Rover 400 RT 420 D (86 Hp)


Overall Rating

6 / 10
Safety 2.0 / 5
Engine 4.0 / 5
Value 3.5 / 5
Performance 3.0 / 5
Comfort 3.5 / 5
People\'s Opinion N/A / 5
Not Rated

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)

RT Overview:

Rover 400 (RT). With 170 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. It has moderate fuel consumption (~7.5 l/100km). Weighing only 1240 kg, it’s quite light. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 14 s). The top speed reaches 170 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.

Safety Rating
Euro NCAP Year 1998
Adult Occupant 62.5%
Stars 2
Expert Note:
The Rover 400 received a modest 2-star Euro NCAP rating, indicating significant risks of injury in frontal impacts, particularly to the driver's chest and legs. Side impact protection was comparatively better.

420 D (86 Hp) Verdict:

Rating 3 stars

Performance Verdict

Performance is sluggish, particularly for overtakes, making it best suited for relaxed driving and not for spirited acceleration.

Fuel Economy

Expected to be highly economical, offering excellent fuel range, though specific figures are not provided for this variant.

Best Use Case: Long-distance / Economical

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • • Comfortable ride quality for its class
  • • Spacious interior, especially for rear passengers
  • • Good range of economical diesel engines (L-series)
  • • Classic British styling with a refined feel
  • • Affordable on the used car market

Cons:

  • • Notorious K-series petrol engine head gasket issues
  • • Dated interior design compared to some rivals
  • • Average safety ratings (Euro NCAP)
  • • Some petrol engines can be quite thirsty
  • • Inconsistent build quality in certain areas

Specifications:

Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(Tourer (XW): 1994 - 1998).

General:
Brand:Rover
Model:400
Generation:RT
Modification (Engine):420 D (86 Hp)
Start of production:1995
End of production:2000
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:Sedan
Seats:5
Doors:4
Engine:
Power:86 Hp @ 4500 rpm. Same horsepower
Power per litre:43.1 Hp/l [126mm more]
Torque:170 Nm @ 2000 rpm.
Engine Model/Code:L More details about the engine L
Engine displacement:1994
Number of cylinders:4
Engine configuration:Inline
Number of valves per cylinder:2
Fuel injection system:Diesel Commonrail
Engine aspiration:Turbocharger
Valvetrain:OHC
Engine oil capacity:4.5 l
Coolant:7 l
Engine layout:Front, Transverse
Cylinder Bore:84.5 mm mm
Piston Stroke:88.9 mm mm
Compression ratio:19.5:1
Performance:
Fuel Type:Diesel
Fuel consumption (economy) - urban:7.5 l/100 km
Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban:4 l/100 km
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h:14 sec
Acceleration 0 - 62 mph:14 sec
Maximum speed:170 km/h
Weight-to-power ratio:14.4 kg/Hp, 69.4 Hp/tonne
Weight-to-torque ratio:7.3 kg/Nm, 137.1 Nm/tonne
Acceleration 0 - 60 mph:13.3 sec
Space:
Kerb Weight:1240
Max. weight:1690
Max load:450
Trunk (boot) space - maximum:810 l
Trunk (boot) space - minimum:470 l
Fuel tank capacity:55 l
Size:
Length:4491 mm mm [126mm more]
Width:1695 mm mm [15mm more]
Height:1385 mm mm [5mm less]
Wheelbase:2622 mm mm [72mm more]
Front track:1475 mm
Rear (Back) track:1465 mm
Powertrain:
Drivetrain ArchitectureThe Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle.
Drive wheelFront wheel drive
Number of gears5
Transmission typeManual
Front brakesDisc [bad for performance and cooling.]
Rear brakesDrum [bad for performance and cooling.]
Assisting systemsABS (Anti-lock braking system)
Steering typeSteering rack and pinion
Power steeringHydraulic Steering
Tires size175/65 R14
Front suspensionSpring Strut
Rear suspensionSpring Strut

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