Rover has freshened its 200 and 400 models, renaming them 25 and 45, respectively. Both cars borrow the quadruple headlamp styling of the larger Rover 75 introduced earlier this year.
The three- and five-door 25 are regarded as premium superminis in Europe in the sector alongside the VW Polo and Ford Fiesta (which has also been updated). Complementing exterior changes, the 25 also has an improved interior compared to the 200, with seven levels of trim, three with a "sports" theme. Changes to the powertrain allow the engines to meet the EU3 emissions standards due in 2001. The 200 uses a 1.4-L eight-valve engine, the 25 has a more powerful 16-valve unit. There is also a 75-kW (101-hp) engine. A turbodiesel engine is available, as is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for larger engined (1.6- and 1.8-L) versions of the 25, which uses a new high-pressure system similar to that fitted to the MGF sports car. It provides for normal and sports modes and a "manual" with six-speed sequential selection.
The 25 has also been subjected to chassis development. BMW Group management gave strong support to Rover's engineering team to pursue a "sporting supermini" strategy, according to the company. The car's suspension is firmer. Rear roll stiffness is enhanced by increasing the gauge of the rear suspension's H-frame crossmember. Brakes and steering have also been improved.
The 45 range, available in four- and five-door form, includes the well-regarded 2.0-L KV6 engine combined with a special version of the Jatco five-speed automatic gearbox with sequential manual-shift mode. Like the 25, the 45 gets chassis changes to tighten its responses without compromising ride quality.
Stuart Birch
