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Paul Talbot marvels at the size of the
Rover 75 Tourer - a very BIG car.
An estate car, whatever its name – tourer, sportback, load lugger – is simply that. It's a means of getting loads of gear from A to B relatively easily. But, for the cars now on the market with these various tags, it's also a matter of style. The car has become a lifestyle statement and this car, the Rover 75 Tourer in Conoisseur SE trim, is a serious contender.
We had the car for a week and when it arrived, we were surprised at just how big it was. We also noticed how the recent facelift has given the car a much more aggressive nose, together with some cosmetic treatment including new headlamps and driving lamps slotted in beneath the light cluster and, at the rear, spacing out the Rover name across the tailgate.
Exterior
This really is a big car at 4.792 m in length, width 2.009m and 1.393m in height. It's the sort of car you might use to shift a wardrobe over a weekend or fill with your company's equipment to take from location to location. Either way, it's a capable performer and attractive, too, finished in special monogram aubergine kinetic, a metallic burgundy. The front of the car has been revised to mimic the BMW-style light cluster and beneath this, fog lights and driving lamps are fitted. Running down the side of the car at waist level is a chrome strip, and chrome also features on the backs of the door mirrors and handles. Towards the rear of the car are two Union Jacks – such is the company's patriotism.
At the rear the tailgate cuts into the bumper to provide a really low loading point; figures supplied indicate that the floor is 544mm from road level, the boot width is 1.480m (taking into account the wheel arches) and actual floor area is 1.05m from the back of the rear seat. Under-floor storage is also available. Beneath, the bumper is punctuated with parking sensors. Attractive 16” fork-style alloys complete the picture of a reasonably attractive car, if a little dated.
Interior
Accessing this car from a wheelchair, scooter or some other kind of support couldn't be easier. The doors open widely and the seating is low and comfortable. Rovers have always had some wood and leather about them and this is no exception.
Our car had a mixture of leather and wood on the steering wheel which, frankly, we didn't like; we'd hoped that MG Rover would use one or other but not both. The dials in the fascia are “olde-worlde” which fit in with the character of Rover's past and are incredibly legible, very different from the modern, backlit dials we've found in some other cars.
The cream leather upholstered seats were electrically operated in this model and had a memory facility that we liked very much, together with heating elements, height adjustment and other regular features. It's a shame that the heating facility in the seats was either on or off, with nothing in between.
From the chosen driving position, it's also impossible to see all of the clock as it's sunk into the wood fascias between the air vents. However, the vents do circulate the air remarkably well
and cleared misted screens very quickly.
A very sensibly placed CD multi-changer with an array of good-sounding speakers was easy to operate, too. Located in the glove compartment it meant easy operation in conjunction with steering wheel controls. A useful storage point is located above the glove compartment, but the projecting fascia housing the audio unit left us feeling that it was slightly cramped in this area. We'd also have liked some small storage points for oddments between the front seats but none have been included.
However, the Conoisseur SE features a novelty in its audio entertainment – a television. I was able to watch it whilst the car was stationary (of course – a safety facility only allows this). A remarkably good quality picture could be found on all five channels of terrestrial TV, which impressed. Our usual three rear seat passenger guinea pigs had no complaints as regards leg room or personal space and comments were received about how the car seems a pleasant place to be, television on or not!
On the road
The 2.497cc V6 cylinder 24-valve engine has a lovely creamy note to it when pressed and around town is barely audible.
However, it's a lazy engine and takes 9.5 seconds from 0-60.
It feels a heavy solid car, too, which gives a feeling of security when on the road. Our usual test route suggested that the car is relaxing to drive with plenty of feedback through the steering
and a reasonable amount of poise when cornering.
We got used to the rather spongy brakes after a few hours, finding that the brake pedal needed a good shove, but once used to how they worked we found that they stopped the car reasonably well during the wet conditions we endured.
The gearbox showed no sign of hunting for a suitable ratio as some autos do and on the motorway helped the V6 sing its heart out which is a joy to hear. We'd have liked a manual shift
facility as there was in a previous Rover 45 we tested but had to settle with leaving the car in auto mode. Parking the car, especially with the sensors, was an absolute doddle, squeezing
it into the smallest space we could find. The electrically operated door mirrors helped the process and we were pleasantly surprised with how easy it was.
Despite the car being a 2.5 V6, we were able to measure the car's fuel economy by the on-board data supplied at the touch of a button on to the television screen. We posted an acceptable
average of between 25 and 28mpg during our time with the car and towards 150 miles, which may in part be down to the extensive use of the cruise control!
Technical Information
Max power output: 130 bhp at 6500 rpm
Max torque: 240 at 4000 rpm
Max speed: 128 mph
0-60 time: 9.5 seconds
Fuel consumption Urban: 17.9
Extra Urban: 37.2
Combined: 26.6 mpg
Verdict
Whilst the Rover 75 may be a little long in the tooth, having been around since 1999, it can still cut the mustard as a load lugger. It may have its design faults but the driving experience is one of quality and unashamed luxury. If you want to drive something different and, more importantly, British, this is the car for you. The good load area would help many disabled people carry their mobility equipment and the car's cousin, the MGZT, is available on the Motability Scheme for an advance payment of £1,949. An absolute bargain, whilst the model tested here is an eye-watering £24,495 which doesn't include the £4,585 worth of options like rain sensitive wipers, Xenon headlamps, auto dimming rearview mirror, heated screen washer jets, message centre with trip computer and traffic master, special metallic paintwork, alarm and DVD-based satellite
navigation. Just how this car will perform against a future test of a Honda Accord Tourer, we'll have to wait and see.
Thanks to Elaine Winterburn at MG Rover for arranging the test. You can contact MG Rover on 08457 186 186 or by email at www.mgrover.com.
The Disabled Drivers' Motor Club wants you to spend your money wisely. There are a number of assessment centres around the UK for you to discuss your mobility requirements and we urge you to contact them before you commit your funds to a vehicle that may not be suitable. See pages 14-15 of the DDMC Annual Handbook for details of your nearest centre.
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