Reborn Rover driven

Newswheel staff :: 02 May 2007 :: Filed under Saloon, Nanjing, Rover

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The Nanjing MG7

Crusty old Steve Cropley, Autocar’s Antipodean anglophile, has the scoop on the first production variants of Nanjing’s resurrected Rover 75. “Reassuringly British,” quothe Cropley, though we dare not speculate what Britishness means in the context of modern motor manufacturing…

The Nanjing MG7, as the new car is known, is pretty much a dead ringer for the old 75. Only LED taillights and new rims distinguish the Chinese-built car. For the record, Cropley reckons quality is a match for the original 75. Mechanical refinement, likewise, is said to be up there with current class leaders. Impressive, if true.

The engine range includes a blown petrol four (160bhp) and 190bhp 2.5-litre V6. Both engines are Euro 4 compliant thanks to some engineering input from Lotus. Nanjing has also addressed the K-Series lump’s well-documented head gasket problems courtesy of a new five-layer upgrade.

The MG7 has been on sale for about a month in China with prices in the £14,000 - £20,000 range. However, it’s unclear whether it will ever be sold in Europe. Nanjing allegedly has plans to restart production at Longbridge, but we’re not getting too excited just yet.

Linkage:
Autocar