more interesting than any metal currently available in my eyes. As to the dash, well, the idea of retro-modernity is quite cool -- far nicer to my eyes than the new Saab 9-5?s dash. I saw that car on the outside and thought 'nice', then saw the dash and thought 'ugh'. DaveH - November 27, 2009 Well, I think that is a great effort. Modern but retro at the same time. Have to agree about the dash -- the block on top design was probably one of the ugliest ever. The X-TYPE is based upon the old Ford Mondeo platform -- would Tata do a joint technology deal with Ford and get this on the market? Ford are currently working with Fiat for the Ka so I could see that happening. However, I think if the Rover brand returns it really needs to be in the segment below Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz currently occupied by the likes of Alfa Romeo, Saab, Volvo and, probably, VW -- a sub-premium brand but above the mainstream in terms of quality and style. Charles, I agree -- the front is bland (believe it or not it took longer to do the bonnet and the work ahead of the front arch than to do the rest), but what else can be done without compromising the links with the original design? There is a grille of sorts under the leading edge of the bonnet a la SD1 S2 (but in mesh) but I can do