With the forthcoming launch of the new CityRover model range, Rover gains an important expansion of its market coverage. CityRover is an attractive modern 'city sector' small car that provides the most competitive value-for-money blend of space, performance and specification available in the £6,500-£8,500 price band. Although compact and easy to drive and park, it has a roomy and user-friendly 'tall' package in a semi-MPV style, with easy access for all ages, from babies in carrycots to mature citizens.

At launch, all CityRover models have a 1.4 litre OHC 85Ps petrol engine and five doors, which compares favourably with the many price rivals that offer smaller engines and only three doors. The new model will be sold through all MG Rover dealers and benefits from the regular three year/60,000 mile warranty and 6 year anti-perforation cover.

Rover's designers and engineers have given CityRover a distinctive modern Rover appearance inside and out. CityRover uses the new-style Rover Viking Ship badge.

Following careful analysis of the key customer profiles in this market area, a range of four derivatives ('Solo', 'Sprite', 'Select' and 'Style') has been developed, with the two mid-range choices respectively emphasising sporting style or luxury. CityRover provides a strong entry-level underpinning to the Longbridge built Rover 25, 45 and 75 model ranges and will significantly strengthen the business activities of Rover and its dealer network.

The 'city car' sector of the overall European small car market accounted for 1.1 million sales in 2002. There is a considerable variety of styles and sizes within this group, which includes cars such as the Peugeot 106/Citroen Saxo twins, Ford Ka, Vauxhall/Opel Agila, VW Lupo and the Fiat Seicento.

CityRover's value-for-money pricing structure will position it against some 90% of the products available in this entry-level sector. In addition, because of its generous space and power, it will be an attractive alternative to small cars in the next category, such as the Renault Clio, Toyota Yaris and Fiat Punto. Since there is minimal overlap with Rover 25 pricing, and a substantial difference in size (nearly 300 mm shorter), the CityRover complements the 25 and emphasises its positioning in the upper quartile of the small car sector.

Analysis of the city car market shows that there are a number of target customer groups who require a budget size car and/or cost, from first time motorists to multi-car families. There are considerable differences in the buyer profiles for existing products in this sector, but a key pointer for the overall class is that a majority of main drivers are female, and there is a fairly even distribution of age bands. Approximately half of the cars in this sector are purchased as second cars in a household and buyers tend to be open-minded with around 60% of purchasers having no loyalty to specific brands.

The key to CityRover's class leading interior space is its long 2400 mm wheelbase and tall build. Getting in and out is easy, with doors opening to 90° and high mounted seating, which also gives a commanding driving position. The rear seats are slightly higher than the front ones to optimise the rear passenger viewpoints; they also feature the classic 60/40 split with jack-knife folding giving a flat load floor and flexible load carrying configurations between 220 litres and 610 litres. Rover-specified interior trim uses a variety of high grade woven or knitted fabrics according to model, and there is a full-leather option for the top 'Style' model.

The lowest-priced 'Solo' model is well equipped, with standard features such as driver's airbag, front seat belt pre-tensioners, radio/cassette with four speakers, clock, lockable glovebox, variable intermittent wipe, rear wash/wipe, tinted glass with shadeband, cigar lighter, load space lamp, courtesy lamp delay, 4-speed heater/ventilation fan with recirculation setting, alloy gearknob, remote releases for tailgate and fuel filler, and many others.

Sporting features of the 'Sprite' model include alloy wheels, leather sports style steering wheel and gearknob, front fog lamps and a rear spoiler. Luxury features on the 'Select' model include front and rear electric windows plus air conditioning as standard. Both 'Sprite' and 'Select' have power steering, remote central locking, a tachometer and a CD/Tuner. All these features are standard on the top model, the 'Style', which also benefits from anti-lock braking and a passenger airbag._Paint choices include two solid colours and eight optional metallic shades.

At launch, all CityRover models will be powered by a 1405cc petrol engine, with an alloy cylinder head, single overhead camshaft and multi-point fuel injection. It develops 85Ps at 5500rpm, and a solid 115Nm of torque at 3000rpm. There is a five-speed manual transmission. Rover engineers have tuned the chassis, which has all-independent coil sprung suspension (McPherson strut front, semi-trailing arms at the rear), specifying larger 14 inch by 5J wheels and 175/60R 14 tyres, a lower ride height and revised damper and spring rates to give a good ride and handling balance. Steering is by rack and pinion, with power assistance standard on Sprite, Select and Style models, optional on Solo versions. Powerful servo-assisted braking is via 231mm diameter ventilated front discs and 200mm diameter rear drums.

Made in England