Rover 45 V6 Connoisseur Road Test Review. They squeezed a KV6 engine into a compact saloon car.

These days engines in European cars are getting smaller with typically only 3 or 4 cylinders.
Rover bucked the trend in the early 2000's by putting a two litre version of their KV6 engine into the C segment Rover 45 four door saloon and five door hatchback.
Back in the 1980's Rover were ahead of the curve with all the sophisticated style and quality of their larger cars being put into a range of compact luxury cars which were popular with older drivers who wanted to downsize, but also appealed to aspiring executives in the then fiercely competitive company car sector.
To some Rover was a failing car manufacturer who refreshed rebadged Honda's but to others Rover still is so much more. The once innovative British marque reminds us of a time when British exports were highly valued and our technology and industry lead the world.
Today the V6 versions of the Rover 45 are incredibly rare and it was a real privilege to have been loaned this vehicle for test by Joseph Lloyd of the Lloyd vehicle consulting KZbin channel. If you haven't already done so you may wish to check out Josephs channel. My personal favourites are his 'No Budget Reviews' where he features cars that can be bought with an MOT for under £1000. His 'Shambolic Shuffle's' are Josephs cars show reports and are the stuff of legend which has to be seen to be believed.
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Are you based in Yorkshire and have an interesting car that would make for a great video.
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Hope to catch you on the next one.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The steering and handling are, by far, one of the best things about this car. Despite all its issues, they must be a couple of the reasons why I have kept it so long. When Mr Richardson drove it in 2020, he also revved it up to over 7,000 rpm before it changed up, and it sounds brilliant if you do, although I don't do it very often. The size of the car is very good too, it does feel quite small these days. Those parking sensors are almost essential, though, as the rear visibility is a bit shocking. Excellent work, sir!

[@markonmotoring]

I suspect in some level that free revving V6 may be part of the reason you remain so fond of this car. It's so unique in this class of car and gives real character.. I dare say that exploiting this feature in part has led to this reputation for thirst but the typical Rover driver has a little more decorum than to be racing about everywhere. Many of today's cars with less cylinders and turbo chargers don't really like to be revved out and dint produce any more power or torque when you do, cars from a few decades ago however were often at their best when allowed to stretch their legs a little and in many cases the occasional blast probably does the engine good (provided it is sufficiently warmed up). Thanks again Joseph for supplying this rare vehicle for review.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@markonmotoring , if you go gently, you might get around 32 mpg. Just as well this runs on E10 with no real issues. The KV6 sounds very good when revved, you would have reached the variable valve timing when you got it up so high in the rev range, although that feature only adds around 2 bhp. I do stick my foot down sometimes, and am always rewarded for having done so. This car drives much better than most people assume it would do, and the ride actually has a surprising edge of firmness to it without it being uncomfortable. The engineers who developed the 45 to be distinct from the "Swindon Civic" and the HH-R 400 did an excellent job of getting the right balance with this, exploiting the excellent EG Civic chassis basis with its double wishbone suspension at the front and multi-link setup at the rear so it rides and handles just right for a sports saloon. If they had offered a manual gearbox it would have been even better.

[@markonmotoring]

Did they ever offer this engine with a manual gearbox in the MGZS?

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@markonmotoring, yes, a 2.5 litre version of it was used in the MG ZS 180.

[@markonmotoring]

Ah ok,I presumed the 2.5 must not have for in the 45's engine bay but clearly not the case if it fits in the ZS.

[@richardhowlett7398]

Absolutely cracking little film Mark .

[@markonmotoring]

Thank you Richard, very kind of you to say so. As it was done in a bit of a hurry I was concerned that I may leave out too much information or the quality would suffer but it's great to hear you enjoyed the finished product.

[@sleepycatpictures1176]

Good little report Mark, thank you!

[@markonmotoring]

Thank you.

[@Mr_Boaty]

I really enjoyed this. Nice work and thank you!

[@markonmotoring]

Thank you Boaty. Good to hear you enjoyed this as with it being a bit rushed I was concerned that it may not have done the car justice and as a result may not reflect my best work. I've been driving another V6 recently too but that video is yet to be edited.

[@agentw211]

Top vid mark looking forward to what ever you post up next, all the best…

[@markonmotoring]

Thanks, will probably be an event video of some sort but there wil also be more car reviews to come soon.

[@dionwood4625]

Hi mark great video. I had a Rover 45 as a cheap temporary car ended up having it four years!🤣 Think it was the k series engine and as we all know they love going through head gaskets 😩but stuck with the 45 longer than I intended due to the nice drive . Keep up the good work Mark👍

[@markonmotoring]

Thank Dion. Yes many of the Rovers from the R8 of 1989 right upto the very end used the K series engine. Apparently cost cutting didn't help the reputation of these engines for doing head gaskets although many other cars of the era were probably just as prone to gasket failure. The K series was actually a pretty advanced lean burning engine for it's time and even the 1.4 with its 16 valves and twin camshafts was an impressive unit. The K V6 in this car is a two litre and it's unusual to find a V6 in a car of this size. It's a real novelty.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

A excellent review of a lovely car which is a testament to Mr Lloyd. It really does like to rev when you bury the pedal into the wilton. Also loved the start of the video, may have to visit Ferry bridge when I am down at the weekend.

[@markonmotoring]

Thanks Davy. It's a very unique and interesting vehicle and Joseph as you know has maticulously preserved this example of a very rare specification Rover. It's a shame you didn't have time to drive the car last time. Are you just down for Saturday or all weekend?

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

@@markonmotoring just the Saturday again, was a shame but the day was just so busy that I never got the chance to film Mr Lloyd's 45.

[@markonmotoring]

@@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain Not yet sure if I'll be working or not but if I'm home not then I'll let you know.

[@FuelPower]

Great review of Mr Lloyd's Rover Mark, enjoyed this one very much but I have a question. When's the spinoff series Mark On History starting up? That was a very strong opening to the video.

[@markonmotoring]

Thanks Jake. You know the idea for the opener came to me about five minutes before filming commenced. 😅 It was a bit of a gamble though as I didn't want people expecting to hear a howling V6 thinking they had clicked on the wrong video. ,😂😂😂 It seemed right for the story of modern River though with the similarities if once thriving British industries.

[@SmashingPistons]

How much more freedom do you find having a camera person gives you? I find a LOT of time is wasted setting up shots and checking framing.

[@markonmotoring]

I don't always have a camera person but it certainly helps when doing car reviews for the drive by shots. It's still time consuming though having to drop off and pick up.at various locations. When I do the events I use the static camera man (tripod). He's less flexible but never complains, Never answers back or needs feeding. 🤣

[@SmashingPistons]

@@markonmotoring lol. I'm great at taking all the gear to shows, then not being bothered to set it up. 😂

[@markonmotoring]

@@SmashingPistons I know the feeling. 😂😂😂