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Rover RDX60 uncovered (2006)
By
Keith Adams
Spy shots
21 November 2006 09:00
Rover RDX60: the lowdown
The car charged with saving MG Rover has been uncovered deep within Longbridge. Codenamed RDX60, this is an early model of the five-seat hatchback designed to replace the Rover 45, and do battle with the Focus and Golf. Languishing in the corner of Longbridge's flight shed, the aero test model now looks dusty and unloved, but this top-secret prototype once formed the centrepiece of MG Rover's future model plans – and with it, the prosperity of the ailing carmaker. Based on the Rover 75 platform, the Golf rival was co-developed with consultants TWR in Worthing. Underneath the ungainly bodyshell, which dates back to 2002, beats the heart of a Rover 75. MG Rover originally planned to get the car into production in 2004, but delays and a lack of cash eventually meant RDX60 was stillborn.
Managers at war
One look at this styling buck and you're probably thankful that the RDX60 never saw the light of day. This model has heavily chiselled flanks, and a bulky, truck-like front. While practicality may have been impressive, it was far from good-looking. Rover sources claim that MG Rover boss Kevin Howe over-ruled design chief Peter Stevens, who designed the McLaren F1, urging him to develop this theme. 'Howe chose the final design over some much more stylish options,' said an RDX60 engineer, adding: 'When styling departments present their design themes to the directors, they usually already know which one they want, and present a couple of lame ducks as alternatives. To me, it looked like Howe had gone for the lame duck.'
