RE: Rover 200 BRM: Reader's Car of the Week
Discussion
I remember these well and had the 1996 Autocar road test vs Alfa 145 and Escort RS2000. I'm pretty sure at that point in time the 200vi was the fastest hot hatch you could buy. If memory serves me correctly this was just before the 306GTI was launched and just after the last batch of Clio Williams had sold out. I may be wrong however!
The 200vi was quicker I think, than the MGF with the same engine which always puzzled me.
The 200vi was quicker I think, than the MGF with the same engine which always puzzled me.
greenarrow said:
I remember these well and had the 1996 Autocar road test vs Alfa 145 and Escort RS2000. I'm pretty sure at that point in time the 200vi was the fastest hot hatch you could buy. If memory serves me correctly this was just before the 306GTI was launched and just after the last batch of Clio Williams had sold out. I may be wrong however!
The 200vi was quicker I think, than the MGF with the same engine which always puzzled me.
Yes, I don’t think there was anything much quicker at that time - Golf VR6 acceleration by virtue of being lightThe 200vi was quicker I think, than the MGF with the same engine which always puzzled me.
Still pretty rapid these days - a Polo Bluemotion GT 150 TFsi only just managed the same times with a quick shifting DSG box
Any chance you could post the rest of that article?
I've looked before and failed to find it.
Interesting that the flexibility of the VVC engine really shows in the acceleration figures. I've yet to drive a N/A FWD that pulls as well as the VVC did from low rpm. Never tried a Clio 182 though..
I've looked before and failed to find it.
Interesting that the flexibility of the VVC engine really shows in the acceleration figures. I've yet to drive a N/A FWD that pulls as well as the VVC did from low rpm. Never tried a Clio 182 though..
itcaptainslow said:
Autocar haven’t got a clue about the gearchange-it’s lovely! Really slick, accurate and fast if you want it to be-it’s not far behind the Puma I had, which is up there for most heavenly gearshift ever.
Agreed - It's a PG1 transaxle, as was used in many similar MG-Rover products of the era. In the TF it was renowned as a very slick, satisfying gearchange (which I can vouch for). I'll give Autocar the benefit of the doubt that their's might have been a pre-production model with badly-adjusted cables. donkmeister said:
itcaptainslow said:
Autocar haven’t got a clue about the gearchange-it’s lovely! Really slick, accurate and fast if you want it to be-it’s not far behind the Puma I had, which is up there for most heavenly gearshift ever.
Agreed - It's a PG1 transaxle, as was used in many similar MG-Rover products of the era. In the TF it was renowned as a very slick, satisfying gearchange (which I can vouch for). I'll give Autocar the benefit of the doubt that their's might have been a pre-production model with badly-adjusted cables. Apparently the air recirculation control is also a button, not a sliding switch. Typical lazy journalism...
I agree on one aspect though-the steering rack could have been faster, which was remedied with the ZR. Unfortunately fitting a ZR rack is a pain in the arse-it’s not a straight swap.
bobo79 said:
What was the relationship with BRM? Obviously it’s a homage to the ale Mans entry from the 60s but presumably it was an official license they acquired?
The Rover BRM did get publicity for its Le Mans presence , primarily because it was powered by gas turbine. But although it had the trademark dark green usually known as BRG it lacked the orange nose . That appeared in the mid 60s on BRM F1 cars , before they got sponsorship from Yardley smellies and then Marlboro fags - and it looked sensational . So good that I had my last Caterham Seven painted in that livery as an homage . Mike Spence, the BRM driver who died at Indy in '68 , sold Lotus Elan BRMs from his dealership with the trademark green /orange livery and some engine modification - can't recall if the oily bits were actually done by BRM.
I'll get me anorak ...
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