Shock New Rover 45 Beems In

It's gone under the knife again! Rover's mid-range car has been facelifted more times than a Hollywood starlet - and this time it looks unnervingly like a BMW 3-Series. Company chiefs hope the revamped 45 will give sliding sales a much needed boost.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Hilton Holloway

07th April 2004

Bosses are playing their cards close to their chests about the car, but Auto Express can reveal that there has been extensive work in the cabin, which features a much needed new dashboard.

The MG ZS version is only a few weeks away, too, and should be un-veiled - along with other MG Rover surprises - at the British Motor Show in Birmingham next month. With the NEC just down the road from the company's Longbridge factory, the event is described as "of key importance", and the 45 will go into showrooms as soon as the covers come off.

The 45 has been revamped by Peter Stevens' design team, with new bumpers, fresh pod-style headlamps and the restyled grille and badge from the CityRover. There's also a range of more attractive alloy wheels.

At first glance, the new headlight design certainly looks like it owes something to the 3-Series, while the modern, edgy lines of the remodelled bumpers are in stark contrast to the ageing side profile. Both hatchback and saloon versions get a subtle lip spoiler on the tailgate. Much of the chrome trimming on the bumpers and sides of the current car has also been removed.

"We've tried to give the car a fresh new face and a more integrated look," said a Rover spokesman. "At the back, the number plate has been moved down into the bumper to give a much cleaner appearance." The Rover name script is now spaced out between the rear lights - another CityRover feature.

Inside, the old Honda-designed dash has been binned for a sportier look. Insiders say the 45's cabin will resemble that of the Streetwise. "The interior is now much more contemporary," the spokesman added. "There's also a new centre console design, the option of climate control, new seat fabrics, a master door locking switch, drive-away door locking and built-in Trafficmaster."

No major changes have been made to the chassis settings or engine range, which uses the same K Series petrol and L Series diesel units.

MG Rover badly needs the new 45 to succeed. Last year saw production plummet from over 26,400 vehicles in 2002 to 15,800. But it's still not a bad effort for a car that's been in showrooms for 11 years, and is now on its ninth life. It started out as the Honda Domani (1993) in Japan, became the Rover 400 and Honda Civic hatchbacks (1995), and then the Rover 400 saloon and 425 concept (1996). Next it was the Honda Civic Aerodeck (1998), the Rover 45 (1999), and it even became an MG ZS (2000). The facelifted car seen above - and set for showrooms next month - makes nine.