ROVER has announced 15,000-mile service intervals for its new 75, helping it to achieve half the forecast service, maintenance and repair costs of the outgoing Rover 600. Further savings are achieved through the longevity of the Rover 75's parts, with significant increases in their durability.

The car's long-life spark plugs, for example, have a predicted life of 60,000 miles, the ancillary and timing belts should last 100,000 miles, the coolant only needs replacing every four years, and the fit-for-life fuel system means there is no need to change filters. The word at the moment, however, is that Rover will stick with a 12-month unlimited mileage warranty, although the engineering advances in parts' durability will save money in spares, and also the labour times required to replace them.

Rover revealed further details of its new executive car at a technical briefing- a month after the 75 made its world debut at the British International Motor Show in Birmingham. The biggest determinants of the Rover 75's wholelife costs, however, will be the car's pricing and residual values - areas which have still to be confirmed.

The manufacturer is sticking to its guideline prices of £19,000 to £25,000, depending on engine and specification, which positions the car firmly as a luxury British alternative upper medium alternative to prestige German models such as the Audi A4, BMW 3-series and Mercedes-Benz C-class.