Unlike the long running ADO series and the politically sensitive LM series, the more recent development codes never seemed to catch the public’s imagination in quite the same way.
| Codename |
Details |
Dates |
Picture |
|---|
| HD9 |
Medium hatchback
Five-door version of the Honda Ballade/Triumph Acclaim – probably a Triumph badged version of the Honda Quintet. A version of HD9 was marketed in Australia as the Rover Quintet. |
Dev: 1981 |
 |
|---|
| HD14 |
Small hatchback
Sub-Metro sized car, probably a version of the .
|
Dev: 1980-1981 |
|
|---|
| HD17 |
Executive car
The initial internal name for the Honda-Rover large car to replace the SD1-based LM15 project. Was renamed XX in 1982.
|
Dev: 1981 |
|
|---|
| XX |
Rover 800
First Honda/Rover collaborative car – became the Rover 800. LWB and CCV versions were developed, but not produced.
|
Dev: 1982-1986
Prod: 1986-1991 |
 |
|---|
| HX |
Honda Legend
Honda version of the XX – became the Honda Legend.
|
Dev: 1982-1985
Prod: 1985-1990 |
 |
|---|
| YY |
Rover 214/216
Early part of the Rover 200 development programme, renamed AR8 in 1986.
|
Dev: 1985-1986 |
|
|---|
| HY |
Honda Concerto
Honda version of YY. |
Dev: 1985-1988 |
 |
|---|
| AR5 |
Rover 213/216 replacement
Scheduled for a 1989 launch, but was cancelled in favour of the Honda based AR8 (see below), which served as a replacement for both the Maestro and Rover 213/216.
|
Dev: 1984-1985 |
|
|---|
| AR6 |
Metro replacement
All new supermini styled by and , incorporating K-Series engine and steel suspension. Abandoned when it became clear that there were not enough company funds to finance its development. Replaced by the R6 (see below).
|
Dev: 1984-1986 |
 |
|---|
| AR7 |
Maestro replacement
Engineered in-house and scheduled for a 1990 launch, this car was cancelled in 1985 in favour of the Honda-based AR8 (see below).
|
Dev: 1984-1985 |
|
|---|
| AR8 |
Rover 214/216
Renamed version of the YY. Renamed R8 in 1988.
|
Dev: 1986-1988 |
|
|---|
| AR9 |
Roverised Montego
Thought to be a rebodied, Roverised version of the Montego, using the M16 power unit, though the existence of this project has yet to be confirmed.
|
|
|
|---|
| AR16 |
Sub-800 4-door saloon
Counterpart to the 5-door AR17, both of which were based on a shortened XX (Rover 800) platform.
|
Dev: 1984-1985 |
|
|---|
| AR17 |
Sub-800 5-door hatchback
Counterpart to the 4-door AR16, both of which were based on a shortened XX (Rover 800) platform.
|
Dev: 1984-1985 |
|
|---|
| SK1 |
Rover 600
Honda-engined models
|
Dev: 1989-1993
Prod: 1993-1998 |
|
|---|
| SK2 |
Rover 600
Rover-engined models
|
Dev: 1989-1993
Prod: 1993-1998 |
|
|---|
| SK3 |
Metro replacement
Honda-developed hatchback – developed specifically for Rover and would not have had a Honda badged counterpart; cancelled in favour of Project R3 (see below).
|
Dev: 1989-1991 |
|
|---|
| HH-R |
Rover 400/45
Also known as Project Theta. The mid-term facelift that produced the 45 was called Project Oyster. See also X20, below.
NB: Development dates refer to the , the Japanese market-only saloon that the Rover 400/Concerto was based on.
|
Dev: 1990-1995
Prod: 1995-date |
|
|---|
| CB40 |
Land Rover Freelander
|
Dev: 1992-1997
Prod: 1997-date |
 |
|---|
| Codename |
Details |
Dates |
Picture |
| R3 |
Rover 200/25
Intended Metro replacement (originally codenamed SK3) based on a shortened
R8 platform. Was taken upmarket into the “Escort” market by . The mid-term facelift that produced the 25 was called Project
Jewel. See also X30, below.
|
Dev: 1991-1995
Prod: 1995-date |
 |
| R6 |
Rover Metro/100 series
Heavily revised Austin Metro, incorporating K-Series engine, PSA derived
R65 gearbox and front/rear interconnected hydragas suspension.
|
Dev: 1986-1989
Prod: 1990-1997 |
 |
| R6X |
Rover Metro/100 series - alternative body
New styling proposal for the R6, as designed by David Saddington - would
have used no carryover parts for the exterior.
|
Dev: 1987
Prod: N/A |
|
| R7 |
Small hatchback
Shortened R8 platform would have been used as a basis for this small hatchback.
Styling theme established by R6X was carried over.
|
Dev: 1988
Prod: N/A |
|
| R8 |
Rover 214/216
Renamed version of AR8; the R8 code was used from the end of 1986 right
through to the end of the project. The codenames Tex, Tomcat and Tracer
were used for the 400 Tourer, 200 Coupe and 200 Cabriolet versions respectively.
|
Dev: 1986-1989
Prod: 1989-1995 |
|
| R9 |
R8-based saloon
This car would have been a larger saloon model than the R8-based 400, sharing
only its front door skins. It was dropped in favour of a "Roverised" version
of the Honda Concerto saloon (the car that was eventually launched as the
400). The R9's role would have been closer to that of the later Rover 600.
|
Dev: 1986-1987 |
|
| R17 |
Rover 800 MkII
Hatchback version
|
Dev: 1989-1991
Prod: 1991-1998 |
|
| R18 |
Rover 800 MkII
Saloon version
|
Dev: 1989-1991
Prod: 1991-1998 |
|
| R30 |
Rover 25/45 replacement
Aborted hatchback, designed using much BMW thinking. Was planned to use
the Hamms Hall-built “NG” 4-cylinder engines and, the joint Chrysler engine
used in the MINI. Cancelled when BMW abandoned Rover.
|
Dev: 1996-1999 |
 |
| R40 |
Rover 75
Briefly known as "RD1" in the early days. See also Core, Isis and X10, below.
|
Dev: 1993-1998
Prod: 1998-2005 |
 |
R59
R50 |
New Mini
Originally codenamed R59, the R50 designation was adopted in May 1996, when
Frank Stephenson's proposal (itself codenamed "E50 2+2") was adopted for
the body style. Car was retained and launched by BMW following the split.
|
Dev: 1993-2000 |
 |
| RD60 |
Rover 45 replacement
Controversial hatchback and saloon replacement for the Rover 45 range of
cars. Styling by Peter Stevens is supposed to echo that of the TCV concept
car. Chassis/floorpan modified versio of Rover 75/MG ZT
|
Dev: 2001-2005 |
 |
| X10 |
MG ZT
|
Dev: 2000-2001
Prod: 2001-2005 |
 |
| X11 |
MG ZT-T
|
Dev: 2000-2001
Prod: 2001-2005 |
 |
| X12 |
MG ZT V8
|
Dev: 2000-2003
Prod: 2003-2005 |
 |
| X20 |
MG ZS
|
Dev: 2000-2001
Prod: 2001-date |
 |
| X30 |
MG ZR
|
Dev: 2000-2001
Prod: 2001-2005 |
 |
| X40 |
MG TF
|
Dev: 2000-2001
Prod: 2002-2005 |
|
| X60 |
MG Version of the RD60
The hatchback based on the Rover 75 floorpan; will contain many TCV styling
influences
|
Dev: 2001-2005
| |
| X80 |
MG XPower SV
Rebodied and re-engineered Qvale Mangusta, styled by Peter Stevens and manufactured
in Italy.
|
Dev: 2001-2003
Prod: 2003-2005 |
 |
| RD110 |
CityRover
Rebadged and lightly restyled Tata Indica
|
Dev: 2003-2004
Prod: 2004-2005 |
|
RDX60
RDX130 |
Rover 45/MG ZS Replacement
MG Rover codename for MG and Rover ranges.
|
|
|
| RDX30 |
Rover 25/MG ZR
MG Rover codename for both ranges.
|
|
|
| RDX20 |
Rover 45/MG ZS
MG Rover codename for both ranges.
|
|
|
| RDX10 |
Rover 75/MG ZT
MG Rover codename for both ranges.
|
|
|
| Codename |
Details |
Dates |
Picture |
|---|
| Adder |
MGR V8
The project name for the MGB-based roadster which became the MGR V8. The prototype was also known as PR4 (see below).
|
Dev: 1989-1993
Prod: 1993-1995 |
 |
|---|
| Core |
Rover 75
The inital project name for the car that would become the Rover 75. At this time, it was one of a suite of three large-car projects (the others being Eric and Flagship) based on an all-new Rover platform.
|
Dev: 1993-1998
Prod: 1998-date |
|
|---|
| Eric |
Large avantgarde coupe
The third model in Rover's inital project mid-1990s large-car programme (along with Core and Flagship), this would have been an executive-class coupe, apparently not unlike the Renault Avantime in concept. Like Flagship (below), it did not progress beyond the fibreglass model stage.
|
Dev: 1993-1994 |
|
|---|
| Flagship |
Range-topping model
Part of Rover's mid-1990s large-car programme (along with Core and Eric), and as the name suggests, this would have been a luxury saloon sitting above the 800 in the range; it was affectionately referred to within the company as "Flashpig". Like Eric (above), it did not progress beyond the fibreglass model stage.
|
Dev: 1993-1994 |
|
|---|
| Isis |
Rover 75
An old Morris model name, revived to refer to one incarnarnation of the car that would become the Rover 75. This codename was used between "Core" and "RD1".
|
Dev: 1993-1998
Prod: 1998-date |
|
|---|
| Jewel |
Rover 25
Facelift of the R3 Rover 200 to bring it into line with Rover's new 75-inspired family look.
|
Dev: 1998-1999
Prod: 1999-date |
|
|---|
| Oyster |
Rover 45
Facelift of the HH-R Rover 400 to bring it into line with Rover's new 75-inspired family look.
|
Dev: 1998-1999
Prod: 1999-date |
|
|---|
| Pathfinder |
Soft-roader/SUV
Aborted high-bodied multi-purpose vehicle, using the Rover 800 floorpan. Evolved into the CB40 (Land Rover Freelander) project.
|
Dev: 1989-1992 |
 |
|---|
| Synchro |
Rover 600
See entries for SK1 and SK2, above. |
Dev: 1989-1993
Prod: 1993-1998 |
 |
|---|
| Theta |
Rover 400/45
Alternative name for Project HH-R (above). See also X20.
|
Dev: 1990-1995
Prod: 1995-date |
|
|---|
| Tex |
Rover 400 Tourer
Developed as part of the R8 programme.
|
Dev: 1988-1992
Prod: 1994-1996 |
|
|---|
| Tomcat |
Rover 200 Coupe
Developed as part of the R8 programme.
|
Dev: 1988-1992
Prod: 1993-1999 |
 |
|---|
| Tracer |
Rover 200 Cabriolet
Developed as part of the R8 programme.
|
Dev: 1988-1992
Prod: 1992-1999 |
|
|---|
| Codename |
Details |
Dates |
Picture |
|---|
| F-16 |
MG-F forerunner
-styled car with front-engined, front-wheel-drive configuration. This design marks the birth of the MG-F concept, as its shape was used to form the body panels for PR1, PR2 and PR3. |
Dev: 1985-1989 |
 |
|---|
| PR1 |
MG-F forerunner
The first of three Phoenix prototypes, this car was built in steel by Motor Panels on Maestro underpinnings and used a front-mounted transverse 2.0 M16 engine. |
Dev: 1989-1990 |
 |
|---|
| PR2 |
MG-F forerunner
The second Phoenix prototype was built by Reliant using the Scimitar SS1 as its basis, and had a Rover 3.9-litre V8 engine. |
Dev: 1989-1990 |
 |
|---|
| PR3 |
MG-F forerunner
The third Phoenix prototype, built by ADC. This was the mid-engined design that was successful in being selected to be taken forward as the MG-F.
|
Dev: 1990 |
 |
|---|
PR3/8300
Styling development of original PR3 exercise, produced by ADC in 1991 as part of the process of 'productionising' the design. |
Dev: 1991 |
 |
MG-F
sketched this final proposal for the PR3, giving the car much needed character, whilst also doing away with the need for troublesome and aerodynamically inefficient pop-up lights.
|
Dev: 1991-1995
Prod: 1995-date |
 |
| PR4 |
MGR V8
This code was assigned to Project Adder, the MGB-based roadster which became the MGR V8 (see Project Adder, above). |
Dev: 1989-1993
Prod: 1993-1995 |
|
|---|
| DR2/PR5 |
Parallel MG-F proposal
This design was altogether bigger than the other PR-series cars, but like PR2, it had a front-mounted V8 and rear-wheel drive. It could potentially have becme an Austin-Healey if the marque had been revived.
|
Dev: 1990 |
 |
|---|
| PX1 |
Parallel MG-F proposal
A revival of the PR1 project, this car was based on front-engined, front-wheel-drive R17 (Rover 800) underpinnings. Was futher developed to become Adventurer-1 (pictured).
|
Dev: 1991 |
 |
|---|
| PX2 |
Parallel MG-F proposal
Related to PX1, but with a shortened wheelbase and retro-styling. Became Adventurer-2 (pictured).
|
Dev: 1991 |
 |
|---|