A Jewel in the Crown (Rover 25 in general)

Member Name: aflynn

Product:	Rover 25 in general
Date:	28/04/01 (385 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: lovely to look at - beautiful to drive

Disadvantages: I haven't found any!!

The Rover 25 was launched in spring 1995. It was the first car solely designed and built by Rover Group. This car was very exciting because it only had 25% carry over parts from the old Rover 200, so in theory was a brand new concept car. The cost of design through to production of the car was some £500 million.

A wonderful car to drive, it fitted in with Rover’s new image of an exciting, forward thinking British company.

In 1997 Rover Group decided it was time to give the Rover 25 a facelift. Codenamed Jewel, the design alterations were to be done in conjunction with a design house. The facelift was also done to incorporate new safety features that are required as part of the European New Car Programme. (NCAP).

With BMW now owning the company, Rover decided to include twin headlamps as part of the new design in keeping with the BMW image. New bumpers with integral indictor lights and a new tailgate handle were also part of the facelift. To t6he customer these were the only real changes that could be seen, a few trim changes happened but nothing discernable.

The main changes that happened were to the body. The doors were strengthened to withstand front impact, and improvements were made to the side door beams. The front end was virtually redesigned to take a new 2.0L engine. The dash was also strengthened for NCAP requirements. Improvements were made to the floor so that Rover 75 doors could be fitted to the Rover 25. (They were better seats) and changes were made to improve the 3-point belt harness in the middle rear seat. Load limiters were fitted to seat belt where an airbag was present to reduce the risk of seat belt damage during a crash.

I really love the Rover 25; I find it superb at handling and a real joy to drive. I love the sleek lines and the range of colours available is amazing – my favourite being Alumina Green – a pale metallic green.

The Rover 200 is available with
a range of engine sizes – 1.4 16-valve K series engine up to the sporty 1.8 VVC engine. There is also a 2-litre diesel engine available with a decent 55 miles to the gallon.

It is quite spacious inside – surprisingly so really. Boot space is also very good (enough for my little man’s pram and shopping anyway!!)

All in all a very good car and with a starting price of around £7995, you are getting a lot of car for your money.

Go on test drive one – you never know you might love it!!!!

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