Rover 400 RT 420 D (86 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)
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.
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:
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.
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 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 | Disc [bad for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Drum [bad for performance and cooling.] |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Power steering | Hydraulic Steering |
| Tires size | 175/65 R14 |
| Front suspension | Spring Strut |
| Rear suspension | Spring Strut |















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