ROVER has announced a string of enhancements (including air conditioning as standard) and price realignments to its 800 range, to be introduced from January 2, 1997.

On Rover 800 saloon and fastback models the top-of-the-range Sterling will become available powered by the 2.0-litre T-series engine costing £22,195 (delivered price excluding road fund licence) as well as the 2.5-litre engined model costing £25,695 down from £28,946; 820i and 825Di models - which will both cost £18,695 up from £18,446 and down from £20,946 respectively - also feature electric rear windows, centre interior light with reading lights, front fog lamps and leather trimmed arm rests, and a new £21,195 825i powered by the manufacturer's KV6 engine carries the same specification.

In addition 820Si, 825Si and 825SDi feature a boot-mounted six-disc CD autochanger with models costing £20,195, £22,695 and £20,195 respectively from £19,946, £22,446 and £22,446 respectively. The specification enhancements to those three models bring them into line with the 820SLi, 825SLi and 825SLDi which are dropped from the range. The line-up is completed by the Vitesse at £22,695 (£22,446).

Changes to the 800 Coupe range see the £30,446 V6 Coupe now badged Sterling (costing £25,695) and the £26,446 Turbo Coupe now badged Vitesse Coupe (£22,695) joined by a new £22,195 2.0 Sterling.

CONFIRMATION of 600 changes have yet to be received, but as well as air conditioning becoming standard across the range - although the entry-level 618i is available without the feature at £14,795 - alloy wheels have been added on all 2.0 and 2.3 litre variants.

In February the revised 600 line-up - with the 618i with air conditioning costing £15,495 (£15,301) - will be further boosted by the addition of a 620Di costing £15,995 and sharing the same trim level as the 618i.

Remaining 600 range new prices with old prices in brackets are: 618Si £16,495 (£16,301), 620Si £17,795 (£17,446), 620SLi £18,595 (£18,946), 620GSi £19,595 (£20,446), 620SDi £17,095 (£17,446), 620SLDi £18,595 (£18,946), 620ti £20,795 (£20,446), 623GSi £21,795 (£24,446).