The Rover R8 platform was an automobile platform used for the Mark I Rover 200 Series and the Mark II 200 and 400 Series, compact family cars produced by the Austin Rover Group, and later the Rover Group.
The original Rover 200 Series dates back to 1984 with the launch of the SD3 213 and 216 saloons. The second generation was split into two distinct models: the 200 Series three- and five-door hatchbacks, coupé and convertible and 400 Series saloon and estate.
The coupé, convertible and estate models continued after the demise of the hatchback and saloon models, without the 200 or 400 nomenclature, until 1999 as the successor model did not have these particular body styles. They were discontinued with the arrival of the Rover 25 and Rover 45, which were simple facelifts of the current range and not all-new models.
Rover 200 Mark I (1984–1989)
The original Rover 200 (sometimes referred to by the codename SD3) was the replacement for the earlier Triumph Acclaim, and was the second product of the alliance between British Leyland (BL) and Honda. Only available as a four-door saloon, the 200 series was intended to be more upmarket than the company's Maestro and Montego models, which the 200 Series came in between in terms of size.
Essentially, the 200 series was a British built Honda Ballade, the original design of which had been collaborated upon by both companies. Engines employed were either the Honda Civic derived E series 'EV2' 1.3 litre 12 valve engine, or BL's own S-Series engine in 1.6 litre format (both in carburettor and Lucas EFi form). The resulting cars were badged as either "Rover 213" or "Rover 216".
The 213 used either a Honda five-speed manual gearbox or a Honda three-speed automatic transmission. The British engined 216 also employed a Honda five-speed manual gearbox, unlike the S-Series engine when fitted in the Maestro and Montego. There was also the option of a German ZF four-speed automatic on some 216 models as well.
The Honda badged version was the first Honda car to be built in the United Kingdom (the Honda equivalent of the 200 Series' predecessor, the Triumph Acclaim, was never sold in the UK). Ballade bodyshells, and later complete cars, were made in the Longbridge plant alongside the Rover equivalent, with the Ballade models then going to Honda's new Swindon plant for quality control checks.
This original incarnation of the 200 series was only offered in saloon form. It competed against the likes of the Ford Orion, Vauxhall Belmont, Volkswagen Jetta, Fiat Regata, Volvo 360 and even BMW's 3 Series and the Mercedes-Benz 190. Even as late as the 1980s, small family saloons were still popular in spite of the growing monopoly of hatchbacks in this sector.
This model of car is well known as Richard and Hyacinth Bucket's car in the BBC Television sitcom Keeping up Appearances (1990–1995). Early episodes show a light blue 1987 216S, but later episodes feature a 1989 216SE EFi model (re-badged for continuity as a 216S, and with the same numberplate).
Trim levels (as of July 1989) were:
X = Unavailable
✓ = Available
O = Optional
Rover 200 Mark II and Rover 400 Mark I (1989–1995)
This model, codenamed R8, was the first car to be introduced by the newly privatised Rover Group, and was a quantum leap in terms of technology and image placing it as class leader. Once again, the model was designed in collaboration with Honda (who produced the new designed-for-Europe Concerto model) and both models would share production lines at Rover's Longbridge facility. Initially only available as a five-door hatchback, this was the first application of Rover's ground breaking K-Series family of engines (appearing in 1.4 L (1396 cc) twin-cam 16-valve form).
The 1.6 L (1590 cc) version used either a Honda D16A6 SOHC or D16A8 DOHC powerplant, while the 2.0 L M-Series unit from the 800-series followed soon afterwards (1991) in the sportier versions. Later versions used the sturdier Rover T-Series engine, with limited-run turbocharged Rover 220s in GTi and GSi-Turbo trims, boast a very rapid power output of as standard. The Rover-engined models drove the front wheels via jointly developed Peugeot/Rover R65 gearboxes (1.4 litre) and licence built Honda-designed PG1s for the 1.6 and 2.0 litre versions.
Also available were two PSA diesel engines, with the choice of naturally-aspirated 1.9 litre XUD9 or turbo-charged 1.8 XUD7T engines. These were installed instead of the Perkins Prima used in the Austin Maestro and Montego because that engine with its noisy combustion was deemed too unrefined for the new 200.