Tuesday 3rd May 2016

Rover 100 'Talon 100RT': You Know You Want To

A left-field alternative to the usual suspects for some cheap track day fun

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Alright, so this could be a hard sell. Because at the end of the day, this is a Metro, with a K-Series in it, and it's £3,000. To some people, one or perhaps all of those factors will be enough to say "No, I'm fairly sure I don't want to, thanks very much."

Spot the side-exit exhaust!

Bear with, though. Firstly the prospect of a Metro/100 track car is not as daft as it seems, especially given how many are used in MG race series. The K-Series engine issues are well documented but have been addressed in time. And that price looks more than reasonable given the spec.

This little Rover, which must be significantly less than 1,000kg, is pushing out 183hp from its 1.8-litre K-Series. It has been helped to that figure with Jenvey throttle bodies, Piper cams replacing the VVC set up and an Emerald ECU. It also has a side-exit exhaust, which immediately makes any vehicle cooler. As the advert states, and which sounds entirely believable, this is a 'VERY FAST METRO'.

There's more, too. Power goes to the front wheels via a Quaife limited-slip diff and an uprated gearbox, there are adjustable front dampers, Metro GTI brakes and the fully welded six-point cage. Note as well there are three Perspex windows and an aluminium rear diffuser, explaining the side-exit exhaust. Even the bonnet and bootlid are fibreglass to save further weight; it's a proper job!

You could take a passenger, but think of the weight...

The advert is detailed and seemingly honest too, which is good news. For a track and fast road car, it appears to be in decent cosmetic condition; rust will always be a concern as this car is now approaching its 20th birthday, so to only have a very small amount for now bodes well. But then the scabbier it looks, the more surprised people will be when they're overtaken by a Metro...

Of course it won't be for everyone, and it doesn't have the track day kudos of a Renaultsport Clio or an old Peugeot. Certainly you wouldn't want to crash in one of Euro NCAP's lowest rated cars either. But the mega Metro is different, and looks to have been built to a high standard.

That being said, there are still alternatives at this relatively low price point. This Focus is up for £3,500 with a cage already in and a tweaked 2.0-litre engine. You can even get in a track prepared 205 GTI for £2,500, albeit one with an Mi16 engine and that's nearly 10 years older again than the Metro. Or you could spend just £1,500 on a Clio 172 with some track day prep already done...

If you don't want to be like everyone else and get a Clio though, this Rover 100 has a lot going for it. As cheap, fast and interesting track cars go, it certainly stands out. Overtake a bemused M3 driver on a track day and it'll seem like the best £3K you've ever spent!

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ROVER 100 TALON 100 RT
Price: £3,195
Why you should: More than 180hp, less than a tonne, LSD, Perspex windows...
Why you shouldn't: ... In a Metro

See the original advert here.

[V8 FOU]

Yes!
Been watching the Metro cup on the TV and enjoying it.
This has to be a great fun track car - should be very quick too. These handle very well as stock too.