Rover 800 и Honda Legend: История сотрудничества и эволюция модели.

The Rover 800 series is an executive car (E segment in Europe) range manufactured by the Austin Rover Group subsidiary of British Leyland, and its successor the Rover Group from 1986 to 1999. It was also marketed as the Sterling in the United States. Co developed with Honda, it was a close relative to the Honda Legend and the successor to the decade old Rover SD1. whilst Honda was keen to expand its presence in the lucrative North American market – something which it couldn't fully do unless it had a full size luxury saloon (at that time the Honda Accord was its biggest model) which would compete with similar large Japanese imports from Toyota and Datsun. Joint development of the car began in 1981 under the "XX" codename; the corresponding Honda version was known as the Honda Legend, and was codenamed as "HX". The US market (Acura) Legends were built in Japan. Early Japanese models were built at the Honda Sayama Factory. It was finally launched on 10 July 1986, taking the place of the decade old Rover SD1. Rover's Special Vehicle Division considered building an estate version in 1992 as the 800 'Shooting Break'.

At launch, the 2 litre versions of the 800 used two naturally aspirated 2.0 L 16 valve developments of British Leyland's stalwart O series engine, dubbed the M series. which was related to the slightly smaller engine used in the 2400 SD Turbo model of the Rover SD1, and Range Rover Turbo D.

The Sterling badge was used in Europe and most global markets to denote the top saloon luxury version and the Vitesse badge used to denote the top fastback sporting version. The Vitesse became available at the same time as the 2675 cc Honda V6. Both of these top of the range models were initially only available in the UK with the V6. In some European markets, in particular Italy, the 2.0 litre petrol was badged as Sterling and later available (in turbo form) as Vitesse to avoid punitive duties that made engines over 2.0 litres non viable for volume sales. At the time of the launch, the Sterling provoked controversy as it overlapped in price with the entry level versions of the Jaguar XJ40 which was launched at the same time, and had been developed largely when Jaguar was still part of British Leyland. Towards the end of Mark 1 production the Vitesse had nearly as many "luxury" features as the Sterling (for example, electric front seats). There was also a brief run of just over 500 820 Turbo 16v cars using a turbocharged version of the M series developed with help from Tickford, leading to this model often being referred to as the "Tickford Turbo". Utilising such enhancements as sodium filled exhaust valves and Mahle forged pistons the car produced , although there is much speculation about this figure being severely held back by the electronics as not to step on the toes of the V6 engined models as well as to preserve the reliability of the gearbox. In the USA, the car was branded as the Sterling, not a Rover and was only available with the Honda V6 petrol engines. Initial sales in America were strong, and the design was well received. However, early vehicles were soon found to have build quality and reliability problems. Sales fell in the USA as the reputation of the model deteriorated, with J. D. Power surveys and journalists noting problems with the trim, electrics, paintwork and excessive corrosion. The original Rover 800 had also formed the basis for the coupe version of the Honda Legend after its 1986 launch, but at the time Rover had decided against launching a coupe version of the 800 series. From February 1992 until 1996, the Rover 800 Coupe came exclusively with the 2.7 Honda V6 engine and 16" Rover 'Prestige' alloys. A four speed automatic transmission came as standard, and the car was capable of well over 130 mph.

A facelift in 1996 provided few exterior changes, the most noticeable being the painting of previously black rubbing strips on all models except the coupé and the revision of the suspension system. Grille fins became silver in colour, instead of their former black. Climate control, passive immobilisation and a passenger airbag became standard, and a 6 disc CD auto changer was fitted to all models apart from the entry level ("i") model. Security technology was upgraded with a change from infra red to radio frequency for the remote door key. Wood finishes were expanded, with a coachwork line and "ROVER" on the door cards, accentuating the new, pleated seat finishes and deep pile rugs along with pleated leather door cards, much of which was handmade with what Rover called in its advertising "the craftsman's touch". Post 1996 Vitesses were all "Sport" specification so the sport badge was dropped, also from 1996 the 2.0L T16 engines used wasted spark ignition instead of distributor. Non sport Vitesse models have approx , whilst the sport has
Although the 800 had fallen behind the competition considerably (few mechanical changes were made, apart from the introduction of the Rover KV6 Engine which replaced the Honda 2.7 V6 in 1996), it was a steady seller until the spring of 1999, when it was replaced by the Rover 75.

The Rover KV6 and M series engines in the 800 series was hampered by reliability problems and head gasket failures. Rover at the time, with no understanding of the problems, simply replaced the engines. In many cases repair would not have been an option due to liner problems. The KV6 engine was in most cases mated to a JATCO gearbox which also in some cases suffered from reliability issues.

On 6 June 1988, rally driver Tony Pond became the first person to complete a lap of the TT motorcycle course at an average speed of over in a car – a Rover 827 Vitesse, standard apart from safety features and racing tyres. Pond's record remained unbeaten until
2011.