Rather than being a Rover V8 engine (which is no longer in production) the Rover 75 V8 uses a 4.6 litre Ford lump, mated to an automatic gearbox. Mounted in the nose of the Rover with its comfort biased chassis, it offers leisurely, relaxed performance more suited to high-speed cruising over long distances than a serving as a hard-core sports saloon.

With the chassis specially re-engineered the 75 V8 becomes rear wheel drive. It features a more comfort orientated set-up than the similarly powered MG ZT 260. It’s not the ideal companion for rapid direction changes and will roll about if pushed, but traction control prevents it from getting too wayward. Point it at a long distance rendezvous and it becomes an ideal companion.