Hot on the heels of the MG EX-E, the Rover CCV (Coupe Concept Vehicle) made its debut at the Geneva motor show of 1986. Unlike the MG, which there was no intention of putting into production, the Rover CCV acted as a toe-in-the-water exercise to preview the styling of the Rover 800 and sound out potential buyers of the coupe version. As it was, the CCV was an extremely handsome car, and it adopted the running theme in all Austin Rover projects of the time - slim headlights that bracketed a slit-like grille. The interior was also mocked-up for his prototype and boasted solid-state instrumentation and a dashboard-mounted CD player (very novel back in 1986).
The styling was credited to Roy Axe and was judged an unqualified success. Many US dealers took on Sterling franchises on the strength of the CCV - and it proves a bitter disappointment that it never actually became a production reality. The company investigated the concept seriously, but a lack of commitment to it by the management backed up by disappointing sales of the Sterling in the USA meant that it was continually put back. This concept was presented at the Turin Motor Show.
Engine & performance:
Type: Rover 800
Capacity: 2493 cc
Power: 165 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 210 Nm @ 4500 rpm
Dimensions:
Length: 4700 mm
Width: 1775 mm
Height: 1500 mm
Wheelbase: 2760 mm
Weight: 1120 kg
Source: Keith Adams, www.austin-rover.co.uk
Images: Concept Car Central
