THE Cowley-built Rover 75 has scooped its fifth prestigious award in the space of two weeks. The executive saloon won the prestigious Japanese Import Car of The Year award against competition from prestige manufacturers from around the world.

With 484 points it comfortably beat other finalists, which included the Audi TT, Peugeot 206, Mercedes-Benz S-class, Volkswagen Beetle and the Jaguar S-type.

Launched into the Japanese market at the Tokyo Motor Show in October, the Rover 75 has received world acclaim winning a number of major awards, including being voted the world's most beautiful executive saloon.

Its award-winning streak began when German Sunday newspaper, Bild am Sonntag awarded the car its Golden Steering Wheel Award - the first British-built car to do so.

Just days later the Rover 75 was voted The Journal/AA Car of the Year, then a panel of leading Italian and international automotive experts voted the car one of the world's most beautiful cars. The Society of Plastic Engineers also announced that the Rover 75's V6 plastic intake system has won an award for innovative use of plastic.

The Rover 75 has already won several major awards after being launched in June, including What Car? Car of the Year 1999/Compact Executive Car of the Year; Diesel Car of the Year and Auto Express World Car 1999. It was also the only executive car to be short-listed in the European Car of the Year 2000 awards.

The Rover 75 range starts at £18,280 for the Rover 75 1.8 Classic and rises to £25,625 for the top-of-the-range 2.5-litre V6 Connoisseur.

Story date: Wednesday 08 December

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