingly generous and even six-footers wont want for headroom. The slightly discordant engine is reasonably punchy and all models are fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox.
Rover have tuned the chassis for European tastes with all independent coil-spring suspension, revised damper and spring settings and a lowered ride height. Without a passenger airbag, anti lock brakes, electric windows, air conditioning and electric mirrors, it has to be said that at £7,895, the CityRover Sprite is a midge overpriced. Marry that to a poorly finished interior and a rather coarse engine and there will be many who will opt for a Fiat Panda or a
Daihatsu Charade instead. Good luck to em.
Neither of these cars offers as much fun behind the wheel as the CityRover and it has to be said that the Sprite version is a good deal better looking than either of them, offers a decent amount of space and is agreeably quick off the mark. Despite its shortcomings its an easy car to like and one that rivals the Ford Ka as the drivers choice in the citycar sector.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: MG Rover CityRover Sprite
PRICE: £7,895 on the road
CO2 EMISSIONS: 167g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 11.5s / 0-60mph 110mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 38mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver's Airbag
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 3702/1620/1467
<< Back to Rover car reviews
<< Back to car reviews homepage
Find New & Used Cars in the UK |
New & Used Rover Cars For Sale UK
