The car, launched to the sound of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra last week, has created "phenomenal interest", Rover's chairman Werner Samann said.

About half of the near-11,000 sales have been in the UK, where production of the vehicle is currently 1,660 a week and will reach 2,800 a week by the end of this year.

The 75's interior has a traditional look

"We are absolutely delighted with sales and the musical launch last week created interest not just in the UK but all over the world," said a Rover spokesman.

Made at Rover's Cowley plant near Oxford, the 75 is a top-of-the-range replacement for the company's 600 and 800 models.

Well-received by the motoring press, the new car got a pre-sale boost earlier this year when it was voted Car of the Year 1999 by What Car? magazine.

Although Rover has not made any official sales predictions for the new model, it is hoped that around 50,000 will be sold this year and as many as 100,000 in the year 2000.

The basic model sells for £19,500 on the road, while the top-of-the range price is £25,600.