Insiders say that if Rover#;s TCV is well received at this week#;s Geneva motor show, the company could push the “go” button on a whole new model range based on the same platform.
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Looking not unlike some pictures of supposedly secret prototypes of a proposed 45 replacement obtained by the press a few years ago, the TCV (Tourer Concept Vehicle) is current 75 Tourer-sized with a load area that can swallow a cube-shaped European washing machine whole, as demonstrated at Geneva.
Officially, Rover says the concept was developed to show its future styling and design vision – what concept isn#;t? – and adds that it reflects new trends such as minivans, van-based station wagons and cross-overs.
The five-seater has three individual rear seat backrests which fold flush with the real load floor plus a front passenger seat backrest that flattens to the same plane so items up to 3.1 metres long can be carried. Any of the folded seatbacks can do duty as a table while the centre rear unit can be replaced by slot-in modules including child seat, entertainment centre, fridge/food warmer or business desktop unit.
The rear tailgate is split with a conventional lift-up tailgate and a hinged lower bumper section which drops to reveal a large, secure box-shaped under-floor compartment.
To top that, the main load floor can be dropped to the under-floor compartment level, allowing stowage of the aforementioned laundry appliance.
However, there was still no word at the show of the alliance with another decent-sized manufacturer MG Rover so badly needs to help share the cost of developing new platforms for models such as the TCV.
