The Rover 45 was the Rover 400 given a facelift in 1999. It was repositioned to compete with the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra rather than larger cars, gained the seating and the 2.0-litre V6 of the Rover 75, and from 2001 was sold alongside a re-engineered MG ZS.
Rover 45 at a glance
| Production | 1999–2005 |
|---|---|
| Based on | the Rover 400, facelifted in 1999 |
| Market position | priced against the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra |
| Petrol engines | 1.4- and 1.6-litre K-series, 1.8-litre K-series added |
| V6 | 2.0-litre V6 from the Rover 75, saloon versions only |
| Diesel | 2.0-litre L-series turbodiesel carried over from the 400 |
| Transmission | continuously variable transmission available |
| Chassis changes | better controlled ride and quicker steering than the 400 |
| MG version | MG ZS from 2001 |
Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Rover 400 and 45, which covers the 45 in a single section.
History of the Rover 45
From 400 to 45
The Rover 400 was given a facelift in 1999 and became the Rover 45. It was repositioned and priced to compete with the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra, rather than larger cars such as the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Vectra that the second-generation 400 had been aimed at. From 2001 a re-engineered hot hatch version of the 45 was launched and sold as the MG ZS.
Engines and chassis
The 1.4- and 1.6-litre K-series petrol engines and the 2.0-litre L-series diesel were carried over from the 400, and Rover added a 1.8-litre K-series and the 2.0-litre V6 from the larger Rover 75, which replaced the 2.0 T-series four-cylinder petrol unit but was available only on saloon versions. The 45 came with the better seating of the 75. Where the 400 had handled very well, the suspension was tuned for a much better controlled ride and quicker steering, and a continuously variable transmission was available.
Design and features
- Facelifted body: the 1999 update of the Rover 400 range.
- V6 option: the 2.0-litre V6 from the Rover 75, offered on saloons only.
- Ride and steering: retuned suspension with quicker steering than the 400.
- MG ZS: a re-engineered sporting version from 2001.
Rover 45 versions
- Rover 45 hatchback and saloon: the standard range with K-series and L-series engines.
- Rover 45 V6: the saloon with the 2.0-litre V6 from the 75.
- MG ZS (2001–2005): the sporting version with re-engineered chassis.
The 45 replaced the Rover 400 and shared its V6 and seating with the Rover 75. More cars are in the Rover collection.
Video: Rover 45 Review (2000)
Video by Men and Motors on YouTube.
Sources
- Rover 400 / 45, English Wikipedia: the 1999 facelift, engines, chassis and the MG ZS
