Rover 45

Rover 45

Rover 45
The exterior style changes to the Rover 45 include a new front bumper design, a deeper integral front grille and twin lens headlamps and integrated indicator lamps, beneath a tough clear cover, that together give the 45 a much fresher and entirely more modern face.

At the rear the treatment is even more substantial, with a new, more angular rear bumper with re-positioned number plate, and a clean-panel rear boot / tailgate treatment giving a more defined rear appearance, enhanced on all models (4dr Saloon and 5dr Hatchback) with a rear lip spoiler for a completely new design style. Other exterior changes include body coloured side rubbing strip and lower sill extensions, giving a lowered body appearance.

The new fascia design includes four styled circular air vents that give definition and feature to the centre and ends of the fascia, and each finished in chrome. A narrower wood fascia insert dresses the interior appearance for a more subtle interpretation of this traditional Rover feature. The insert is also available in a new range of finishes - burr walnut for the Rover traditionalists, and for Rover customers after something a little more contemporary, light oak and dark oak finishes are also available.

Comfort - Automatic Temperature Control

A key new comfort specification feature introduced on Rover 45 is Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) air conditioning. This luxury feature allows the precise desired temperature of the air conditioning to be set, in Fahrenheit or Centigrade, with an external temperature display and solar sensor compensation. The new control panel is fully integrated in the console. This appealing new feature is standard on Club SE and Connoisseur models and is therefore available from an affordable £12,995.



2004 Rover 45
Convenience - Remote Activated Boot Release

A new feature for the latest Rover 45 is the remote activated boot release feature. This customer convenience feature allows the owner easier access to the boot of the car; by pressing a third button on the remote plip, the driver can release the boot lock while approaching the car. The boot will actually be open by the time they get to the car, and is particularly useful when approaching with either or both hands full.

The interior also features revised columns stalks that have a superior feeling matt finish. The switches used within the revised centre console are soft-touch membrane switches that look and operate in a more positive and modern way.

At service, the program wash / wipe facility can be programmed to vary the number of times the wipers operate after the windscreen wash has finished. A new 'Dribble Wipe' feature is an extra wipe of the screen approximately 4 seconds after the last wipe has occurred, after the program wash wipe, to capture any subsequent water dribble.

Secure Technology Secure - Greater Security and Locking

Auto relocking - if the car is locked / armed and the unlock button pressed, the car will auto lock / rearm if no doors are opened within 30 seconds and assumes the vehicle was unlocked / disarmed accidentally.

Speed locking - doors automatically lock when vehicle speed is greater than 3 mph / 5 km/h. The doors remain locked when the vehicle is stationary and will automatically unlock again when the ignition is turned off. Doors can be unlocked by using the master lock / unlock button.

Rover 45 has a Thatcham Cat. 1 alarm, top level security system and complies with the latest 2004 Security directives. The alarm system uses a battery backed up sounder, located within a shielded enclosure and protected with tamper proof fixings, which will activate if the power supply is tampered with.

Audible mislock - features a short horn sound if door / boot / bonnet are open when the vehicle is locked with the key or remote. The boot is more secure now the key lock is no longer specified and Automatic Engine immobilisation is activated after the ignition is switched off.

Remote locking feature

The new remote plip has a changing lock / unlock code every time it is used. No thief could record (or capture) the code then use it later. A new design of plip now features lock, unlock and remote boot release opening. It can be operated with the alarm armed or disarmed. The alarm rearms when the boot is closed, with hazard warning lamps flashing to indicate this security. The latest plip design has a much enhanced operating range.

Master Locking Switch

This new feature is located amongst the switches in the new centre console. It offers a greater degree of security as the car can instantly lock all of the doors, regardless of ignition or engine state, with a single press of the button. Also included is drive-away locking for occupant security against possible external threats. A panic alarm can be triggered by pressing the Master Locking Switch for over two seconds locking all doors, activating the alarm siren and flashing the hazard lamps and de-activated by another two second press or by pressing the plip unlock button.

Advanced Warning of Traffic Congestion

All UK specification Rover 45 (except the 1.4 Classic) feature the TrafficMaster® Traffic Alert System for congestion avoidance and rear ultrasonic parking distance sensors. No competitors currently apply either of these customer convenience features as extensively within their ranges.

Safety - ABS/EBD

All Rover 45 have ABS (anti lock braking system) and EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) fitted as standard. EBD helps to ensure that the rear brakes contribute as much braking force as possible, equalising the braking forces.

Renowned ride comfort

Rover 45 retains its reputation for occupant comfort with its exceptionally smooth ride comfort, brought about by its wheelbase, longer than many of its immediate competitors. Double wishbone suspension offers high levels of camber compensation and this ensures that the maximum amount of the tyre surface is in contact with the road surface during cornering situations and therefore increasing safety and driver confidence.

Key Competitors

Key competitors for Rover 45 are: the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra, VW Golf, Renault Mégane, Peugeot 307, Citroën Xsara, Honda Civic and Nissan Almera.

Exterior Colours

Solid: Dover White, Midnight Blue, new Rio Red
Metallic: Arbour Green, Starlight Silver, new Tempest Grey, new Provence Blue and new Sonic Blue
Pearlescent: Royal Blue, British Racing Green, Black Pearl, new Ski Blue, new Platinum Gold, new Firefrost