The 'latest' rumour as printed in Autocar is that the 25/45/75 will all be facelifted and introduced throughout 2004, the 45 coming first in the Spring.

 

Sorry, you'll just to have to be patient for a little while longer... :lol:

 

The 25 and 75 can wait as far as I am concerned. The 45 is desperate. How much longer are we going to have to wait though Ann? I won't hold my breath waiting for an answer.

Anthony.

 

if you ask me it's the 75 that needs the attention first for the simple reason that it is the newest and most up to date and therefore competitive product. As they say prevention is better than cure - so it takes little to keep the 75 at the forefront rather than let it fall behind and then facelift it when sales have sarted to drop and the competition is outgunning it.

The 45 is already viewed by CAR as the second worst car in the UK and the 25 is a reskinned Honda Concerto so whatever they do it won't make these cars cutting edge or bring them ahead of the competition will it?

 

Rover 45 is a good car. To hell with car magazines.

 

The 45 maybe pass its sell by date but the fact is its still a good car especially the chassis, this is proven by the MG ZS.

 

if you ask me it's the 75 that needs the attention first for the simple reason that it is the newest and most up to date and therefore competitive product. As they say prevention is better than cure - so it takes little to keep the 75 at the forefront rather than let it fall behind and then facelift it when sales have sarted to drop and the competition is outgunning it.

Er, except that sales of the Rover 75 have been *increasing* year-on-year (MGR have sold 15,000 since the start of this year compared to 11,000 for the whole of the previous year).

Glenn

 

Is that 15,000 in the UK alone or 15,000 worldwide ?

 

The 45 maybe pass its sell by date but the fact is its still a good car especially the chassis, this is proven by the MG ZS.

The Rover 45 is IMO one of the most underrated cars on the market. Hopefully with a fresh look inside and out (which it hopefully will get) it should be quite a competitve car again.

 

the 45 coming first in the Spring.

So let me get this right. They are launching a facelifted 45/ZS in the spring 2004 and then as long as RDX60 is not delayed again, replacing it in summer 2005. That gives the facelifted model just 15 months on the market.

I can't see the facelift being to drastic if this is the case. Perhaps just improved equipment levels, trim changes etc but nothing too drastic. They won't recoup the money they invested in it otherwise.

IMHO if the changes were more drastic than this I reckon the 45/ZS revamp would have been out by now.

 

The lack of any revamps is very disappointing.

The 25/ZR should be the priority in my view. 25 sales must be on the decline, OK the streetwise might prop it up a bit but it needs at least a moderate revamp now.

The ZR still seems to sell well but it needs a revamp to meet the new competition such as the C2 VTR

And plus the fact I want to buy one next year

 

So let me get this right. They are launching a facelifted 45/ZS in the spring 2004 and then as long as RDX60 is not delayed again, replacing it in summer 2005. That gives the facelifted model just 15 months on the market.

I can't see the facelift being to drastic if this is the case. Perhaps just improved equipment levels, trim changes etc but nothing too drastic. They won't recoup the money they invested in it otherwise.[/QUOTE

unless the 45 continues for a while - with the new car being something like the Rover 60.

 

unless the 45 continues for a while - with the new car being something like the Rover 60.

I think this should be the best option: revamping the 45 and letting R60 be the same level as the 75. Then, think about smaller models. But that needs very good and deep improvements in the rest of the range.

 

I really worry that MGR have lost the plot or been overtaken by too many events...

When they first started out they were dynamic and full of surprises....they slashed prices.....quickly brought out the Z range...surprised us with a TF....then

......silence....

then eventually announced the CR and sort of surprised us with SW.......SV took yonks to reach production..(and what benefit will all that investment bring?)

..and then more silence.

..in the meantime to Rover brand appears to be left to die other than the 75 which is now blossomming at last (more by luck than judgement)

I worry that, like Alchemy, it will end up as MG Cars - Rover will gradullly wither away....

If MGR want to revive the brand they need to revamp the 45 now - not in the spring - that'll be too late - freshen the 75 - and then redo the 25

 

Revamping the 25 could simply be a case of redoing the fornt and rear. The side profile is still pretty fresh 8 years on. The 45 however well, is looking really naff when lined up against modern stuff like the 307 , Focus etc. Not so much the profile just its poor detailing including door handles, dated bumper design , silly indicators and generally odd looking front end.

Id find it hard to bring myself to buy a 45 if i was in the market for a new car , and i'm a Rover diehard. Fair enough its chassis is very good but the car is looking completely past it now.

It came last in a huge grouptest done by Topgear in 2001 i think , pitched against the Xsara , 306, Focus, Almera , New Civic, Seat Leon, Golf , old Megane and Astra. Bear in mind that half of those cars have now been replaced.

 

The Rover 45 is IMO one of the most underrated cars on the market.

Agree entirely Steve. Minimal investment in giving it a moderate makeover internally and externally could extend it life for a good few years to come.

Personally, I expect the 45 to remain on sale alongside RD/X60... given what we know about MGR's Eastern European plans, with RD/X60 becoming a Mondeo / Vectra / Passat competitor and the current 75 being replaced by an 'enlarged' and probably reskinned 75.

Just my personal opinion, based on the fact that MGR have confirmed whatever is made in Eastern Europe will be available in most MGR markets.

John

 

Hopefully the RD60 will be bigger than the 45, so they should both lineup together.

 

I agree with what has been said about the 45. It does have a superb, potentially class leading chassis, but needs an external and internal makeover urgently. Imagine a Rover 45 reskinned with 75 style internals and ZS suspension. Sure to be a winner. I can't understand why some people think the 25 and 75 deserve attention before the 45. They are both still fresh enough to continue for a while, albeit the 25 build quality needs improving.

Anthony.

 

I agree with what has been said about the 45. It does have a superb, potentially class leading chassis, but needs an external and internal makeover urgently. Imagine a Rover 45 reskinned with 75 style internals and ZS suspension. Sure to be a winner. I can't understand why some people think the 25 and 75 deserve attention before the 45. They are both still fresh enough to continue for a while, albeit the 25 build quality needs improving.

Anthony.

OK the 75 can go a while and the fact the the 260 doesnt look any different suggests its going to have to. The 25/ZR however, needs urgent treatment because its one of MGR best sellers, so if they want to keep the numbers up they carn't afford to let sales decline and secondly there doesnt appear to be a replacement on the horizon unlike the 45.

If they did the following as a minimum they could make it reasonably competative IMHO.

1. Safety Upgrade

ABS as standard across the range, Passenger airbag as standard across the range except perhaps the cheapest model.

Incorporate Side Airbags, standard on top spec models.

2. Exterior

New Front and Rear Bumpers and Grill, possibly use Streetwise indicator and spot light arrangement particularly on ZR.

New Rear Lights for ZR Lexus style.

3. Interior

Ideally totally new dashboard but if not, at least Streetwise Centre Console and for F**k sake new Column Stalks they really do date the interior.

Would the above break the bank?.

Frankly I'm surprised nothing has been done to the 25/ZR what is MGR's direction?.

 

OK the 75 can go a while and the fact the the 260 doesnt look any different suggests its going to have to.

I wouldn't read too much into the launch of the 260. What I find of greater significance is the fact that the 385 which utilises a bespoke body kit hasn't appeared yet. If rumours of a revised 75 are correct - and let's remember they haven't been substantiated - then I know which model I'd hold back... and it wouldn't be the 260

I agree with what has been said about the 45. It does have a superb, potentially class leading chassis, but needs an external and internal makeover urgently. Imagine a Rover 45 reskinned with 75 style internals and ZS suspension.

Agree with the requirement for internal and external changes... but I would say keep the MY2003 suspension settings - they've really hit the nail on the head with these. The ZS suspension would be a tad too harsh for most target 45 buyers.

John

 

If the 45/ZS is being facelifted iwould have been out by now, i believe that if it is taking longer then possibly it wil be extensive.

 

... or else maybe they're just taking their time to make sure they get it right?

John

 

The future MGR range: :idea:

2004 - Cityrover: 1.4 diesel and petrol (+ passenger airbag)
2004 - MG ZCity: 1.4 petrol (103 hp)

LATE 2003 - R 25/ZR - reskinned: new interiors, new security elements.
- Further differenciation between 25-ZR.
LATE 2003 - R 45/ZS - reskinned: completely new interiors: elements from R75. New bumpers, lateral airbag,...
- Extreme reskin for R45 hatch. New rear. TCV rear lights. New front, new grille. Streetwise bumpers.
- Bigger differenciation 45/saloon/ZS

Early 2004 - New 45 and 75 WISE. Limited production.

2005-6 New R60.
2010-15: New Austin Mini.
New people carrier.
New R100: Luxury Rover.
20... - Morris and Mini brands revamped.
4x4 brand created.



:hyper:

 

Jodemode - it was reading like an authentic product development pipeline, but you couldn't resist panning forward to 2010. :lol:

 

True!:lol:

Well, more realistic plans cope 2003-2006.

The rest is pure optimism.

:cloud9:
We should think positive, and plan a bright future for MGR! We have enough bad press with car magazines.