The 400 didn’t sold well, even in home market UK. The biggest mistake was generally regarded as wrong market positioning. The British management over-estimated the perceived value of Rover brand and tried to position the Golf-size Rover against Mondeo-size rivals. Despite of luxurious wood-and-leather trim, the uphill battle was proved to be a failure. Now the new 45 is positioned back to the class it should have been, targeting right the family hatches including Golf, Focus and Astra.  

What did Rover’s engineers did to improve the car ? 

• Engine: the all-aluminium K-series four-pots remain unchanged except minor tuning. Rover 75’s 150hp 2-litre KV6 is adopted in place of the T-series 2-litre.
• Styling: to provide family resemblance with 75, the front end is completely restyled - big grilles and 4 circular headlamps are used. The bonnet is raised to make room for the V6.
• Interior: 75-style seats are used. Trimming is revised. Instrument panel remains unchanged. 
• Chassis: Steering assistance has been revised to give more feel. Suspensions setting becomes tauter and enhance handling. 

As before, the K-series engines are eager and quite smooth, if boomy. Best selling 1.6-litre unit pump out 109 horsepower yet it is quite frugal. Best of all, 45 retains the superb 5-speed manual from 400, which is crisp and smooth to shift. Gear ratios are also well chosen to provide lively performance.  

The problem is the packaging. There’s sufficient cabin space just marginally smaller than Focus (as 2620 mm wheelbase is generous for the class), but the dashboard remains plain and boring. Fit and finish, or plastic quality are well beaten by its main rivals bar Astra.  
 

MG ZS 180

The ZS 180 might not challenge the likes of Honda Civic Type R or the forthcoming Ford Focus RS, or the flyweight Renault Sport Clio 2.0, but the V6 engine has smoothness and beautiful vocal that the aforementioned 4-potters cannot compare with. As always, the KV6 is lightweight and free-revving, so it adds to driving fun without deteriorating handling. Moreover, throttle response is sharpened by revising ECU. Similarly, the close-ratio 5-speed gearbox couples perfectly with the engine and provides short-throw gearshift to satisfy keen drivers. 

On the contrary to many expectation, the chassis upgrade has transformed the car dramatically. Although the basis is still the previous generation (1995) Civic, MG has revised the geometry of double wishbones suspensions to increase front castor, hence more self-centering and feedback to steering. Then there is lower ride height, uprated springs and dampers, thicker anti-roll bar, reduced power steering assistance, larger brakes, 17-inch wheels and wider tyres .... all the usual modifications, plus a quicker steering rack to sharpen steering response. As a result, the ZS is surprisingly involving to drive while it rides far more supple than the smaller ZR. It's not the most grippy or the most stable, but all good ingredients work in harmony to deliver the greatest possible fun from the old chassis. A great modification ! 

What a pity, not even Peter Steven's new nose-job and wing-job can hide its age, so is the mildly-decorated interior. It's good to drive, but not too satisfying to own.