Rover 827 Si. Brilliant Japanese engineering, chic British jacket

As an editor you regularly have the privilege of driving fine classics and older youngsters. Some cars are extra distinctive within those categories. The Rover 827Si is such a car that has made the heart beat with expectation for a long time. And this version of the 800 R17 range impressively lives up to expectations.

So anticipation, and it is not for nothing. This Rover 827 Si was ordered by the first owner in the enchanting combination Nightfire Red outside and cream leather inside. And that collusion comes with equipment specifications that don't lie. Moreover, this Rover is from 1994 blessed with a Legend engine. In plain English: under the hood is the 2.7 V6 Honda engine, which is linked to a four-speed automatic transmission with S4 application. This Rover comes from Austria, and in the Alpine country the beautiful 827Si covered only 51.000 kilometers. Sicco Dijkstra from provider Dijkstra Classic Cars & Youngtimers recently took him to the Creme 21 rally in Bavaria. We will drive it shortly after.

More dynamic nineties look

This Rover has everything a car in the larger luxury class should have. First of all, there is the exclusivity, because the 800 series you see relatively little on the roads. That is also why this Rover is a wonderful alternative to the established order in this segment. In addition, the 827 Si offers a battery of electrical options, there is climate control on board and the furniture is covered with sublime leather. It is enjoyable behind the fine-handling steering wheel, while you look out at a dashboard that reveals the car's eighties origins. Note: this Rover is after the R17 facelift, where it got a more dynamic appearance. In this sense, it was adapted to nineties standards, whereby the model was also given more attractive curves.

Endless driving dynamics

However, the extremely pleasant driving dynamics of this Rover are endless. The chassis offers ultra comfort, the automatic transmission is silky soft, and in the sport mode you have the choice to press the S4 button so that the speed goes down. That is an overdrive, as it were. It is no exaggeration to say that this executive does almost everything superbly. The handling has already been mentioned, the steering is comfortable and communicates really well. A little sharper through a bend? Forget that and steer the Rover gently through a sharp corner. If you put a little more spice into the curve, a quickly occurring understeer will emerge.

Well-mannered suppleness

This is not least because the Honda V6 engine puts weight on the scale. That power source does more. The silky smooth 2.7 shows an uncontrollably fine and well-mannered flexibility and, in combination with the beautiful automatic transmission, is really fantastic. You don't have to worry about it, and that also applies to the way in which many functions can be operated or set. A child can do the laundry.

Beneficial properties

This applies to the entire driving characteristic, the Rover is very easy to drive. He takes the work off your hands and lets you enjoy the beneficial properties offered by the technology and comfort on board. Despite the performance potential, there is no need for a moment to floor the accelerator, the Rover is averse to the urge to prove in that area. By the way, count on being able to give him the spurs if you have to. But it's not necessary. You want to leave the world relaxed with this car. Bart Spijker and I stay with the Rover in Frisian, but you constantly feel the desire to tour the Alps with it. Or much further. To then arrive fully equipped, with the feeling that you still want to go a step further with the Rover. Such a car is this.

Technically flawless

Now the Rover is waiting for a pure enthusiast, who looks a little further than the qualitative prejudices that stick to an 800 series. Especially the copies after the facelift are technically flawless, and the old electrical ailments are less of an issue with the facelift versions. The electric window control can sometimes falter, which is a point of attention, so replacing a printed circuit board or a switch offers a solution.

Attractive for the business driver

It is of course personal, but I find the R17 series of the 800 (so the series from 1991) more attractive than the original 800 versions thanks to the curves. Anyone who was in the market for this 90 Si in the 827s readily paid a ton in guilders in the Netherlands. Today the asking price is € 7.950. Whoever pays for that is assured of an excellent alternative that is almost in new condition. An alternative, which is also fiscally beneficial from a business point of view.

Just broken in, pure comfort

However, you are doing this car far too short by mentioning tax benefits. Because this is an almost virgin Rover 827 Si in a truly sublime condition. Just run in, top maintenance, 55.000 kilometers of life experience and good for pure comfort. With the certainty of formidable Japanese technology, which has been put in a wonderful British coat. A combination that largely left the qualitative Rover prejudices behind. It is more than a privilege to drive it.