5-door 5-seater hatchback saloon.

Except for familiar engine, an all-new mid-seventies Rover corporate design, using brand new assembly building at Solihull. Sleek fastback styling (admitted to be inspired by the Ferrari Daytona), new five-speed gearbox, but live rear axle and rear drum brakes. Power-steering standard, however, and - with 155bhp at first - 125mph plus top speed. The first of many SD1 (Specialist Division No.1) derivatives, this spawned the 190bhp Vitesse in 1982, but assembly moved from Solihull to Cowley before this.