Rover 45 SALOON RANGE
If Youre After An Affordable Yet Classy Compact Saloon, Rovers Four-Door 45 Has Much To Offer. Jonathan Crouch Checks It Out
Rover has never really had a compact executive saloon to do battle against market leaders like BMWs 3 Series or Audis A4. Arguably, it still hasnt: the 75 is too big, the 45 a little too small or so you might think at first glance.
Drive both of these two Rover models however, and you might begin to change your view. Take the 75: it may be more 5 than 3 Series in size but its definitely priced at the more affordable end of the spectrum. A six cylinder 75 costs the same as a smaller four cylinder 3 Series. The 45 also has a surprise or two up its sleeve for those prepared to buck executive convention and try one. Its a major revamp, of course, of the evergreen 400 series line-up but in the translation to 45 status, the saloon range featured here has been moved up-market from its five-door stablemate.
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A thorough round of revisions has smartened-up the look of the car too, although the status quo has been largely maintained beneath the skin.
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Rover claims the entire 45 range should provide a sharper drive..."
Four-door customers, Rover thinks, wont want the entry-level 103PS 1.4-litre powerplant thats offered on the hatchback version. Trim levels are identified by suitably upper-crust titles Club, GSi, Club SE and Connoisseur . Prices start at £13,495 for the Club models, which come with a choice of three engines: 109PS 1.6 and 117PS 1.8-litre petrol units, plus a turbo diesel thats offered with 101Ps or 113Ps power. Equipment includes twin front and side airbags, an alarm/immobiliser, a pollen filter, power steering, a CD stereo with steering wheel controls, ABS, air conditioning, front foglamps, electric mirrors, power front windows, headlamp washers and heated front seats.
Quite a tally, but one thats bettered by the GSi which features leather trim, climate control and chrome door mirrors. Top of the range Connoisseur variants meanwhile, come with leather trim, chrome door mirrors, a CD autochanger and electric rear windows. As well as these features, all 45 saloons come equipped with the most recent set of styling alterations which do a job of modernising the 45s façade. Theres deeper front grille and twin lens headlamps looking distinctly
BMW in their styling influences. Integrated indicators and a new front bumper design give 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. All the K Series petrol engines used are proven units and the 2.0-litre L Series turbo diesel that many 45 buyers are expected to choose has been almost completely revised in recent years.
It features a high pressure injection system that does little for the 113PS power output but much for the crucial torque curve, giving extraordinary pulling power through the gears. Even in high gears at low speeds, acceleration is instant, a match in fact even for the 2.5-litre V6 used in the 75. A diesel, in other words, to convince even die-hard petrol buyers or at least that's the idea. Petrol models with the 1.8 four cylinder engine get the option of the Continuously Variable (CVT) 'Stepspeed' automatic transmission system pioneered on the MGF. The standard Rover 45 saloon models of course are aimed at less aggressively-orientated buyers. For them, the emphasis will need to be on quality and image, features not always readily on offer in this area of the market. The interior was always the part which dated the 45 most appreciably and it too has come in for a rethink.
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. Theres burr walnut for Rover traditionalists and for something a little more avant-garde there are light and dark oak finishes. A number of convenience features have also found their way into the 45.
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) is a very functional climate controlled air conditioning system that includes an outside temperature gauge and solar sensor compensation. Its possible to set the desired temperature in either Fahrenheit or Celsius and is fitted to GSi Club SE and Connoisseur trims. Theres a remote activated boot release system thats operable via the key fob, revised interior switchgear and a cleverer windscreen wash/wipe system with a Dribble Wipe function that clears the windscreen four seconds after the initial wash/wipe, thus catching that annoying dribble from the top of the screen. 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 all saloon modes feature the TrafficMaster traffic alert system to help you avoid congestion. Ultrasonic rear parking sensors also make the team sheet.
From a practical perspective in the saloon you should find that two large adults will be happy in the rear (three would be pushing it but then, that would also be the case in a 3 Series or an A4). Behind them, that prominent boot is large (17.0cuft) and versatile, opening down to bumper level and accessible through split-folding rear seats. Larger cars like
Ford's Mondeo have no more luggage space to offer. A classier package than you might be expecting then, which deserves a second chance from buyers who may have deserted the 45's predecessor. No, its not a BMW 3 Series but then model for model, its £5,000 or so cheaper. The 45 saloon may not be at the cutting edge of technology but it's the kind of compact saloon you'd be proud to have on your driveway. And at the end of the day, if you're spending your own money, that must count for a lot.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Rover 45 Saloon range
PRICES: £13,495-£16,195 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 10-12
CO2 EMISSIONS: 150-234g/km
PERFORMANCE: [1.8] Max Speed 121mph / 0-60mph 9.3s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.8] (urban) 26.6mpg / (constant 56mph) 52.0mpg / (constant 75mph) 41.8mpg
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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