Rover Vitesse?

[SLiller]

Just to chuck my two penny worth.
All the Vitesse SD1's were injection, 190bhp standard.
There were around 200 twin plenum versions, very rare, very interesting, holomogation specials. Not many left!. They had special gearboxes, axles and suspension. Dont be fooled by a tarted up Vitesse.
There also was the Vanden Plas EFi which has the same engine as the Vitesse but a comfy suspension etc.
Funny enough Ive got an SD1 sat in the garage, and a twin plenum system sitting in the corner of the garage, waiting to go into that or my TR7?.

Ordinary Vitesse SD1's are very common, usually rusty and cheap, don't spend too much getting one!!.

[v8guinness]

IIRC
Those Twin Plenums were also only the last few months of productionin 1986...
200bhp 800 Vitesse's were only ever an option standard stayed 180bhp, 200bhp version was Vitesse sport...

[kevinday]

v8guinness said: IIRC
Those Twin Plenums were also only the last few months of productionin 1986...
200bhp 800 Vitesse's were only ever an option standard stayed 180bhp, 200bhp version was Vitesse sport...

I don't think you are right there (IIRC). All 2 litre turbo engined Rovers were quoted as having 200 bhp (197 or so) and the later 800 Vitesse was a 2 litre turbo. The original was the 2.7 with around 180bhp.

[roop]

My old man had one - dunno if C630HOA is still out there but it was a twin-plenum SD1 Vitesse (you can spot them as they have a lower and more vertical front air dam). We took it to John Eales in Coventry who fettled it to give more poke. Still remember taking on and pummeling a Porsche 928 in that thing. Heh heh.

v8guinness said: IIRC
Those Twin Plenums were also only the last few months of production in 1986...

[v8guinness]

1st 800 Vitesse's had the Honda V6, after the facelift (91-2?) they got 180bhp version of Turbo, later on Vitesse Sport option of 197bhp version of the engine as fitted to 200/400/600... think this came in around but probably just before the KV6 made its appearance...
This is from memory and can be backed up with old brochures (if I'm right)... below is an interesting site which hopefully agrees... great site for anoracks everywhere...
http://austinrover.mg-rover.org/

Edited to add, that link doesn't agree with me, but there is a gap... pretty sure 800 Turbo engine was 180bhp version for years... ah well.


>> Edited by v8guinness on Friday 24th January 17:11

[wedg1e]

Right... so when was the V8 last fitted into a Rover saloon? I saw my mate again last night and he reckons the car is a heap on a J plate ('91/2?). I thought the V8 was Landie/ Rangey only by then.... and if so this Vitesse cannot be a V8, though he maintains that it is.

Ian

[andymadmak]

v8guinness said
pretty sure 800 Turbo engine was 180bhp version for years... ah well.

---

Yup, you are correct. I've owned both. The facelift was 92, and those cars had 180bhp. The engine was detuned from the 197bhp cos the gearbox/diff unit couldn't cope with the torque/weight combo with the large 800 body.
The 200bhp Vitesse sport cars came in in 94. They had 17 inch rims, torsen diffs, lower, stiff suspension with gas shocks!
Originally the "sport" package was an option. There was also a Lux pack option that was full leather + aircon. (although most cars had the aircon anyway)
You could even get a Rover 800 Vitesse turbo sport lux - now thats a mouthfull for a car name!!!!

Last of the V8 SD1 cars was produced in 86, but some lingered in showrooms and dealer lots for a couple of years after that! I've even seen one registered on a J plate (91!)
Andy 400se