The Rover 220 GTi is a Brilliant '90s Hot Hatch

As Rover/BAe manager in the 90s we (many 1000s of us) had the option to lease any car in the Rover range from Metro to 800 for a small monthly fee. And the best bit was that we could change the car every 6 months ! We were in our element choosing the model and colour every 6 months. “What are you getting next ?” … “I think a 416Si in Kingfisher blue …… you ?” …”623GSi in Nightfire Red.” Happy days. I think the most I spent was £200 a month.

I still reflect on and feel my 220 GTi with fondness. My late wife drove it fearlessly with a touch of insanity that it obeyed.

I had a 220Gsi Turbo for four years. The reason they sold so few was that it was £19.5k in 1996. Genuine 146mph and 0-60 in 6.4, still torque steered even with the Torsen diff. Devoured brake discs like crazy as I believe they were the same as those on the 1.4 ABS models and slowing down from 135mph warped them easily. Gear changes were 35mph, 70mph, 110mph, and 135mph into top so you could sneak 3rd down changing for a fast bend at 100. Took mine to the Nurburgring and did 35 miles in convoy with a 911 on the autobahn at speeds ranging from 130-145. Ultimate Q car as they upspecked the 1.4 into a special edition using the Turbo alloys and kept the half leather interior. 😎😇😱

Great video! I bought a 220GTi in 1997. I absolutely loved that car! To this day, it's the best car I've ever owned. Nice to see it getting some appreciation all these years later.

I really admire the skill, effort, dedication, research, planning you put in to these videos. Bit jealous tbh lol

Ed, since you have been able to drive the cars, your channel has gone from strength to strength, well done buddy

Nice too see the Rover brand getting recognition! MG Maestro very capable car! Big shout out too all T16 Turbo crew still rocking the old power plant in 2022 and beyond!

As many other viewers have commented, your research, delivery, is spot on. Back when I was yet to be a teenager, a family friend had a jet black 220GTi and I just adored it.

The Tourer , in my opinion. is better looking than the BMW 3 Series tourer.. But as usual the british press did their best to bad mouth their own company .

For me the Tomcat is the best looking car of the 90s. I just love it!

I've worked for a large corporation and the teams of people who can design and build something even when their job is in doubt is a remarkable thing. Those people love what they do and should be recognized for their passion. Keep up with the history side of it all; it's the people behind the scenes who make the cars what they are. Liking that you are now driving and reviewing the cars. Seeing your expressions says a lot about these cars that sometimes words can't. Excellent review. As much as you appreciate our support, we appreciate your passion for cars.

I had a 416GTi and a work colleague had a 220GTi, we raced many times, he always had the edge from a dig, but the top of 2nd gear I was always in front.

I remember driving my brother's 220 GTi for the first time back when it was new in the early to mid 90s and being very impressed by how quick and responsive it felt. This was before speed cameras, so it was possible to test things enthusiastically. It was a great piece of design with an equally great engine. Until recently I had its successor - the HHR 420GSi - and I'm pleased to see the merits of the T-Series engine being recognised. The way that engine could pull at 70mph in 5th was always a joy. When it hit 4000 revs it really kicked in in and would surprise a lot of other drivers. Sadly, average speed checks and other forms of monitoring mean those days are gone, but it's still a great engine.

220 and 220 turbo are real beasts but even the 1,6 twin cam is quick, very good and vastly underated motors.

Best range of cars ever from Rover. Had the 220 turbo coupe... serious licence loser ... best video yet Ed, top work

I love this era of Rovers. I like them more than the bubbles.

I had a 1997 tomcat coupe with a 1.8 vvc ' slightly tuned'... engine, I chickened out at 140mph, and it still had more! god I loved that car!

Great stuff. I worked in Longbridge for 11 years and loved it there. Rover-Honda years were the best and they would still be around if that continued. BMW made some big strategic mistakes as history has shown.

Great video as ever. If you don't end up reviewing cars on TV in the future as a career I'll be very surprised. Great review. When I was 17 in 2000 a Rover was not the car to have, but now I have a little hankering for a 90's Rover. The R8 was actually a nice car. And people forget how advanced Rovers engines were in the early 90's, everyone harks on about Ford fitting 16v engines to the Mondeo in 94, Rover were doing it years before. The Rover story is a really sad one in the motoring world, it could have and should have been great, but in typical British fashion we drove it into the ground then let all the good bits go.

This is a really good video. So well researched and accurate. The 220 GTI was a great looking car. The R8 Rover was a great car, so much so that Ford copied the styling of it in the MK5 Escort. The Focus has always claimed to have had the first independent rear suspension in a car that size, when in fact Ford were beaten to it by Rover.