2004 Rover 75 Coupe Concept

Another detail which helps to convey the Coupe's sporty image is its apparently pillarless window frames, but in reality, they

In front, the car bears the new corporate grille from the Rover V8. (Photo: MG-Rover)

prove to deceive. It's hard to tell with the Coupe's dark-tinted windows, but the prototype features standard B-pillars borrowed from 75 sedans. Production-quality door locks and anchors ensure that the 75 Coupe is as structurally sound as its four-door siblings, and is as safe in the event of a side-impact collision.

The one-off Coupe carries a considerable number of off-the-shelf components in order to preserve the 75's natural look. In front, the car bears the new corporate grille from the Rover V8, which, not unlike Audi's new face, stretches down to the lower front fascia, while in back a standard rear bumper and stock 75 trunk lid are also used. With unaltered wheelbase, length or

Like its four door counterpart, the 75 Coupe's body is extremely well balanced to the eye. (Photo: MG-Rover)

width, the 75 Coupe's body is extremely well balanced to the eye.

The 75 Coupe has a ride height that is 20 mm (0.79 in) lower than the 75 Sedan, and rides on a set of chunky five-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in high-performance rubber. It's a sporting touch that, like the chrome exterior accents, speaks subtly of performance and class.

While the Coupe's body is without doubt beautiful, one big question remains: what kind of drivetrain does the concept have, as the Rover 75 chassis can be had in either front- or rear-wheel drive?