THE new Rover 45 has gone on sale to be met with improved residual value predictions over the old 400. This is the result of Rover repositioning the majority of the range out of the upper medium segment.

The 45 now competes primarily against cars such as the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra, although there is some spill-over by the saloon range into the upper medium segment against Ford Mondeo-class cars. Rover took the same action by moving the 25 into the supermini segment, resulting in improved residual values over the old 200. The February issue of CAP Monitor Future Residual Values predicts that the petrol-engined 45 hatchback range will retain between 32% and 35% of its value after three years/60,000 miles, the diesel hatchback between 35% and 36% and the diesel saloon 33%.

The lowest figures are for the petrol saloon range - between 30% and 32% - although these will be competing against fleet mainstays such as the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Vectra. A 45 Classic 1.8 4dr will retain 32%, a Ford Mondeo 1.8 LX 27%, Peugeot 406 1.8 LX 30% and Vauxhall Vectra 1.8 LS 28%. A hatchback 45 1.6iL retains 35%, a Ford Focus 1.6 LX 5dr 35%, a Vauxhall Astra 1.6i LS 33%, Peugeot 306 1.6 LX 32% and a Renault Megane 1.6 Alize 33%.

CAP Monitor editor Mark Norman said: 'The 45 will make more than the 400 because it has been repositioned and is now competing where it should be.' Rover said that while there were 'bound to be ups and downs' in the residual value forecasts for the range, the CAP Monitor forecasts were 'most encouraging' and show the new face of Rover is complete.