The Rover 75 V8 is here!

Media Release 10 February 2005
For immediate release

The Rover 75 V8 is here!

Rover's long awaited flagship, the Rover 75 V8 saloon has arrived in New Zealand.

It is the first time since 1986 that Rover has had a V8 engined model in its range. That was the final year the SD1 bodied Vitesse and Vanden Plas was available. Before the various SD1 models, Rover had commenced its V8 heritage with the iconic P5B in 1967.

Indeed the exclusive deep grille fitted to the 2005 Rover 75 V8 echoes the original P5B.

With lashings of leather upholstery and trim in the interior and its retro designed dashboard with dark oak wood trim, the Rover 75 V8 epitomises all that is best in traditional British car design.

Available only with a four speed automatic transmission, the Rover 75 V8 comes in the top of the range Contemporary SE specification and like its forbearers, specialises in effortless performance.

The 4.6 litre V8 engine is sourced from Ford in North America, where it powers the Mustang. Rover engineers have re-designed the inlet and exhaust manifolding to meet all European emission control regulations.

In this guise, the motor produces 410 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm. The engine has a distinctive V8 burble, while inside the sumptuous cabin it is quietly subdued.

With its aural symphony, the four tail pipes, subtle V8 badging and the exclusive deep grille, the latest Rover V8 can not be mistaken for any of the other front wheel drive Rover 75 models.

The car's power in reserve performance comes from its strong mid range driveability with more than 360 Nm of torque available from below 1500 rpm.
Power is fed through a four speed automatic transmission, with winter, sports and normal modes, to a limited slip differential which distributes the power to the rear wheels. A traction control system is standard, as is cruise control for those long open road runs.

The Rover 75 V8's rear drive chassis has been completely redesigned from the 75's original front wheel drive chassis.

There is more emphasis on a compliant ride and greater comfort levels. The chassis is better balanced with the north - south power train installation.

There are new front suspension uprights with different spring rates and a larger anti-roll bar. At the rear an all new multi link system which incorporates steel and alloy links and alloy trailing arms and an anti-roll bar is used. Bilstein dampers are fitted all round.

A new forward mounted rack and pinion steering system has power assistance and the steering column is adjustable for reach and rake.
The Rover 75 V8 sits on 18 inch alloy wheels with 225/45 tyres. The four wheel ventilated disc brakes have a four channel ABS system.

Other safety features include door anti-intrusion beams, four front airbags, ITS roof airbags, automatic front seat belt height adjustment with load limiters and pretensioners on all five, three point seat belts.

The front seats are heated and have power adjustment with a driver's position memory.

Other standard equipment includes automatic temperature control climate air conditioning, electric windows, front and rear fog lamps, heated and folding door mirrors with power adjustment, heated windscreen washer jets, Xenon headlights with height adjustment and power wash, rain sensing wipers, parking distance sensors at the rear, a trip computer and sunroof.

A 10 speaker Harman Kardon sound system has steering wheel mounted controls and includes a six stack CD changer.

Security equipment includes a comprehensive remote central locking system with an alarm and engine immobiliser. All door locks have extra shielding around them.

At $92,990, the Rover 75 V8 Contemporary SE, with its combination of performance, luxury fittings and standard specification offers a value for money luxury alternative to other European luxury cars of a similar size.

ENDS

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