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Rover 600
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The Rover 600 Series is a compact executive car produced by the British car maker Rover from 1993 to 1999.
The Rover 600 exterior was designed by Rover, a complete re-skin of the Tochigi-developed Honda Accord, also built in the UK by Honda in Swindon. The core structure and vast majority of the engineering content was sourced from Honda but the vehicles were designed at the same time, with a small Rover team on-site in Japan.
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Encyclopedia
The Rover 600 Series is a compact executive car produced by the British car maker Rover from 1993 to 1999.
The Rover 600 exterior was designed by Rover, a complete re-skin of the Tochigi-developed Honda Accord, also built in the UK by Honda in Swindon. The core structure and vast majority of the engineering content was sourced from Honda but the vehicles were designed at the same time, with a small Rover team on-site in Japan. Colour and trim derivatives were also used to help separate the Rover from the Honda in the marketplace. The 1.8, 2.0 and 2.3-litre straight-4 petrol engines were all provided by Honda. However, the 2.0-litre turbodiesel Rover L-Series engine and turbocharged petrol engines were developed by Rover itself, evolutions of units already available elsewhere in the Rover model range.
The 600's interior included wood and chrome trim, as well as relatively high equipment levels, although rear legroom was criticised as rather constrained. The interior was derived from the Japanese-built Honda Ascot Innova, the only difference being the added passenger airbag on certain models. Carpet was also not evident along the bottom trim of the dashboard, although it did feature there on the Innova.
The Honda-derived chassis was reported to give a comfortable but unsporting ride. Given the Rover's equipment, prices were reasonably competitive in the large family car segment and considerably lower than the price of such compact executive cars such as the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
After six years, Rover 600 production ceased in the Spring of 1999; it was replaced with the retro-styled Rover 75 developed under BMW's stewardship. The 75 also replaced the larger 800 Series.
The 600 had been a popular car in the compact executive sector, with a large percentage of sales being to the fleet market.
620ti
In 1994, the 620ti was launched. It had a turbocharged, intercooled, 16-valve, twin-cam 2.0-litre T series engine, a top speed of , and a 0-60 mph time of 7 seconds, thanks to and torque. The 620ti also had uprated suspension, dark half-leather upholstery, and a set of six-spoke 16 inch alloy wheels. Autocar magazine (February 8, 1995) had an example on a long term test and found it to be as quick in the mid-range as a Ford Sapphire Cosworth following tests at Millbrook Proving Ground.
Versions
The 600 was available in the following versions:
- 618i
- 618 Si
- 620i
- 620 Si
- 620 SLi
- 620 GSi
- 623 SLi
- 623 GSi
- 623 iS
- 620ti
- 620 Di
- 620 SDi
- 620 SLDi
- 620 GSDi
Badging was determined by engine size: 618 models had 1.8-litre engines, 620 had 2.0 engines, and 623 had 2.3-litre engines. Petrol engines, apart from the 620ti, were Honda units and the 620ti and all diesel versions were Rover units. Honda used the Rover diesel engine in the diesel version of the Accord.
The 600 was available in a number of different trims. All models had power-assisted steering (PAS), electric front windows, remote central locking with alarm and immobiliser and tinted windows. The Si had split rear seats, Si Auto and above got a sunroof. SLi trim added electric rear windows and wooden door trim; GSi models received 15" multispoke alloys and full leather trim. From 1994 all cars had a driver's airbag. The 623iS had half leather trim and a small lip spoiler on its boot. The ti featured a set of hefty and curvaceous 16" six spoke alloys with up rated suspension, 'Torsen' gearbox and a dark half leather interior.
Run out models included:
- 618iL
- 618iS
- 620iSD
- 620iLD
S and SD models had the appearance of the 620ti, with the same hefty six spoke 16" alloy wheels and half leather trim. L and LD models had seven spoke 15" alloy wheels and full leather trim resembling the GSi models.
The range was revised (or mildly "facelifted") twice. The first revisions were in 1996 which included a slightly revised interior with a padded front arm rest and separate rear head rests, all models, apart from the ti, had 15" wheels, high level brake light, new alarm and immobiliser system (the alarm changed from an infra-red to a radio controlled handset and the ignition key became a 'transponder key', without which the immobiliser could not be disarmed), drink holders in the front doors, electric headlight adjuster and all models from Si specification upwards receive air-con and 15" alloys. At this time the T series changed ignition system from Distributor to 'Wasted Spark', pistons, Klinger head gasket, LSD and the steering was changed to Rover's Positive Centre Feel (PCF) system. UK cars which featured these revisons were all badged as "600" only, in line with most other models in the Rover range which no longer had badging by engine sizes.
The final revisions came in 1997, just over a year later, and all cars got slightly lowered suspension (~10 mm) and body-coloured sills, rubbing strips, door handles and door mirror covers.
External links
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- - Rover and Performance Rover Enthusiasts' Site
- - The online resource for all Rover owners and enthusiasts
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