Rover Streetwise
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| Rover Streetwise | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Rover |
| Production | 2003–2005 |
| Successor | Roewe 250 |
| Class | hatchback |
| Body style | 3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback |
| Related | Rover 25 Rover 200 |
| Similar | Ford Fusion Citroen C3 XTR Renault Kangoo Trekka |
The Rover Streetwise was a small car made by Rover. It was based on the Rover 25, but had an increased ride height and chunkier bumpers. The car was marketed by Rover as an "on-roader".
As of April 2005 it is no longer in production as with all other cars made by Rover.
Contents |
[edit] History
The Rover Streetwise was an attempt by Rover to appeal to a younger client. Rover had modernised the existing models back in 1999 with a facelift for the 25, 45 & the newly Rover designed 75 models but Rover was facing falling sales, and a tarnished brand, after the selling off of Rover to the Phoenix consortium in 2000. Although new models were in the pipeline, the current designs (namely the 25 & 45) would be 15 years old before the new models were launched. Phoenix had the rights to the MG Brand, and had marketed the ZR, ZS & ZT, with reasonable success, restyling the bumpers on the existing 25, 45 & 75 models, and tweaked suspension, as well as tuning to the K-Series engine.
[edit] Into a new market
With the MG brand proving popular, MG Rover Group turned their attention to the Rover brand. The Rover badged cars had a rather staid image and were commonly associated with elderly motorists, and this was an image that MG Rover wanted to lose. To avoid costly mistakes, MG Rover decided to tinker in a market niche, and chose the ‘Urban on-roader’ look, similar to the Audi Allroad, Volvo XC70 & Renault Scenic RX4. The Rover Streetwise was the first "urban" supermini of it's kind, and soon after other companys copied the british idea, with models such as the Citroen C3 XTR & the VW Dune (Based on the Polo). It would seem however that rover got the most sales out of this genere, which could be due to the fact that the rover 25 it was based on still looked surprisingly modern and sporty for its day.
[edit] Design
The tough looking Streetwise was designed as a 2 wheel drive urban car with 4x4 looks. The streetwise had a higher ride height than the basic 25, and although it shared many of the common characteristics of the 25, it was visually different with large impact absorbing chunky grey or black plastic bumpers. Unlike the rest of the Rover and MG range, the Streetwise bumpers were not colour coded. The front indicator and fog lights were redesigned to compliment the circular headlamps, and most models came with chunky 16-inch wheels as standard. To extend the load space, the Streetwise was fitted with multi-purpose roof bars, which also served to distinguish the Streetwise from ZR & 25.
[edit] Options
The Streetwise offered a choice of sporty interiors, available in 4 or 5 seats (optional). The standard 4 seats had two separate rear seats and a separating centre console, and were half leather body-hugging seats. All models came with standard front electric windows, driver's airbag, PAS, and ABS. The S & SE Models came with leather steering wheel, gear knob and air conditioning. The electric window switch had been relocated next to the handbrake on the three-door model, with new-style rocker switch, in a circular design with chrome effect plastic in the middle. Other subtle changes included a riveted chrome effect plastic loop round the base of the gear lever, and a restyled blue dash dials. All Streetwises came with trafficmaster, an early warning device to warn the drivers of congested routes, and CD player as standard. The Streetwise also came with Rear Parking sensors, as an option or as standard on higher models.
[edit] Streetwise engines
The Streetwise engines were available as 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 stepspeed (Automatic), and a 2.0 TD. The 1.6 & 1.8 were less common.
[edit] The end of production
The Streetwise ceased production in April 2005, when Rover ceased trading and went into administration.
[edit] References
- The Unofficial Austin Rover Website (Under MG ZR Development Story)
- MG Rover Group Website
