ROVER chose the London Motor Show to release more detailed information about the new 45 saloon. The 45 five-door will come with 1.4 16v, 1.6 16v and 1.8 16v petrol engines and the 2.0 turbodiesel engine already in the Land Rover Freelander, while the saloon will come with 1.6 16v, 1.8 16v and 2.0 V6 first seen in the 75 with Steptronic CVT transmission available with 1.8 and 2.0 litre engines.

The saloon will be badged Classic, Club and Connoisseur as in the 75 line-up, while the five-door badging will be similar to that of the 25 - iE, iS, iL and iXL. As promised the car will share many design features as the 25, adopted from the 75, most notably the 'quad' headlamps. The new front end has a higher bonnet line and deeper grille and the new front and rear bumper designs incorporate chrome inserts with direction indicators integrated with the outer headlamps.

There are also new chrome door handles and five new colours plus new wheel trims and alloy wheel styles. It has the same seats as the 75 with new interior trim levels. Improved safety features include a 45-litre driver's airbag - in place of the 30-litre in the 400, load limiting seat belts and front seat side airbags as an option. Anti-lock brakes are fitted as standard across the range. The new 45 goes on sale in the new year. Further specific information will be available nearer to the launch.