Rover 45 1.8 RANGE
The 1.8-Litre Petrol Engine Could Be The Most Appropriate Accompaniment To Rovers 45 Family Car. Steve Walker Reports
Rather like a good sports jacket or a well-maintained moustache, the
Rover 45 is never likely to go out of fashion. Some would point out that it has never been in fashion and there is that dimension to consider but more important is the cars enduring classic appeal. Rather than pandering to the latest automotive fads and whims, the 45 has managed to maintain a dignified distance, ploughing its own very British furrow. These stiff upper lip tactics have been key to the cars longevity (they and
MG Rovers inability to fashion a replacement) and theyre the reason why the 45 still attracts willing owners today.
Here we examine the 1.8-litre models, cars strong on value and old school charm.
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The 1.8-litre engine is the 45s biggest petrol unit. Its the most powerful option in the engine range, its the fastest in terms of top speed and its the fastest accelerating if you go by the timed 0-60mph sprint. The 2.
0-litre turbo diesel option runs the 1.8 close on all of these criteria and has a more muscular mid-range but the smoothness of the free-revving petrol engine seems to gel best with the 45s relaxed character. In the grand scheme of things and considering were looking at the 45s brawniest engine, 9.3 seconds is not a particularly impressive time for the standstill to 60mph sprint.
The 121mph top speed, however, is a good 51mph more than most
Rover 45 drivers ever need, given the cars comparative scarcity at track days and illegal road races. The engine produces 116bhp along with 160Nm of torque at 2,750rpm and it provides a pleasant driving experience. Nothing too dramatic or exciting but enough to shuttle purposefully up a motorway on ramp or make short work of a dawdling tractor on that Sunday afternoon drive. The engines lack of genuine pace has its upside.
Average fuel consumption of 39mpg isnt half bad for a 1.8-litre family-sized car and it looks even better when you learn that both the lesser 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre Rover 45 petrol engines only manage 40mpg.
The 1.8s fuel economy holds up well in comparison to mainstream rivals and so do the CO2 emissions of 174g/km but if you specify the optional stepspeed CVT gearbox, economy falls to 33mpg and the exhaust ups its output to 203g/km. The standard transmission for the 45 is a traditional stick shift. It couldnt be described as smooth or tactile but it does the job.
The 1.8-litre is the only 45 engine available with Stepspeed transmission and the system isnt one of the best on the market. Having said that, if you can stomach the fuel economy penalty, theres something about this languid gearbox that suits the sedate 45. If you prefer to deploy the minimum effort when at the wheel, you might like it.
"the smoothness of the free-revving petrol engine seems to gel best with the 45s relaxed character."
Representing the pinnacle of the petrol Rover 45 line-up, the 1.8-litre engine is available only in Club SE and Connoisseur trim. These top two trim levels being incrementally superior to the basic Classic offering and the standard Club. The prices for the 5-door models start at £14,195 for the Club SE and rise to £15,195 for the Connoisseur.
With the saloons, buyers are asked to part with £800 more and do without that extra door. Next to similarly-sized 1.8-litre competitors, the 45 seems to offer a lot for the money. The current 45 styling is a little more modern than you may have anticipated.
A facelift in the spring of 2004 saw a tidier grille installed complete with a redesigned Rover badge. The headlamps feature a trendy bulge on their lower edge much like those found on various
BMW models and the rear has also been significantly reworked. If the intention was to modernise the 45, the designers have done their job but there is the suspicion that in doing so they may have diluted the cars classic appeal. The front end looks fine but round the back, traditionalist Rover buyers may baulk at the uninterrupted expanse of metal that forms the boot or tailgate.
Its just not cricket and the large triple-spaced Rover lettering spread below an even larger 45 will be a bit gaudy for some tastes. Inside, todays 45 is a considerably more attractive prospect. The chunky round vents with their notchy bevels are a nice touch and the centre console controls are clearly laid out. Buyers can still have the obligatory traces of wood positioned around the place if they so desire and, overall, the cabin is a well-worked compromise between progress and established Rover themes.
Other manufacturers do more in terms of build quality, space and practicality but the cabin of a 45 is a far from unpleasant place to be for driver and passengers. Standard equipment on the Club SE (the entry-level for 1.8-litre buyers) is generous. Body coloured mirrors, front fog lamps and 15" alloy wheels raise the tone outside and inside there are leather coverings for the steering wheel and the gear knob. A centre armrest and headrests are provided for the rear passengers, the front seats are heated plus theres climate-controlled air-conditioning and a decent CD stereo too. With Connoisseur trim a number of choice features are added. Theres a CD autochanger and full leather upholstery inside while externally, the alloy wheels grow to 16" diameter and the wing mirrors are capped with chrome. Safety provision is comprehensive as all the models feature driver, passenger and side airbags. There are pretensioners for the front seatbelts and ABS brakes with brakeforce distribution. It would be useless trying to pretend that the Rover 45 is anything approaching technologically advanced.
It is, however, a tried and tested package honed over the years but devoid of the gimmicky design features and electronic gadgetry that are commonplace in its rivals. Its a simple vehicle by todays standards but one with some style and a certain charm thats not easy to design into a new car. Its these characteristics that 45 buyers like.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Rover 45 range
PRICES: £14,195-£14,995 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 12
CO2 EMISSIONS: 174g/km
PERFORMANCE: [1.8] 0-60mph 9.3s / Max Speed 121mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.8] (urban) 29.2mpg/ (extra urban) 48.3mpg / (combined) 38.9mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS.
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: [4dr] length/width/height 4517/1910/1395mm
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