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47-562: The Gibbs Aquada was a limited production concept car produced in 2003 and 2004. The Gibbs Aquada is powered by a 2.5 L Rover V6 engine . In 2004 Richard Branson , owner of the Virgin Group , used a Gibbs Aquada to set a new record for crossing the English Channel in an amphibious vehicle. Branson cut 4 hours 20 minutes off the previous record of 6 hours, which had stood since the late 1960s. The officially recorded time

94-651: A rear-wheel drive variant with a V8 engine was later sold. There was also an extended-wheelbase model. In 2001, MG Rover launched a badge engineered variant, the MG ZT . A coupé concept was built, but did not receive further development. Rover 75s were manufactured by the Rover Group at Cowley, Oxfordshire for one year. After owner BMW sold Rover, the 75 was manufactured by the new MG Rover Group at their Longbridge site in Birmingham . The Rover 75 debuted at

141-408: A speed warning indicator was also included. Additionally, electronic stability control (ESC) was due to be made standard fitment on the 75 from the 2006 model year onwards. The 75 underwent Euro NCAP and ANCAP car safety tests in 2001. The Rover 75 achieved the following ratings: All seats have anti-submarine ramps and three-point inertia reel seat belts with pre-tensioners , while

188-607: A "premium" front bumper featuring a deeper grille. 166 were produced in both saloon and tourer body styles, compared with 717 MG ZT 260s, for a total of 883 V8 cars. A heavily modified MG ZT-T V8, known as the X-15 broke the speed record for a non-production estate car on Bonneville Salt Flats, USA, in September 2003, achieving 225.609 mph (363.082 km/h). The engine was bored out to 6 litres, producing 765 bhp (570 kW; 776 PS), but remained normally aspirated. In

235-535: A V8 model at the Geneva Motor Show in 2004. This was the second iteration of the rear-wheel-drive platform developed from the front-wheel-drive Rover 75 platform by MG Rover, following the MG ZT 260 , introduced in 2003. It was the first V8-engined Rover since the demise of the Rover SD1 in 1986. The platform was extensively re-engineered for Ford's 4.6 litre Modular V8 and rear-wheel-drive, including

282-508: A height of 544 mm. Four hinged chrome lashing eyes are fitted to the floor, and oddment stowage compartments and two recessed hooks are located in the side walls. A stretched version of the Rover 75 — initially called Vanden Plas (later simply Limousine ) was introduced in 2002. Developed in conjunction with vehicle builder S. MacNeillie & Son Limited in Walsall, England, the model

329-455: A range of petrol and diesel engines from 1.8- to 2.5-litre sizes. Petrol engines provided were Rover's four-cylinder K series in 1.8-litre guise and the quad cam KV6, offered in either short-stroke 2.0 or revised 2.5-litre formats. The 2.0-litre was later dropped on introduction of the 1.8-litre turbo for emissions purposes. A diesel engine was provided through BMW Group channels. Engineered by Rover Group and Steyr engineers for transverse mounting,

376-605: A rattling noise in the manifold or minor loss of power at certain engine conditions. A Kia manufactured variant of the engine was also fitted to the Kia Carnival (people mover) with some problems on early model engines. A large percentage of first generation (1999–2005) Kia Carnivals sold in Australia required a new engine — some multiple engines. In most cases KIA provided a reconditioned short (without transmission) engine free of charge and with no questions asked, providing

423-671: A stiffened tunnel and bespoke rear suspension. As with the ZT 260, the 75 V8 was built on the standard production line, removed to allow the necessary structural modifications and installation of the V8 drivetrain, then returned to the line for final trim. Instead of the MG ZT 260's Tremec TR-3650 manual gearbox, the Rover 75 V8 featured Ford's 4R75W 4-speed automatic transmission. Other features included non-standard heating and ventilation, revised brakes and suspension, quad exhaust pipes, special badging, and

470-513: A version of BMW's Z-Axle arrangement used on the 1988 Z1 sports car. The 75 won a series of international awards. Assembly originally took place at Cowley but in 2000, following the sale of the company by BMW to Phoenix Venture Holdings , production was moved to Longbridge in Birmingham, England. 2001 saw the introduction of the Rover 75 Tourer (developed alongside the saloon but never authorised for production by BMW), swiftly followed by

517-431: Is able to communicate with the engine, briefly easing torque to allow smoother changes. A noticeable feature of the engine is its quietly growling engine note. Cam Drive The engine is fitted with four overhead camshafts driven by synchronous tooth belts. The system was a joint development between Dayco (the belt supplier) and Rover. A long serpentine belt at the front drives the coolant pump and both inlet cams. At

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564-450: Is deployed in Roewe 750 and MG 7 cars (China). At introduction, the engine enjoyed considerable technological advancement compared with its competition, most notably being the lightest and shortest V6 in its class. It has fully automatically tensioned drive belts and adaptive Siemens EMS2000 engine management. The fuelling and ignition timing are constantly varied to match the load on

611-588: Is required. The 1998 redesign of the KV6 by Rover Group under BMW included replacing the original metal inlet-manifolds and butterfly valves, with plastic units manufactured in Germany. The redesign also involved replacing the metal thermostat housing with a plastic unit. A costly but uncommon side-effect to using plastic components are breakages in the VIS ( Variable Inlet System ) butterfly valves that are mounted inside

658-409: Is that it incorporates "floating" inlet cam drive pulleys that are not directly keyed to the shafts. This means that special setting tools are required to establish the cam timing before the pulley fixings are tightened. This requirement is the result of the complexity of the cam drive train. In addition to the length and thickness tolerance of the belts, the accuracy of the cam timing is also affected by

705-528: The Birmingham Motor Show , with deliveries commencing in February 1999. As the last large Rover saloon, production of all models ended in 2005 when MG Rover Group entered receivership. The Rover 75 started life as part of a group of three new designs for the company under the guidance of Richard Woolley; a large saloon codenamed Flagship , a smaller vehicle (with the codename of Eric ), and

752-572: The Jaguar S-Type that was unveiled at the same show. Rover's brand image also hurt the 75 against competitors despite its positive reception. Sales picked up substantially during 2000, and it was Britain's fifth-most popular new car in the month of April of that year. It was still selling reasonably well at the time of MG Rover's bankruptcy in April 2005, and a small number of unsold 75s were still in stock as of early-2007, as Nanjing Automobile

799-618: The 4-cylinder M47R (M47 Rail) differed from M47D20 engines found in the E46 3 Series and E39 5 Series by featuring a direct injection common-rail system, different turbocharger and more sophisticated systems for temperature management. Transmissions on all models were either the Getrag 283 5-speed manual, supplied from the company's new facility in Bari , Italy, or the JATCO 5-speed automatic unit — one of

846-441: The 75. Alloy wheels are fitted with locking wheel nuts. Automatic locking when driving off is standard, but can be disabled by a dealer. On the inside is a master locking switch and the boot can only be opened by remote control or an interior button. A battery back-up sounder and tracking device called Trackstar were available as options. The 75 was tested by Thatcham's New Vehicle Security Ratings (NVSR) organisation and achieved

893-502: The 75. Of these only the 75 concept progressed. The initial aim was to reskin the Rover 600 (launched in April 1993) but following the BMW takeover in 1994, it was quickly decided that this platform would not be reused but replaced by an entirely new model, scheduled for launch in the late 1990s. Work on the new model, codenamed R40 , progressed with little operational interference from BMW;

940-798: The Aquada are the Gibbs Humdinga and the Gibbs Quadski . Rover KV6 engine The KV6 automotive petrol engine has a 24-valve quad-cam V6 configuration, and a pressurising variable-length intake manifold to add hot spots throughout the rev range. Variants exist in 2.0 to 2.5 litres (1,997 to 2,497 cc) capacities . These were built initially by Rover Group , then by Powertrain Ltd (a sister company to MG Rover ). KIA manufactured KV6 in Korea under licence . Production moved from

987-538: The MG ZT and MG ZT-T, more sporting interpretations of the model, differentiated by modified, sporting chassis settings and colour and trim derivatives. Between 2000 and 2003, there were few changes to the range: the most significant was the replacement of the 2-litre V6 engine by a low-pressure-turbocharged version of the 1.8-litre, four-cylinder engine. The introduction of the 'greener' 1.8-litre turbo greatly benefited British company car drivers who are taxed on carbon dioxide emissions. A customisation programme, Monogram ,

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1034-621: The UK Government offered a Powershift Rebate of some 60% of the conversion cost. When running on LPG the Rover 75 suffers only a slight reduction in performance compared to running on petrol; LPG fuel consumption is also slightly higher than when running on petrol but this is more than offset by the greatly reduced cost of the fuel. Rover released the station wagon/estate bodystyle of the 75, called Tourer, in July 2001. The tailgate featured an optional opening rear glass section. The load space

1081-636: The UK to China in 2005, re-designated NV6. First introduced into the Rover 800 series with the 1996 facelift, including the flagship Sterling saloon and coupe models, it has since also powered the Rover 75 and its sister car, the MG ZT , as well as the Rover 45 and the MG ZS . The engine was designed and developed by Rover at Longbridge to replace the Honda 2.7l V6 engine which was about to become non-compliant with tightening emissions legislation. The original unit

1128-466: The console texture finish was revised and the seat bolsters revised. Access to the rear seats was improved and leg-room increased. Steering received revised ratios from the MG ZT . Suspension was reworked. Pre-facelift styling Post-facelift styling The Rover 75 (and MG ZT derivative) were powered by a combination of Rover's own petrol and LPG K-Series and KV6 engines as well as Ford's Modular V8 and BMW's M47 diesel engine. The latter

1175-609: The engine to improve refinement. The engine uses Variable Geometry Induction, whereby air induction pipe lengths vary to optimise engine torque in response to different engine and road speeds, aiding refinement and efficiency. Although it bears the name of K Series, the engine has almost no components in common with the 4-cylinder version. In its Rover setup, the unit delivers peak engine power of 175 PS (129 kW; 173 hp) at 6,500 rpm, and maximum torque of 240 N⋅m (177 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm. The automatic gearbox in V6 800s

1222-402: The first transverse engine deployments made with this feature. Disc brakes at all four wheels were augmented by a Bosch 5.7 4-channel ABS system and electronic brake force distribution. The parking brake was a cable operated drum integral within the rear discs. Suspension was via front MacPherson struts, anchored by alloy lower L-arms and widely spaced mounting points. The rear suspension was

1269-556: The following ratings: Initial sales of the Rover 75 failed to match the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 in the British car sales charts during 1999. The public unveiling of the car at the Birmingham Motor Show drew favourable reactions, but was unfortunately overshadowed by a press conference afterwards by BMW chairman, Bernd Pischetsrieder , containing criticism of the UK Government's attitude to financial assistance in

1316-559: The front seats get additional load limiters and automatic belt height adjustment as standard. In certain markets a seat belt reminder for the driver was fitted. Each seat has an adjustable head restraint with the front ones pivoting on SE models. Thatcham's NCWR organisation (New Car Whiplash Ratings) tested the Rover 75 and awarded it the following scores: G = Good A = Acceptable M = Marginal P = Poor A perimetric (and optional volumetric) alarm, engine immobiliser and remote-control central locking with deadbolts are standard equipment on

1363-400: The non-serviceable inlet manifold. The second common fault is failure of the thermostat housing (often failing along the mould line), that will lead to gradual but rarely complete loss of coolant. A third common fault is oil contamination in the VIS motors that are mounted on the sides of the inlet manifold and control air intake. Damage to the butterfly valves or VIS motors is limited to causing

1410-506: The northern hemisphere spring of 2004, Rover introduced a facelifted 75 featuring an entirely new front grille and bumper, with one-piece headlights with halogen projectors. The rear also featured a new bumper with a revised chrome boot handle. The "premium" grille usually reserved for V8 and long-wheelbase models, was also applied to the limited edition CDTi Sport model in Portugal. This version, with blacked-out trim and 17-inch alloy wheels,

1457-425: The positional and diameter tolerance of each pulley and the thickness of each major engine casting. The result is that the required degree of timing accuracy could not otherwise be maintained. Early hand-finished units were affected by inconsistent production tolerances (1996-1998). This caused the height of the cylinder liners to vary, which risked over-compression or under-compression of the head gaskets. The engine

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1504-404: The rear, each inlet cam drives its exhaust cam by a short link belt. The single front belt is tensioned by a spring-loaded tensioner pulley incorporating a hydraulic damping element, but the two link belts do not incorporate any tensioning device. Instead, belt tension is set at assembly by very careful control of belt length and each pulley pair is pre-tensioned. An unusual feature of this system

1551-529: The redevelopment of the Rover Longbridge factory (where the new Mini and R30 were to have been produced), and effectively suggesting that Rover was in crisis. Press reaction interpreted this as saying that BMW were unhappy with continuing financial losses and were intending to close Rover down. This undoubtedly scared off many prospective buyers, despite the very positive reaction to the car itself. Indeed, it did (and still does) hold up very well with

1598-410: The styling received an enthusiastic response from the management and both companies believed the classical look would be the ideal direction for Rover. Advanced design processes included 3D virtual reality assembly simulations. The Rover 75 debuted at the Birmingham Motor Show on 20 October 1998 and went on sale until 17 June 1999 having been extensively tested by the motoring press. The 75 featured

1645-530: The vehicle was under warranty. For those outside warranty, Kia "covered costs proportional to what should have been the full expected life of components" and charged for labour and consumables. Rover 75 The Rover 75 is a car which was manufactured from 1998 to 2005 and sold under the British Rover marque. It is a large family car and came in four-door saloon and five-door estate body styles. Initially built only with front-wheel drive ,

1692-433: The window airbags had been standard equipment at the time of its Euro NCAP crash test in 2001, it would have scored the full five stars for the adult occupant impact rating. Also fitted are disc brakes all round, anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) with a traction control system (TCS) available as an option on 2.0 engines and above. On models fitted with Rover's Hi-Line infotainment system,

1739-631: Was 1 hour 40 minutes, 6 seconds. For the August 2004 edition of Top Gear magazine, journalist Paul Walton drove an Aquada into and around the Monaco harbour during the Grand Prix of Monaco to watch the event for free. He found the Aquada fast and responsive both in and out of the water but was too slow to see any of the race. The Aquada was developed in Auckland, New Zealand . The successors to

1786-511: Was available in the UK on 1.8 and 2.5-litre models. The LPG conversion was an after-market undertaking approved by MG Rover. Developed by EcoGas Systems Ltd and Landi Renzo S.R.L. in conjunction with MG Rover Powertrain Limited, the conversion was ordered from Rover dealerships, the cars retaining the three-year factory warranty. The retail price of the conversion was £2,195, but in an effort to encourage LPG use for transport, for ecological reasons,

1833-567: Was designated M47 R to identify the unit as a Rover special. Each engine fitted to the Rover and MG flagships were analysed and given a score between 0 (cleanest) to 100 (dirtiest) by Next Green Car. The Rover 75 was designed with reinforced footwells, underfloor box beams, side impact bars and a "ring of steel" around each door opening to prevent jamming in case of an impact. Driver and front passenger head and side airbags are fitted as standard, with side head "windowbags" available as an option until 2005 when they became standard equipment. If

1880-577: Was designed for low volume production but was later redesigned to fit into the smaller Rover 75 's bonnet, although performance remained similar. In 2004 the engine was licensed to Kia Motors who invested in a new plant at the Asan Bay complex to build the engine. This engine was used in several Kia vehicles. Its introduction in Korea shortly followed its use by Rover in the Sterling. The NV6 variant

1927-569: Was launched, allowing buyers to order their car in a wider range of exterior paint colours and finishes, different interior trims and with optional extras installed during production. Rather surprisingly, the 75 was offered for sale in Mexico, making it the first Rover to be sold in the Americas since the Sterling . From June 2002 a factory-approved dual-fuel petrol/liquid petroleum gas conversion

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1974-624: Was otherwise in Connoisseur SE spec, celebrating Rover's centenary in Portugal. Classic SE, Club and Club SE trim levels were dropped, and on Connoisseur trim light oak wood took the place of the original walnut, which remained standard fitment on the entry-level Classic trim. Rover also added a new trim to the range called Contemporary which featured revised fittings such as larger alloy wheels, body colour exterior accents, black oak wood trim and sports seats as well as an altered equipment. The instrumentation and its back-lighting were revised,

2021-571: Was preparing to reopen Longbridge. Based on the combination of safety, performance and maintainability, the Rover 75 was found in 2011 to be the cheapest car to insure in the United Kingdom across all age groups. 1998 – 2004 (Mark I) 2004 – 2005 (Mark II) 2006 – 2016 (Roewe 750) 1999 2000 2001 2002 2004 2006 2007 2010 2011 Production of the Rover 75 and MG ZT ended when MG Rover Group went into administration in April 2005. The Rover 75 design

2068-470: Was purchased by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) in early 2005, although the new MG Rover Group owner, Nanjing Automobile Corporation (NAC) acquired the tooling for the car. Both companies launched revised versions of the 75/ZT in China. SAIC's model was named the Roewe 750 (following the purchase of the Rover brand by Ford , the Roewe marque was created by SAIC for use worldwide) and NAC's

2115-404: Was re-engineered and the production facility automated prior to launching the Rover 75 (1998-2005), the engine having to fit under the sloping Rover 75 bonnet. Those changes resolved head gasket issues and the KV6 has a positive reputation for reliability. Most of the reliability issues relate to "value engineered" bolt on ancillaries, but the base engine is capable of large mileages before rebuild

2162-532: Was stretched by 200 mm in the rear floor pan and altering the rear doors. Available only in Connoisseur specification, its production moved to Longbridge after an initial short run by MacNeillie. The 75 was a ministerial car in the British Government, Tony Blair having official use of one while he was Prime Minister. Alistair Darling was seen in a long wheelbase Rover 75. Rover announced

2209-461: Was up to 1,480 mm wide and 2,060 mm long. With the seats up there is 400 to 680 litres of cargo space, and with the seats folded down (in a 60:40 ratio complete with centre load-through hatch) there is 1,222 litres available. Self-levelling rear suspension and an integral load restraint system were optional for the Tourer. Up to 100 kg can be loaded onto the roof, and the rear sill has

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