BMC>Rover Engines
The cars produced by BMC and its successors have used a wide variety of engines, including the venerable A-series, the much-lauded K-series and the ubiquitous ex-Buick Rover V8.
In this section you'll find details of some of the engines used within the merged companies from 1952 onwards, including a brief development history, specifications, applications, photographs and cutaway drawings (where available). More engines will be added from time to time, so keep an eye on the Latest Updates page...
A-series
Configuration: 4-cylinder, OHV Applications: Mini; BMC 1100/1300; Austin A30, A35, A40 Farina, Allegro, Metro, Maestro, Montego; Morris Minor, Marina, Ital; MG Midget; Austin-Healey/Austin Sprite
Enter...
B-series
Configuration: Four- and six-cylinder OHV Applications: MGA, Morris Cowley, Oxford/Cambridge, Freeway, 24/80 (Australian six-cylinder), MGB, BMC 1800, Marina, Princess
C-series
Configuration: 6-cylinder, OHV Applications: Austin-Healey 100/6, 3000, Austin Westminster, Austin 3-Litre, MGC
E-series
Configuration: 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder, OHC Applications: Austin Maxi, Allegro, Austin/Morris 2200, Princess, Leyland Marina, P76, Rover SDX, Morris Nomad
H- and K-series prototypes
Configuration: 4-cylinder, OHC Application: ADO74
K-series
Configuration: 4-cylinder/6-cylinder Vee Applications: Metro; Rover 100, 200, 400, 825, 25, 45, 75; MG ZR, ZS, ZT Land Rover Freelander, Lotus Elise, Caterham, Westfield
M- and T-series
Configuration: 4-cylinder Applications: Rover 200/400, HH-R, 620ti, 800, Land Rover Discovery, Morgan Plus Four
O-series
Configuration: 4-cylinder, OHC Applications: Marina, Princess, Ital, Ambassador, Rover SD1, Maestro, Montego
O-series Turbo, take one
Configuration: 4-cylinder, OHC Applications: Triumph TR7 and Rover SD1 prototypes
S-series
Configuration: 4-cylinder, OHC Applications: Maestro, Montego, Rover 216 (SD3)
Rover V8
Configuration: 8-cylinder, 90-degree Vee Applications: Rover P5B, P6B, SD1; Land Rover; Range Rover; Discovery; MGB GT V8; Triumph TR8
The SD1 Six
Configuration: 6-cylinder, in-line Applications: Rover SD1 2600, 2300
Jaguar AJV8
Configuration: V8-cylinder Applications: Jaguar S-TYPE, XF, XJ, XK
Powertrain and the Iranians
More failed collaborations, this time involving the Iranian company SAIPA - and plans to assemble Rover 75s over there, and power its small car, the Saba by K-Series.
Powertrain in the 1990s
The fascinating story of the KV6 engine's venture to the East, and how Kia ended up using it - while paying for the development costs back home...
Powertrain developments 2000-2005
A look at the work undertaken by Powertrain during the reign of the MG Rover Group. Uprated K- and L-Series engines were almost with us, and more high tech developments were in the pipeline...