2004 Rover 75 Coupe Concept

Stylish Coupe Shows What Could Be

British carmaker MG-Rover recently celebrated its 100th birthday. The company knows change all too well, having swapped

MG-Rover figured that its 100th birthday was as good as time as any to release a sleek and stylish new concept car. (Photo: MG-Rover)

owners, merged and separated several times over the past few decades. But despite the tumult it has faced, MG-Rover coined the British wood 'n' leather car, and in its subsequent incarnations, went on to create some of the most impressive and innovative vehicles which continue to influence those built today.

On this special occasion, MG-Rover figured that it was the right time to produce a concept, something stylish and sleek yet unmistakably British to complement the company's past achievements. Such a car would have to sit comfortably alongside vehicles such as the Rover P4 and P5 (known also as the 3500), the innovative P6 (Rover 2000) and the unusually bold Ferrari Daytona-esque SD-1 five-door hatchback.

Design director Peter Stevens commented, "The true character of a Rover comes from its ability to present a cosseting

The prototype 75 Coupe was fabricated to production-level standards and crafted with no shortcuts taken. (Photo: MG-Rover)

environment with comfort and refinement as high priorities. Those values should be conveyed in the form and detailing of the car's exterior, and that's what we've tried hard to do."

The 75 Coupe started out life as a regular 75 four-door sedan. Impressively, the prototype was fabricated to production-level standards and was crafted with no shortcuts taken. Its body and frame, like the regular 75, is made entirely of steel. To get the desired shape, Stevens' design team had to alter the structure of the Coupe by lengthening the front doors and installing a longer and more raked roof with a larger rear window.