Rover CityRover
A badge-engineered attempt to save MG Rover through a partnership with India's Tata Motors.
- Power
- 85 bhp
- 0–60 mph
- 11.9 s
- Top speed
- 99 mph
About the Rover CityRover
The CityRover was a rebadged Tata Indica, imported from India and modified with revised suspension and styling to suit the UK market. Launched during MG Rover's final years, it was intended to provide a low-cost entry point to the range but was widely criticised for its poor build quality and high list price compared to more modern rivals. Despite the Peugeot-derived engine providing reasonable performance, the interior plastics and refinement lagged significantly behind the competition. Today, it is a rare sight on UK roads, often remembered as a symbol of the company's desperate search for a partner before its 2005 collapse.
Rover CityRover specs
The Rover CityRover produces 85 bhp (63 kW) and 120 Nm (89 lb-ft) of torque. It reaches 60 mph in 11.9 seconds and has a top speed of 99 mph (160 km/h).
| Make | Rover |
|---|---|
| Model | CityRover |
| Trim | 1.4 |
| Years | 2003–2005 |
| Type | Hatchback |
| Body style | Hatchback |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Production | About 9,200 built |
| Engine | 1.4-litre inline-four |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,405 cc (1.4 litres) |
| Induction | Naturally aspirated |
| Power | 85 bhp (63 kW) at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 120 Nm (89 lb-ft) |
| Redline | 6,000 rpm |
| 0–60 mph | 11.9 s |
| Top speed | 99 mph (160 km/h) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1,040 kg (2,293 lb) |
| Power-to-weight | 82 bhp per tonne |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
Rover CityRover rarity in CarSpot
The Rover CityRover is a Rare card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 42 out of 100. Performance cars, typically worth around £50,000 to £100,000. A Rare card is worth 40 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
Rover CityRover fun facts
- MG Rover reportedly paid Tata approximately £3,000 per car but attempted to sell them in the UK for nearly £7,000, leading to poor sales.
- The car's 1.4-litre engine was a Peugeot design produced under licence in India.
- Top Gear famously refused to lend MG Rover a car for testing, so James May went undercover to a dealership to test-drive one for the show.