The CCV was launched to wide acclaim at the Turin Motor Show in April 1986. It was purely a styling concept, developed by Roy Axe and his team in the Rover design Studio at Canley. It was based on the yet-to-be launched Rover 800 (which appeared in July 1986) and echoed many of the styling themes of this car. In due course, a production coupé version of the 800-series did appear (in June 1992) but this was rather different from the CCV.

The smooth shape of the CCV offered a low aerodynamic coefficient of only 0.27 Cd, assisted by the sleek ‘greenhouse’
upper glass area with no external pillars disturbing the airflow. A ceramic coated polycarbonate roof panel with a glass sunroof was fitted over an internal steel frame. The front and rear body sections incorporated moulded impact-absorbing structures.

The interior was finished to a very high standard, with traditional hide and walnut contrasting with up-to-date equipment including a liquid crystal instrument display, a CD player, a hands-off cellular telephone and, for the rear seat passengers, a video cassette unit and monitor.