Rover 45 1.4 GLi
Rovers 45 1.4 GLi Might Not Be A Cutting Edge Family Five-Door But Nothing Else Offers So Much For So Little, Thinks Jonathan Crouch
Around £11,000 doesnt buy you much these days when it comes to the business of running a family five-door. But you can dream. "What colour would sir or madam prefer for their full leather interior? And dont forget youve to choose the colour for the complementing wood interior trim"
You can dream about this or you can buy a
Rover 45 1.4 GLi, a car which aims to bring back old school interior elegance at a price (£10,995) you and I can just about afford. Yes, the design is an old one. No, its not at the cutting edge of handling technology.
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And no, you wont see Jeremy and his friends raving about it on Top Gear. Still, if you dont care about all of that, then helping the British motor industry out by purchasing a 45 might well be an unexpected pleasure. The GLi package were looking at here has been introduced to accelerate sales of this car that had fallen to a trickle. And this despite a far-reaching facelift in 2004 which ought to have refreshed its appeal considerably.
Buyers get the aforementioned full leather interior (choose from Light Smokestone or Black hues). Then theyve to decide on the complementing wood finishing touches. Theres a choice of Black Oak, Light Oak or more traditional Burr Walnut. No good having all that of course if you dont also have the basics like electric front windows, an electric sunroof, twin front and side airbags, ABS, drivers
seat height and lumber adjustment and a CD stereo with remote audio controls: so these are all included. Unfortunately, air conditioning is missing but you cant have everything. Or at least you cant for £10,995. Throw another £1,150 at your
Rover dealer and air conditioning is included on the £12,145 1.
4-litre GSi model equipped with the same engine and the same five-door bodystyle. For that, you also get alloy wheels, electric rear windows, chromed powered door mirrors, a pollen filter and locking wheel nuts.
"Helping the British motor industry out by purchasing a 45 might well be an unexpected pleasure"
The GSi trim level also gives buyers the chance to opt for 109PS 1.6-litre petrol power (for £12,845) or a 101PS 2.0-litre turbo diesel variant (£13,145). Both of these can be ordered in four-door saloon guise for an £800 increment.
If you havent checked out a Rover 45 for some time, then you probably wont be aware of the styling enhancements introduced in 2004 that we mentioned earlier. These were surprisingly effective, given that the cars fundamental design is, to put it politely, rather old. In fact, the deeper front grille and twin lens headlamps look distinctly
BMW in their styling influences (funny that). Integrated indicators and a fresh front bumper design have given the 45 a more dynamic look.
The rear end is, if anything, even more radical with an angular rear bumper entailing a repositioned number plate and a big, bold boot/tailback treatment. A rear lip spoiler and classy chromed Rover lettering across the cars posterior are also featured. Other exterior changes include side sill extensions and body coloured side rubbing strips. The remote locking now features a rolling code system that means that thieves will never be able to capture and subsequently use your transmitters frequency.
Rover have also fitted a master locking switch in the 45s fascia that instantly locks all doors and doubles as a panic function. Hold the switch for over two seconds and the doors lock and the alarm siren and hazard lights are activated. Anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution are now fitted to every 45 and most models feature the TrafficMaster traffic alert system to help you avoid congestion. Ultrasonic rear parking sensors are also available.
The interior was always the part which dated the 45 most appreciably and it too has come in for a rethink in recent times. Its nothing too radical and if you get in anticipating the cabin to be as funky as a
Honda Civic or
Vauxhall Astra, you may need your expectations managed. The fascia has been updated with four circular air vents finished in chrome and contrasting wood fillets inserted into the dashboard. On the road, you wont be expecting a cutting edge driving experience and you wont get one.
Still, the package in the 1.4-litre petrol GLi model were looking at here is probably quite good enough for this cars likely (older) target market. Sixty is 11.2 seconds away from rest on the way to a maximum speed of 115mph.
At the pumps, you should average around 40mpg. If you want to improve on that, an LPG conversion is available and of course, if you upgrade to GSi spec, theres the more expensive option of a diesel engine. For some time, weve been calling on Rover to do what it does best. Offer value for money.
This particular 45 model does just that. Criticise it if you will but nothing else offers so much for so little.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Rover 45 1.4 GLi
PRICE: £10,995 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 8
CO2 EMISSIONS: 150g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 11.2s / Max Speed 115mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 40.0mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags / ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/height 4517/1910/1395mm
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