7 June 2001: Rover's new 75 Tourer will have a starting price of £26,575 when it comes available in Ireland in September, according to Dave Smith, MD of MG Rover Ireland.

Speaking to Irish journalists last night in Stratford-on-Avon, he outlined a range of estate derivatives of the 75 saloon which will top out at a price of £36,515 for a car which will, he said, 'make an important statement' about the model and the brand.

The announced prices, ex works, represent a £1,200 premium across the 75 range against the saloon versions. Although sales expectations for the 'lifestyle' wagon are only 50 units out of a total of some 500 units of the 75 series forecast to be sold in Ireland next year, it will be important in terms of 'the perception of the quality of the brand', Smith said.

Overall, up to 30% of 75 series sales will be Tourers, Dr Chris Milland, Large Car Platform director of MG Rover, suggested. Earlier he had noted that between 1995 and 2000, sales of 'lifestyle' estates had increased five-fold.

MG Rover operations director Chris Bowen said a decision will be made this summer on the final elements of a new mid-size platform for the company, which will result in a range of new models in 2004.

The launch of a series of MG derivatives of the Rover 75 will tale place in mid-July, and the company is also making a debut in motorsport at Le Mans next month.

Although the company is losing money at the moment, Bowen said it is expected to break even by the end of 2002. He also said that the company didn't need any outside collaboration for the development of its next range of cars, as the programme was already 'fully funded'. BB

More details on the 75 Tourer here.