Rover

Rover Company - British carmaker. As of 2010, the brand Rover owned Chinese company SAIC, cars under this brand is not available.

Rover Company was founded in 1887 by John Kemp Starla and William Sutton. The company began its activities with the production of bicycles. The first bicycle brand Rover appeared in 1884, and in 1886 was first patented the first so-called "Safe Bike Starla," a patent owned by John Kemp Starla. The main feature of this bike was the presence of a drive to the rear wheel, which was set in motion by means of pedals and chains, while the earlier models had the bike a little behind and a huge front wheel, on which were the so-called pedal. Pennyfarthing.

The first car brand Rover appeared in 1889 and was a crew with a simple vosmisilnym engine. Promotion of the company in the automobile market began after the death of Starla in 1901 and is primarily associated with the arrival of the company Gary Smith, who in 1904, involves the company in the automotive business. The first series of cars Rover was released in 1904. Cars in this series represented a two-seater with the engine capacity of only 8 horsepower, water-cooled. But we can not be considered a comfortable car, as it almost did not have rear suspension: rear axle attached directly to the frame.

In 1905 Rover launches new type of car - it Rover6. The model had rear springs and the same as the previous model engine. However, the volume of the engine was smaller, just 0.8 liters. Also in 1905, new four-car model: 16/2016/20 and 10/12, which had a lever that allows the driver to turn the camshaft. Rover6 produced over 7 years until 1913.

Release of the new Rover model due primarily to the arrival in the company of Owen Clegg (1910), which is released for sale a 12-strong model of the Rover 12 with a 4-cylinder engine of 2.3 liters. The peculiarity of this model was equipped with the engine oil pump. It was the first such engine company. Also, the model is equipped with electric lights. The model was produced until 1914.

During the First World War, Clegg moved on a conveyor assembly of cars, instead of the manual, which was practiced before. As well as the priority of the company was the production of military equipment, they were basically powerful motorcycles to the British and Russian armies-ton trucks and ambulances.

After the war, the company released an updated version of the Rover 12 Rover 14 with an index other than the new head unit and more powerful. Due to the difficult economic situation in post-war by consumers was proposed efficient car Rover 2 liter 8-cylinder engine rated at 8 hp, chase cars to nearly 60 km / h Low cost of attracting customers and for six years, the company had produced about 17,000 cars.

In 1924 he published a new model of Rover 9/20, but it was not a success, as both the design and characteristics of the car has long been in need of updating.

With this purpose, the company invited by the Norwegian designer Peter Poppe, who is developing a new model of the Rover 14/45. The Norwegian developed previously no one scheme is applied the structure of the engine. The car was used verhnevalny engine with hemispherical combustion chamber. However, in practice, turned the car too heavy, greedy, had problems with the camshaft and oil leaks. Therefore, in the 1925 model was replaced by a new car with an index of 16/50, which had a 2.4-liter engine.

In 1928, Peter Poppe has developed six-cylinder engine, a model called Rover 16 hp Light Six.

In 1932 there Rover 14 Speed, which developed a speed of 130 km / h It is this model, the company is obliged to obtain Rover's reputation as a company that produces fast and elegant cars: car leather interior is decorated with inlays of polished veneer and rich decorative trim.

Since the beginning of World War II, the newly reoriented komapniya Rover for the production of military equipment, now they were engines and aluminum wings for aircraft and power plants for the British Army, as well as jet turbines for the British fighter Gloster.

After the war, in the difficult economic environment the company's management decided to release vehicles for export. So a series of Left Hand Drive models P2. However, the interior of the car company has remained true to itself: the body of P2 was a steel body panels fixed to the frame of ash, leather interior is decorated with inlays of wood. In 1946 it was sold abroad, 50% of the cars, and in 1947 - 75%. In the same 1947 in the cabin there is a place in the radio, heater is installed. But the car seemed old-fashioned and therefore the 1947 release of this model is discontinued.

After that, the company decides to rely on middle-class consumers, in connection with which there is a new model of car - P3. She gets a full metal body, independent front suspension and hydro-mechanical drive front brakes. Produced two versions of models that differ in engine power: Rover 60 and Rover 75 power of 60 hp and 75, respectively. Model P3 released until the end of 1949.

In 1949 Rover P4 was the leader of the European automotive industry, as the basis for the model was taken by the American Studebaker Champion, hood and fenders which were a single entity. Rejecting the familiar grille, designers Rover P4 heatsink on the left third lamp, causing Rover 75 earned the nickname "Cyclops." However, it soon became clear that the headlamp impairs motor cooling, and by 1952 it was abandoned. In 1950, the model appears hydraulic brake system.

In 1956 there Roverdrive (P4 105R), which was the first in the history of the firm model with automatic transmission.

Rover P4 was produced until 1964, during this period were produced 130,342 vehicles.

Rover P5 appeared in 1958. By design was similar to the Jaguar marque cars of that time: the car has a wider, lower and more gentle contours of the body. Model designer was David Bach. The car had independent front torsion bar suspension and rear leaf dependent, resulting in the good handling car.

In 1962, the debut version of P5 Coupe. The car had a lower roof, tachometer and oil pressure switch. In 1963 the engine power is increased to 134 horsepower.

Rover P6 appeared in 1963. The car was carrying a box, disc brakes and four-cylinder engine that accelerates the car to 100 km / h in 14 seconds.

In 1976 there Rover SD1, which replaced the Rover P5 and the Rover P6. This model (hatchback) in 1977 won the title of "Car of the Year" in Europe.

In 1984 appeared a compact front wheel drive Rover 200, it was created in partnership with Honda. The basis of the model was used Honda Civic. In 1986, again in conjunction with the Honda sedan was launched Rover 800, which combines features of both Rover (2-liter Rover), and from the Honda (engine V6).

In 1989 Rover 200 has been updated and given a new K-series engine, and started production of Rover 400, which is the development of the 200 series.

A consequence of the fact that in 1994, Rover was bought by BMW, was completely redesigned range Rover. Thus, new models were released 200-and 400-series. In late 1998 the world was brought Rover 75.