75 Series II

MG ROVER Group in the UK revealed a facelift for the Rover 75 sedan and wagon models in February, ahead of their September ’04 launch in Australia.

The smoother nose contains a bigger grille, the headlights get a new shape (and new projector lenses) and the parking lights are vertically oriented.

The rear bumper was reshaped, as were some of the alloy wheel patterns.

Inside, the 75 Series II boasts re-shaped seats in front and rear, the instruments were redesigned, and there’s new trim.

Mechanically a new, faster steering ratio from the MG ZT was incorporated.

The 130kW/240Nm V6 range began with the Classic model, progressing to the more luxurious Club and topping out with the Connoisseur. All were mated to a five-speed sequential-shift automatic gearbox courtesy of BMW.

In between, and bringing the range up to four variants, there was the rare CDTi, which introduced a four-cylinder BMW turbo-diesel engine and a touch more equipment than the base Classic version (leather seats, trip computer and multi-spoke alloys).

The CDTi’s 96kW might be down on the 2.5-litre V6’s 130kW, but there can be no arguing with 300Nm of torque from a lazy 1900rpm, or its 6.7L/100km fuel average compared to the petrols’ 10.5.

Even less common was the CDTi Tourer wagon, released in February 2005, just months before MG Rover collapsed in April 2005.

The last of the cars were sold in June 2005.