Rover 75 TOURER
Vanessa Hinkley Gets Behind The Wheel Of Rovers 75 Tourer An Estate With A Difference
The 75 Tourer looks good: I have to admit that, much as it galls me to conform to the stereotype. There is something quintessentially British about it, maybe the stately elegance or the sweeping lines. Whatever it is, it brought on delusions of grandeur; I felt like putting on a hat and attending the races at Ascot. (Ask anyone who knows me and theyll tell you a night at the dogs is more my style).
Ten years ago, the needs of female customers wouldnt even have been considered for an executive estate like Rovers 75 Tourer. It isnt like that any more. With more and more top women executives, the designers couldnt ignore women. In any case, even those 75s that are bought by men will more often than not, end up being shared by their wives or partners - which is one of the reasons why Ive ended up writing this piece.
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Already, weve heard all the specialist mags go on and on about the way the car handles and performs but whats it really like as a day to day tool? Well, the first thing to say is that its a car you feel good about owning created, according to its makers, to give buyers that special sense of occasion every time they use it. and I have say that it does.
Like the four-door version, the 75 Tourer looks a class bigger than it really is which gives the car some driveway stature over rivals like BMWs 3 Series Touring, the Mercedes C-class estate and Alfa Romeos 156 Sportwagon. It should even swallow a little more luggage, thanks to boxy dimensions that disguise a slightly smaller 1222-litre capacity with the seats folded down. Dont go expecting to transport a grandfather clock mind you: theres only 45mm of extra rear overhang which means that the loadbay is restricted to 2060mm in length. Those who really need the space will prefer a big
Volvo estate which is probably why self-levelling suspension costs extra. The tailgate houses a separately-opening rear window, so that you can get at small items say a single shopping bag without actually having to lift the whole of the rear hatch. The tailgate also houses the emergency triangle so that you can get at it easily should you break down fully loaded (why has no one else thought of that?).
Another nice touch should disaster strike is the illumination of a spare wheel compartment, the cover for which rises up and supports itself on a gas strut.
I found this to be an easy car to drive and to place in the tightest of parking spaces. The turning circle is surprisingly small for what feels like a huge estate car, but thats more down to the clever interior designers than anything else. Theres an impressive range of engines on offer too four in all, covering virtually everything the executive buyer could wish for. Entry-level models are powered by Rovers familiar 1.
8-litre K-Series engine, already used in the 25, the 45, the MGF and even the
Land Rover Freelander. In this guise, its noticeably more refined and the 75 range also includes a 150bhp turbo version. If you like diesel engines, then the bought-in state-of-the-art
BMW 2.0-litre Common Rail unit will appeal.
Developing 116bhp, the marketeers hope that the 2.0 CDT models will convert diesel doubters, combining as they do sparkling performance with an easily achieve low fuel consumption figure. On the road, that emphasis on luxury continues. The
Rover sails over surfaces that would, quite frankly, be unpleasant in equivalent BMWs and Audis.
Its quieter too in every area save that of wind noise. True, a 3 Series or an Alfa 156 is more fun to drive on a twisting country road, but a well-driven 75 wouldnt be that far behind: In every other circumstance, its the car youd rather be in, capable yet undemanding. As far as gripes go I have only three, which is quite an achievement - I know what I like and very few cars get full marks. I found the rear visibility a little lacking and my sister-in-laws baby nearly caught its head as she lifted it out of the car wider doors would be welcomed on future models I feel And, talking of doors, they need quite a slam to get them shut properly, which isnt ideal if you happen to have your hands full at the time.
So how much does all of this cost? Well the short answer is £1,000 on top of the cost of a standard 75 saloon. Which means, given that most of the saloons engines and trim levels are covered, a price span between £17,395 for the base 1.8-litre Classic to £25,295 for the leather-lined 2.5-litre V6 Contemporary SE.
Although there is also a 4.2 V8 model. Its generally better equipped too, though, as ever, standard equipment levels really depend upon the size of your chequebook and your choice between three main trim levels Classic, Connoisseur and Contemporary. To further complicate matters, you can have either standard or SE versions of each trim level and different engines can be ordered at different levels.
Either way, however, expect to find ABS, powered windows and mirrors, a six-speaker stereo, a leather gearknob and an alarm fitted across the range.
Definitely. For a stylish luggage carrier, you really cant beat it. Just so long as my husband doesnt get his hands on it, everything will be rosy
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