Rover 213/216: The rivals


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Rover 213/216: the rivals
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Although the Rover 213/216 range was a straightforward replacement for the Triumph Acclaim, it was big news in marketing terms - the Rover marque would be taken into uncharted territories and that was something of a risk.

The lightly remodelled Honda Ballade with the option of the British S-Series engine in 1.6-litre form was the vehicle for this downward expansion - and the result was a plushly appointed small saloon. But was it up to the challenge posed by its European and Japanese rivals?

Small, perfectly formed?

Audi 80 B2: 1978-1986 Longer than the class norm thanks to its longitudinal engine, the Audi 80 was a light and efficient package. Tidy dynamics and eager performance were the 80's hallmarks, but high prices in the UK were always a handicap. Volkswagen power units were shared with the Golf and Passat, but very little else was - a lesson on how not to platform share. Survival rate is above average thanks to good rust resistance.
BMW 3-Series (316i): 1984-1991 No, we're not joking. Once the 216 Vanden Plas EFi and Vitesse versions had hit the market in 1987, Rover found itself going head to head with the BMW 316i in the compact executive car market. The E30 generation of 3-Series cemented BMW as the market leader, and although it was cramped and not that quick in four-cylinder form, the halo effect of the posher versions ensured the car's continued success.
Fiat Regata: 1984-1990 Marketed by Fiat as much more than a Strada-with-a-boot, but the reality was the Regata was actually rather less. As was the way in the early Eighties, the Strada lost its striking looks when it transformed into a three-box saloon. The Fiat Regata's main claim to fame was that it pipped the Montego by a matter of weeks to become Europe's first direct injection diesel car in 1988. Forgotten today, rarer than hen's teeth.
Ford Orion: 1983-1990 In the lead up to the Ford Orion's launch, many people in the media portrayed it as a potential latter-day Cortina, on account of its conservative looks and traditional three-box style - a million miles away from the 1982's Sierra. On the marketplace, the Orion proved a steady seller, and the prices were higher than the Escort, on account of a posher model mix. ARG used the Orion as a benchmark during 213 development.
Lancia Prisma: 1983-1990 Another saloon-from-hatch conversion, and one that didn't set the market alight in the UK. However, the Prisma was a classy saloon, and throughout its life proved good to drive and interesting enough in the engine department to avoid latter-day mediocrity. However, it was overshadowed significantly by the Delta. Closest of the group in terms of image and equipment to the vaguely premium Rover 213/216.
Peugeot 305: 1977-1988 France's best mid-sized saloon during the early Eighties, the 305 was a typical example of Peugeot's ability to produce a well-emgineered and comfortable family saloon. Long wheelbase guaranteed room and poise, and an impressive range of engines delivered performance and refinement. Estate version was especially capacious, and the later injected GTX models were fast, understated workhorses. Impressive.
Renault 9: 1981-1988 This bland and cynical attempt by Renault to produce a mid-sized saloon to fight the Japanese might be forgettable today, but impressed enough European motoring journalists to bag the 1982 Car of The Year award. In truth, that's more a reflection of how quiet a year 1981 was for new car launches - and today, you'd be hard pushed to find any left. Turbos were fast and fun - and Monotrace seats were clever...
Vauxhall Belmont: 1984-1991 General Motors' Orion competitor was another one of those cars that was more impressive on paper than it was on the road. Six-light styling and new front bumper differentiated it from the Astra it was based on, but not enough to convince buyers to take it to their hearts. Overtly aerodynamic styling was brave in the light of the reception given the Ford Sierra, but it opened a new era of slippery styling for General Motors.
Volkswagen Jetta Mk2: 1984-1991 Arguably, Vokswagen created the hatch-from-saloon market with the original Jetta in 1979, so the well resolved styling of its 1984 replacement shouldn't come as a surprise. Just like the Golf, it came in a myriad of engine and trim options, including the impressive 139bhp 1.8-litre 16V engine. Well-built and reliable, the Jetta sold reasonably well in mainland Europe, but didn't take off the in UK - we love Golfs.
Volvo 360: 1982-1991 Volvo's 300-Series proved one of the UK's unlikeliest sales hits of the Eighties, as buyers found themselves magnetically attracted to the rugged small Volvo's combination of perceived safety and low prices. Rear wheel drive live-axled chassis was hardly cutting edge, but 1.7- and 2-litre Renault engines delivered adequate performance - and for most buyers, that was enough. 360 saloon a minor seller in the range.

Verdict

FEW within Austin-Rover would have predicted the sales success of the Rover 213/216 - especially considering how unpopular small saloons tended to be with UK buyers in the Eighties, but after a faltering start it went on to become a staple product in the range, partially responsible for the death of the Austin marque name.

Looking at the Rover's rivals it's easy to understand why these cars failed to sell in big numbers - blandness was the order of the day.

The cars that stand out in this pack - the BMW 3-Series and Peugeot 305 were both purpose-built as saloons and had no hatchbacked brethren to sully their bloodline. Cars such as the Orion, Belmont and Renault 9 have all but disappeared off the roads today, and it would seem the Rover 213 and 216 are suffering the same fate, even though there was no equivalent Austin-Rover hatchback to steal sales from.

So, which of this group would you buy today, given the choice? For us, the Rover does extremely well here, because there's so much attention to detail gone into the choice of interior fabrics and equipment that you really do feel that it's a cut above the more mundane Fords and Vauxhalls of the world. It was a perceived advantge, truth be told, but was enough to convince many a buyer that they were buying into something special.

It's hard not to be tempted by the Lancia Prisma, thanks to its lively twin-cam engines and plush interior, the Peugeot 305, because of its masterful chassis and understated styling, and - yes - the BMW 3-Series, as a good one still has a quality feel today.

But given the niceties you get in a Rover 216 Vanden Plas EFi - leather and wood - it's a very compelling package. Especially today's prices. Yes, it has a choppy ride and a gruff engine - and is cramped inside, but we still like these cars.

Good luck finding one...

With help from Mark Mastrototaro

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