Rover 800 series

Last updated
Rover 800 Series
1991 Rover 820i Saloon (19182952221) (cropped).jpg
1991 Mk2 Rover 820i Saloon
Overview
Manufacturer Austin Rover Group (1986-88)
Rover Group (1988-98)
Also calledRover 820
Rover 825
Rover 827
Rover Sterling [1]
Rover Vitesse
Sterling 825 [2]
Production1986–1999
Designer Gordon Sked (1983)
Body and chassis
Class Executive car (E)
Layout Transverse FF layout
Related Honda Legend (1st gen.)
Acura Legend (1st gen.)
Chronology
Predecessor Rover SD1
Successor Rover 75

The Rover 800 series is an executive car (E-segment in Europe) range manufactured by the Austin Rover Group subsidiary of British Leyland, and its successor the Rover Group from 1986 to 1999. [3] It was also marketed as the Sterling in the United States. Co-developed with Honda, it was a close relative to the Honda Legend and the successor to the decade-old Rover SD1. [3]

Contents

Development

Partnership with Honda

The first product of the BL-Honda alliance was the Triumph Acclaim – and shortly after its launch the two companies mapped out an advisable strategy for future collaborative projects. Plans for a midsize car were investigated, but were dropped because BL already had the Austin Maestro and Austin Montego in the final stages of development. However both BL and Honda had a pressing need for a full-size executive car in their lineups. BL had to start planning for a successor to the Rover SD1, [4] whilst Honda was keen to expand its presence in the lucrative North American market – something which it couldn't fully do unless it had a full-size luxury saloon (at that time the Honda Accord was its biggest model) which would compete with similar large Japanese imports from Toyota and Datsun. Joint development of the car began in 1981 under the "XX" codename; the corresponding Honda version was known as the Honda Legend, and was codenamed as "HX". [3] The development work was carried out at Rover's Cowley plant and Honda's Tochigi development centre. Both cars shared the same core structure and floorpan, but they each had their own unique exterior bodywork and interior. Under the agreement, Honda would supply the V6 petrol engine, both automatic and manual transmissions and the chassis design, whilst BL would provide the 4-cylinder petrol engine and much of the electrical systems.

Honda and Austin Rover agreed that Legends would also be built in the Cowley plant for the British market. [5] The US-market (Acura) Legends were built in Japan. Early Japanese models were built at the Honda Sayama Factory.

It was finally launched on 10 July 1986, taking the place of the decade-old Rover SD1.

Rover's Special Vehicle Division considered building an estate version in 1992 as the 800 'Shooting Break'. [6]

Mark I (1986–1991)

Mark I
1989 Rover 820 E (19017592559) (cropped).jpg
1989 Rover 820 E hatchback
Overview
Manufacturer Austin Rover Group (1986–88)
Rover Group (1988–91)
Production1986–1991
Assembly Cowley, Oxford, England
Body and chassis
Body style 4-door saloon
5-door fastback/hatchback
Powertrain
Engine PETROL:
- Rover 2.0L L4 8v (O-series)
- Rover 2.0L L4 16V (M-series)
- Rover 2.0L L4 16V Turbo (T-series)
- Honda 2.5L V6 24V (C25A)
- Honda 2.7L V6 24V (C27A)
Transmission 5-speed manual
4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,760 mm (108.7 in)
Length4,694 mm (184.8 in)
Width1,946 mm (76.6 in)
Height1,398 mm (55.0 in)
1986 Rover 820Si (pre-R17 facelift) Rover 800 01.jpg
1986 Rover 820Si (pre-R17 facelift)
American spec Rover 800s were branded 'Sterling' Sterling 825s.jpg
American spec Rover 800s were branded 'Sterling'

At launch, the 2 litre versions of the 800 used two naturally aspirated 2.0 L 16-valve developments of British Leyland's stalwart O-series engine, dubbed the M series. [3] However, in 1988 an 820 Fastback (no letter after the 820 badge), with a single carburettor version of the O series was launched for the fleet market. The M series was divided into two versions; the M16e fitted to the 820e/se, with single point injection, and the M16i which was fitted to the 820i/si with multi-point injection, i.e. 4 injectors – the engine management system derived from that used in the MG Maestro and MG Montego models. The top 2.5 litre versions (825i & Sterling) used a Honda designed V6 unit in 2.5 L capacity. Initially, only a four-door saloon body was offered; a five-door liftback/hatchback version – referred to as a fastback  – became available in 1988.

There were no V8 versions of the Rover 800 series, in contrast to earlier Rover saloons of this size, including its immediate predecessor, the SD1. [3] Unlike its rear-wheel drive predecessor, it had front-wheel drive.

Rover 827 Vitesse hatchback interior 1989-1991 Rover 827 Vitesse hatchback (25541237615).jpg
Rover 827 Vitesse hatchback interior

Later, a diesel version of the car was launched in 1990 using a 2498 cc engine from Italian company VM Motori, [7] which was related to the slightly smaller engine used in the 2400 SD Turbo model of the Rover SD1, and Range Rover Turbo D.

The Sterling badge was used in Europe and most global markets to denote the top saloon luxury version and the Vitesse badge used to denote the top fastback sporting version. The Vitesse became available at the same time as the 2675 cc Honda V6. Both of these top of the range models were initially only available in the UK with the V6. In some European markets, in particular Italy, the 2.0 litre petrol was badged as Sterling and later available (in turbo form) as Vitesse to avoid punitive duties that made engines over 2.0 litres non-viable for volume sales. At the time of the launch, the Sterling provoked controversy as it overlapped in price with the entry level versions of the Jaguar XJ40 which was launched at the same time, and had been developed largely when Jaguar was still part of British Leyland.

Towards the end of Mark 1 production the Vitesse had nearly as many "luxury" features as the Sterling (for example, electric front seats). There was also a brief run of just over 500 820 Turbo 16v cars using a turbocharged version of the M series developed with help from Tickford, leading to this model often being referred to as the "Tickford Turbo". [8] Utilising such enhancements as sodium-filled exhaust valves and Mahle forged pistons the car produced 180 bhp (134 kW), although there is much speculation about this figure being severely held back by the electronics as not to step on the toes of the 177 bhp (132 kW) V6-engined models as well as to preserve the reliability of the gearbox.

In the USA, the car was branded as the Sterling, not a Rover and was only available with the Honda V6 petrol engines. Initial sales in America were strong, and the design was well received. However, early vehicles were soon found to have build quality and reliability problems. [9] Sales fell in the USA as the reputation of the model deteriorated, with J.D. Power surveys and journalists noting problems with the trim, electrics, paintwork and excessive corrosion. [8] This was especially damaging as at the same time, the same core vehicle, the Acura Legend was doing well in America. Many mechanical parts for the Sterling 825/827 are still readily available as it was similar to the Acura Legend in these areas, save for braking systems. However, electrical, body, and interior parts are quite difficult to locate in the US now. Despite the problems in America, it was the best selling executive car in the UK for 8 years. [8]

In February 1988, the 2.5 L engine was enlarged to 2.7 L, the Maestro-derived instrumentation had been changed to gauges sourced from a different component-builder (losing the oil pressure gauge and voltmeter in the process) and build quality had vastly improved. A short-lived base model of the 800, using an eight-valve (as opposed to the usual 16-valve) version of the O-series engine was introduced. This was called M8, it differed from the O-series engine as the water pump was driven by the timing belt.

The original version of the Rover 800 was one of the most popular cars in Britain's full-sized executive car market, which at this stage was effectively split into two strong sectors – mainstream brands such as Ford and Vauxhall, and prestige brands such as BMW and Audi. It directly competed with the likes of the Ford Granada/Scorpio and Vauxhall Carlton. [3]

Mark II [R17 major facelift] (1991-1999)

Mark II
1993 Rover 827 SI saloon (facelift).jpg
Rover 800 Saloon (post-R17 facelift)
Overview
Manufacturer Rover Group
Production1991–1999
Assembly Cowley, Oxford, England
Body and chassis
Body style 4-door saloon
5-door fastback/hatchback
2-door coupé
Powertrain
Engine PETROL:
- Rover 2.0L L4 16V (T-series)
- Rover 2.0L L4 16V Turbo (T-series)
- Rover 2.5L V6 24V (KV6)
- Honda 2.7L V6 24V (C27A)
DIESEL:
- VM Motori 2.5L L4 8v Turbo (425 OHV)
Transmission 5-speed manual
4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,760 mm (108.7 in)
Length4,882 mm (192.2 in)
Width1,965 mm (77.4 in) (Saloon & Fastback)
1,900 mm (74.8 in) (Coupé)
Height1,363 mm (53.7 in) (Saloon & Fastback)
1,400 mm (55.1 in) (Coupé)
1993 Rover 825SD saloon (post-R17 facelift, but a year before minor changes including smoked rear lights) 1993 Rover 820 SI Auto (14384658003).jpg
1993 Rover 825SD saloon (post-R17 facelift, but a year before minor changes including smoked rear lights)
1995 Rover 825SD saloon, rear view (post-R17 facelift, but a year before minor changes including smoked rear lights) Rover 825sd.jpg
1995 Rover 825SD saloon, rear view (post-R17 facelift, but a year before minor changes including smoked rear lights)

In the autumn of 1991, the 800 was reskinned and reengineered under the R17 codename, being launched on 12 November 1991. This saw the reintroduction of the traditional Rover grille and more curvaceous bodywork. [3] The scope of the design change was restricted by the need to retain the core XX structure, including the door structure design.

The redesign was a partial answer to major press and market criticism of the "folded paper" school of design and the quest for better aerodynamics that had led to many cars appearing very similar, especially from the front. The redesign found much favour and as a result the car's sales enjoyed a renaissance, the 800 series becoming Britain's best selling executive car in the early to mid-1990s, overtaking the Ford Granada which had been Britain's best-selling car in this sector almost continuously since its launch in 1972. Although the Granada's successor, the Scorpio, failed to sell well, mainly due to its controversial exterior design, the 800 was faced with stiff competition from 1994 in the shape of the Vauxhall Omega, as well as premium brand competitors including the BMW 5 series.

Following concerted efforts to learn from the problems that had hit the early model years, especially under the more extreme United States market and climatic conditions, quality in general had improved dramatically by this stage, but the decision to leave the US market had already been taken. However build quality problems such as trim rattles and electrical faults still remained. [8]

The 2.0 L T16 replaced the M16 found in pre-1992 cars, and came in both normally-aspirated and turbocharged forms. The 2.0 L turbo was fitted to the Vitesse and the later Vitesse Sport (1994–96), taking the place of the former 820 Turbo.

Coupé

Coupe 1999 Rover 825 Sterling Coupe Automatic 2.5 (1).jpg
Coupe

A two-door three-box notchback coupé version was launched in early 1992, having debuted at the 1991 Motor Show. This specification had originally been developed with the American market in mind but was never sold there, with Rover having pulled out of the US market before the Coupé's launch. [8] It was, however, sold to other export markets. Eighty percent of the interior and exterior of the 800 Coupé was finished by hand. [8] [10] The original Rover 800 had also formed the basis for the coupe version of the Honda Legend after its 1986 launch, but at the time Rover had decided against launching a coupe version of the 800 series.

From February 1992 until 1996, the Rover 800 Coupe came exclusively with the 2.7 Honda V6 engine and 16" Rover 'Prestige' alloys. A four-speed automatic transmission came as standard, and the car was capable of well over 130 mph.

1996 minor facelift

1999 820 Sterling (post-R17 facelift) 1999 Rover Sterling Automatic 2.5.jpg
1999 820 Sterling (post-R17 facelift)
Interior of the same 820 Sterling (with non-standard gear knob) showing passenger airbag cover where pre-1994 models had a shelf 1998 Rover 820 Sterling Interior.jpg
Interior of the same 820 Sterling (with non-standard gear knob) showing passenger airbag cover where pre-1994 models had a shelf

A facelift in 1996 provided few exterior changes, the most noticeable being the painting of previously black rubbing strips on all models except the coupé and the revision of the suspension system. Grille fins became silver in colour, instead of their former black. Climate control, passive immobilisation and a passenger airbag became standard, and a 6-disc CD auto-changer was fitted to all models apart from the entry-level ("i") model. Security technology was upgraded with a change from infra red to radio frequency for the remote door key. Wood finishes were expanded, with a coachwork line and "ROVER" on the door cards, accentuating the new, pleated seat finishes and deep pile rugs along with pleated leather door cards, much of which was handmade with what Rover called in its advertising "the craftsman's touch".

Post 1996 Vitesses were all "Sport" specification so the sport badge was dropped, also from 1996 the 2.0L T16 engines used wasted spark ignition instead of distributor. Non-sport Vitesse models have approx 180 bhp (130 kW), whilst the sport has 197 bhp (147 kW).

Although the 800 had fallen behind the competition considerably (few mechanical changes were made, apart from the introduction of the Rover KV6 Engine which replaced the Honda 2.7 V6 in 1996), it was a steady seller until the spring of 1999, when it was replaced by the Rover 75.

Reliability

A Rover KV6 2.5 litre engine fitted to a 1998 Rover 800 Sterling Rover800kv6.JPG
A Rover KV6 2.5 litre engine fitted to a 1998 Rover 800 Sterling

The Rover KV6 and M-series engines in the 800 series was hampered by reliability problems and head gasket failures. [7] [11] Rover at the time, with no understanding of the problems, simply replaced the engines. In many cases repair would not have been an option due to liner problems. The KV6 engine was in most cases mated to a JATCO gearbox which also in some cases suffered from reliability issues. [11] This was sometimes due to incorrect gearbox fluid changes.

The Rover 820 Vitesse in most guises suffered from problems with gearbox bearings because of the large amount of power from the 2-litre turbo engine. The bearings can be replaced with more durable steel caged bearings.

Model designations

Unlike many other manufacturers who used numerical model naming systems, Rover never settled on a permanent standard for the majority of their cars. However, for the following designations are an approximate guide:

Following the 1992 R17 facelift, the convention was simplified to:

Users

The 800 was a keystone of the British government's car fleet throughout its life, following a tradition of using British-made Rover and Jaguar models. Tony Blair owned an early 800 soon after its launch, just a few years after becoming an MP. The car was also used by many British police forces as police cars. The fictional radio DJ Alan Partridge drives an 825 saloon in the sitcom I'm Alan Partridge . [12]

Motorsport

On 6 June 1988, rally driver Tony Pond became the first person to complete a lap of the TT motorcycle course at an average speed of over 100 mph (160 km/h) in a car – a Rover 827 Vitesse, standard apart from safety features and racing tyres. [13] Pond's record remained unbeaten until 2011.

Production figures

Rover 800 production peaked in 1987, its first full year, but had dipped sharply by 1991 as a result of the recession and the fact that it was being replaced by a facelifted model towards the end of the year. By 1998, yearly production figures had fallen to just over a tenth of its 1987 peak.

198615,609
198754,434
198848,634
198935,387
199029,460
1991 (pre-facelift)10,007
1991 (post-facelift)2,961
199228,136
199328,354
199421,802
199513,311
199611,400
199711,131
19986,500
317,306 were built in total

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peugeot 405</span> Motor vehicle

The Peugeot 405 is a large family car manufactured by the French automaker Peugeot from 1987 to 1997. Its production continued under license from outside Europe in Iran by Iran Khodro Company until 2023. It was voted European Car of the Year for 1988 by the largest number of votes in the history of the contest. About 2.5 million vehicles have been sold worldwide, both in left and right drive versions, as a saloon and estate. In early 2020, the 33-year production run of the Peugeot 405 was counted as the twentieth most long-lived single generation car in history."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rover 200 / 25</span> Rover 214 si

The Rover 200 Series, and later the Rover 25, are a series of small family cars that were produced by British manufacturer Rover from 1984 until 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acura Legend</span> Motor vehicle

The Acura Legend is a mid-size luxury/executive car manufactured by Honda from Japan. It was sold in the U.S. and Canada under Honda's luxury brand, Acura, from 1985 until 1995 as both a sedan, which was classified as a full-size car, and a coupe, which was classified as a mid-size car. It was the first flagship sedan sold under the Acura nameplate, until being renamed in 1996 as the Acura 3.5RL. The 3.5RL was the North American version of the KA9 series Honda Legend.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rover 400 / 45</span> Motor vehicle

The Rover 400 Series, and later the Rover 45, are a series of small family cars that were produced by the British manufacturer Rover from 1990 to 2005. The cars were co-developed as part of Rover's collaboration with Honda. The first-generation 400 was based on the Honda Concerto, and the Mark II 400 was based on the Honda Domani/Civic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honda Legend</span> Motor vehicle

The Honda Legend is a series of V6-engined executive cars/mid-size luxury sedans produced by Honda since 1985 which currently serves as its flagship vehicle. It is larger than the Honda Accord. It also provided the basis for the Acura Legend, RL and RLX — the successive flagship vehicles of Honda's luxury Acura division in North America from 1986 until 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rover SD1</span> Motor vehicle

The Rover SD1 is both the code name and eventual production name given to a series of executive cars built by the Specialist Division, and finally the Austin Rover division of British Leyland from 1976 until 1986, when it was replaced by the Rover 800. The SD1 was marketed under various names. In 1977 it won the European Car of the Year title.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honda C engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

Honda's first production V6 was the C series; it was produced in displacements from 2.0 to 3.5 liters. The C engine was produced in various forms for over 20 years (1985–2005), having first been used in the KA series Legend model, and its British sister car the Rover 800-series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MG ZS (2001)</span> Motor vehicle

The MG ZS is a sports family car that was built by MG Rover from 2001 until 2005. The ZS is essentially a tuned version of the Rover 45. The 45 in turn is a facelifted version of the Rover 400 which was launched in hatchback form in 1995 and saloon form in 1996, which in turn was derived from the Honda Domani.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volvo 700 Series</span> Range of executive cars

The Volvo 700 series is a range of executive cars produced by the Swedish manufacturer Volvo Cars from 1982 to 1992. The 700 series was introduced in 1982 with the luxurious 760, followed two years later by the lower priced 740 which capitalized on the prestige attained by the very similar 760. The 700 series was then gradually replaced, beginning in 1990, by the 900 series. The 700, designed by Jan Wilsgaard, was originally to have been a replacement for the 200 series, but production of that model continued until the early nineties. The expensive 780, a Bertone-designed coupé version, entered production in 1986 and departed without a direct successor only four years later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MG ZT</span> Motor vehicle

The MG ZT is a car which was produced by MG Rover from 2001 to 2005. It was offered in saloon and estate versions, the latter designated as the MG ZT-T. Styling is similar to the Rover 75, upon which it was based, although various modifications, most noticeably the wheels and tyres, make for a far sportier ride. Production ceased in April 2005, amidst financial turmoil at MG Rover.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rover KV6 engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion 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 capacities. These were built initially by Rover Group, then by Powertrain Ltd. KIA manufactured KV6 in Korea under licence. Production moved from the UK to China in 2005, re-designated NV6.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lancia Kappa</span> Motor vehicle

The Lancia Kappa or Lancia k is an executive car manufactured and marketed by Italian manufacturer Lancia from 1994–2000, with saloon, estate, and coupé variants — sharing platforms with the Alfa Romeo 166. The Kappa has a front-engine, front-drive, five passenger, left-hand drive design.

1984 in motoring deals with developments in the automotive industry throughout 1984 by various automobile manufacturers, grouped by country. The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles, and is one of the Earth's most important economic sectors by revenue. The first practical automobile with a petrol engine was built by Karl Benz in 1885 in Mannheim, Germany.

1986 in motoring includes developments in the automotive industry throughout 1986 by various automobile manufacturers, grouped by country. The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles.

1989 in motoring includes developments in the automotive industry throughout the year 1989 by various automobile manufacturers, grouped by country. The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles.

1991 in motoring includes developments in the automotive industry that occurred throughout the year 1991 by various automobile manufacturers, grouped by country. The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles.

1992 in motoring includes developments in the automotive industry that occurred throughout the year 1992 by various automobile manufacturers, grouped by country. The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles.

1998 in motoring includes developments in the automotive industry that occurred throughout the year 1998 by various automobile manufacturers, grouped by country. The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volvo 900 Series</span> Range of executive cars made by Volvo Cars

The Volvo 900 Series is a range of executive cars produced by the Swedish manufacturer Volvo Cars from 1990 to 1998. The 900 Series was introduced in 1990 to replace the 700 Series from which it derived. Prior to the end of its production, the 960 was renamed as the Volvo S90 (saloon) and Volvo V90 (estate), and the 940 was renamed 940 Classic, becoming the last rear-wheel-drive cars from Volvo, until the 2023 Volvo XC40.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rover R8 platform</span> Motor vehicle

The Rover R8 platform was an automobile platform used for the Mark I Rover 200 Series and the Mark II 200 and 400 Series, compact family cars produced by the Austin Rover Group, and later the Rover Group.

References

  1. ↑ Rover Sterling, www.rover800.org.uk Retrieved 10 April 2018
  2. ↑ Sterling sales brochure, rover800australia.com Archived 1 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine , Retrieved 21 November 2017
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Rover 800 (1986)-(1999) history". Honest John. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  4. ↑ Pilkington, Alan (1996). "Learning from Joint Venture: The Rover-Honda Relationship"]". Business History. 38 (1): 90–114. doi:10.1080/00076799600000005.
  5. ↑ David Bowen Terry McCarthy and John Eisenhammer (6 February 1994). "How Honda let Rover go to strangers". The Independent. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  6. ↑ "Estate Car Themes". www.shado.co.uk. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  7. 1 2 "AA Rover 800 used car review" (PDF). The Automobile Association . Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Happy Birthday: Rover 800". Honest John. 27 June 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  9. ↑ "RAC Rover 800 review". RAC . Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  10. ↑ "Rover – The Long Goodbye". Documentary. 23 August 2007. 26:45 approx minutes in. BBC. BBC Four.
  11. 1 2 "Rover 800 buying". Honest John. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  12. ↑ "Rover 825". The Internet Movie Car Database. 22 February 2018.
  13. ↑ Rush Magazine: Tony Pond | Isle of Man Record

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.