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Rover is top dog

GAVIN Martin, the sales manager of Charles Hurst's Rover division, has no doubt about where the new Rover 200 series stands - at the top.

"It's the most successful Rover launched yet," he said in the firm's Boucher Road showroom in Belfast yesterday.

"We 're selling more than we can get hold of, and we 're finding that it's attracting not only loyal Rover fans, but drivers who had always bought Toyota and Vauxhall before.

"I 'd say sales of the 200 represent half of all our rover sales at the moment."

Prices for the series range from £ 10,600 for the 214i three-door to £ 14,500 for the top of the range 216Sli, with two diesels on offer.

And in March or early April Hursts will have their hands on the 200 series sports version, the VVC. Rover's keeping this one carefully under wraps, with no price or performance figures yet available.

The Rover 400 series four-door saloon, meanwhile, has also been selling very well since its launch last year.

The 400 and 200 marked the completion of a range of cars which play a key role in strengthening Rover's presence in the medium sector of the market.

The five-door version of the new Rover 400 has already been recognised for bringing outstanding levels of driving environment, ride comfort, handling and prestige into the medium sector.

However, it is the new saloon that represents the 400 Series in its definitive form. Sales are predicted to split 50:50 between the two body styles.

The four-door configuration allows the most complete execution of the elegant 400 design. A rounded and distinctive style at the rear establishes an even more powerful road presence than the five-door and reflects the strengths of Rover's traditional styling heritage. The large boot, opening down to bumper level, provides easy access and an impressive storage space of 17 cubic feet.

The new rover 400 Series saloon is available in 1.6 and 2.0 litre petrol and 2.0 litre diesel forms with prices ranging from £ 13,695 for the 416i to £ 17.195 for the fully specified, high performance 420SDi.
