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Rover 400 XW 420 Turbo (200 Hp)
Overall Rating
Rover 400:
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.
Honda petrol engines were used in some Rover models, while the market competitive Rover L-series diesel engine was used from the mid-1990s in Hondas, before they designed their own diesel engine....(Read more on Wikipedia)
XW Overview:
Rover 400 (XW). With 237 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. Weighing only 1220 kg, it’s quite light. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. The top speed reaches 235 km/h. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
The Rover 400 (XW) generation was produced before Euro NCAP testing began in 1997, so no official safety rating is available. Safety features were typical for its era, including basic crumple zones and optional ABS on higher trims.
420 Turbo (200 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
Exceptional performance for a compact saloon of its era, offering strong acceleration and high top speed thanks to its powerful T16 turbo engine. A true 'sleeper' performance car.
Fuel Economy
Fuel consumption of 8.4 l/100 km is reasonable for a 200 Hp turbocharged engine from the early 90s, but not economical by modern standards.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Honda-derived platform offered good handling and reliability for many components.
- • Comfortable ride quality for its class.
- • Wide range of engines, from economical diesels to the potent 420 Turbo.
- • Relatively spacious interior and boot for a compact saloon.
- • Distinctive British styling with a more premium feel than some rivals.
Cons:
- • Some Rover-specific components could be prone to issues (e.g., head gaskets on K-series, though not the primary engines here).
- • Interior plastics and build quality could feel dated compared to later models.
- • Lack of modern safety features (no Euro NCAP rating).
- • Resale value depreciated quickly compared to German rivals.
- • Older diesel engines were quite noisy and unrefined.
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(XW: 1991 - 1995).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Rover |
| Model: | 400 |
| Generation: | XW |
| Modification (Engine): | 420 Turbo (200 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1993 |
| End of production: | 1995 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 200 Hp @ 6000 rpm. Same horsepower |
| Power per litre: | 100.3 Hp/l [Same length.] |
| Torque: | 237 Nm @ 2100 rpm. |
| Engine Model/Code: | T16 More details about the engine T16 |
| Engine displacement: | 1994 |
| Number of cylinders: | 4 |
| Engine configuration: | Inline |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 4 |
| Fuel injection system: | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration: | Turbocharger |
| Valvetrain: | DOHC |
| Engine oil capacity: | 4.5 l |
| Coolant: | 7.5 l |
| Engine layout: | Front, Transverse |
| Cylinder Bore: | 84.5 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 89 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 8.5:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - combined: | 8.4 l/100 km |
| Maximum speed: | 235 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 6.1 kg/Hp, 163.9 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 5.1 kg/Nm, 194.3 Nm/tonne |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1220 |
| Trunk (boot) space - minimum: | 410 l |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 55 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4370 mm mm [Same length.] |
| Width: | 1680 mm mm [Same width.] |
| Height: | 1400 mm mm [Same height.] |
| Wheelbase: | 2550 mm mm [Same wheelbase.] |
| Front track: | 1475 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1470 mm |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 5 |
| Transmission type | Manual |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Disc |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Power steering | Hydraulic Steering |
| Tires size | 195/55 ZR 15 |
| Front suspension | Wishbone |
| Rear suspension | Coil spring |
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