A REFRESHED 400 with the quad headlamps and front seats from a 75 it might be, but fleets like it: Rover continues to report strong corporate sector demand for its just-launched 45, the range charged with holding the fort, along with Rover 25, until a replacement for both - R30 - arrives in 2002. Rover has done its utmost to give the 45 the broadest possible appeal. Hatchback and saloon body styles range in on-the-road price from ú12,115 to ú18,815, and there's a class distinction between five-door and four-door.

The hatches retain the 400's iE, IS, iL, iXS and iXL badging with 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0-litre TD engines, while the saloon's upmarket intentions are reinforced with 75-influenced trim designations - Classic, Club and Connoisseur for 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 V6 and 2.0 TD units. Criticised long and loud in the past for some questionable product positioning, Rover has stepped in line to agree the 400's replacement competes with Astra and Focus ... although the company probably wouldn't complain if customers chose to park the higher-spec saloons next to Lagunas, Accords and Primeras.