ROVER'S 400 Series provides the company's representation in the 'bread and butter' sector of the market - the 'big numbers' sector where huge sales and big cash flows determines the strength of the manufacturer.

But there's nothing ordinary about the cars and most models have ABS and air conditioning as standard.

The actual specifications and also the prices of the saloons and hatchbacks were equalised last year.

The four doors are available with 1.6 and 2.0 litre petrol and 2.0 litre diesel engines, the 1.4 unit in the hatchback range having been missed out.

A relatively new model is the 420Di Turbo and this is also available in both configurations.

The elegant interior of the Rover 400 saloon incorporates high quality materials, dual hardness seat foams that are exceptionally comfortable and an ergonomically designed control layout that helps to create a warm, inviting environment.

Anyone with back problems would surely appreciate the seating position that can be achieved.

Also in sybaritic vein, noise suppression has obviously been given comprehensive attention.

There's an extensive use of wood veneer and stainless steel tread strips that leave you in no doubt this is a Rover.

Importantly also, there's plenty of room for adults feet, legs, knees and heads.

A larger than average glass area and the low-waisted style combine to provide good all-round vision.

The fuel injected K Series 1.6 litre engine in the 400 generates 110 horsepower.

That can be turned into a top speed of 118mph where it is permitted and 60 from a standing start can be attained in just 10 seconds under perfect conditions.

Such performance is matched by economy (you can expect mid 30s mpg) and the car's smoothness in the worst road conditions is provided by suspension incorporating double wishbones at the front, a multi-link arrangement at the rear - gas-filled dampers and an anti-roll bar.

Power steering provides precisely the right response, and the wheel itself is height adjustable. All those figures show that output - and in turn overall performance - comfortably exceed competitors engines of comparable capacity and in many cases match the larger capacity engines used by other manufacturers.

Vehicles in this class are not normally noted for heroic cornering ability yet the cars ride comfort and handling characteristics are also more typical of larger and more expensive models.

The T-Series 2.0, another of Rover's outstanding power units of recent years, has recently been modified to meet the current emission regulations but the power output remained the same at 135 horsepower.

The most modern 400 engine is the remarkably smooth L Series 2.0 litre turbocharged unit that came in with the 600 Series three years ago.

In 400 it is available in two versions, a mechanically controlled direct injection unit developing 85 horsepower and an electronically controlled and intercooled unit producing 104 horsepower.

Feature changes at last year's revision included the adoption of new door casings and seat trim on Si and SD with the i and D models now featuring Kashmir trim with plain door casings.

The 420GSi and GSDi each have a six disc CD autochanger as standard and a new style leather trim set stitched in a traditional fluted style, already standard on these models, is optional elsewhere.

Rover 400s now include front seatbelt pre-tensioners, headlamp levelling and electric door mirrors.

Lumbar support and seat height adjustment is standard from Si models upwards.

The four door models have a boot capacity of 17 cubic feet and versatility is promoted by a 60/40 split fold rear seat.

For more details contact Windsors Wallasey on 639 6181 orWindsors Heswall 342 6418.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.