Gallery : MG Metro

31 July 2011 Keith Adams 3

The Metro was the first Austin Rover car to be subjected to the MG treatment. Arguably, it was the most successful recipient of the octagon treatment, perhaps because the early versions were rather similar to the Mini-Cooper in spirit…

MG Metro 1300

The MG Metro 1300 was a welcome addition to the ranks of the sporting hatchback. Although comfortably outgunned by such cars as the Ford Fiesta XR2 and Renault 5 Gordini (Alpine in Europe), the 72bhp MG was nevertheless a pleasurable steed and it soon found a ready market. In the UK, the car was lauded by the motoring press, most notably, What Car? magazine, who voted it their Car of the Year for 1983. Performance: 0-60mph, 12.2 seconds, maximum speed, 100mph (source: Autocar)
The MG Metro 1300 was a welcome addition to the ranks of the sporting hatchback. Although comfortably outgunned by such cars as the Ford Fiesta XR2 and Renault 5 Gordini (Alpine in Europe), the 72bhp MG was nevertheless a pleasurable steed and it soon found a ready market. In the UK, the car was lauded by the motoring press, most notably, What Car? magazine, who voted it their Car of the Year for 1983. Performance: 0-60mph, 12.2 seconds, maximum speed, 100mph (source: Autocar)

MG Metro Turbo

It was inevitable that Austin Rover would go down the forced induction route to extract more performance from the vanilla MG Metro. Within six months of the first car's launch, the Turbo version duly appeared. The installation was a rather simple one, breathing through an SU carburettor, as opposed to the more complex EFi induction systems of its rivals. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of the installation was not in doubt boasting an excellent maximum power output of 93bhp, giving the MG Metro Turbo a fair turn of speed.
It was inevitable that Austin Rover would go down the forced induction route to extract more performance from the vanilla MG Metro. Within six months of the first car's launch, the Turbo version duly appeared. The installation was a rather simple one, breathing through an SU carburettor, as opposed to the more complex EFi induction systems of its rivals. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of the installation was not in doubt boasting an excellent maximum power output of 93bhp, giving the MG Metro Turbo a fair turn of speed.

Identifiable from its more humble normally aspirated brother by its plastic wheel arches, deeper front air dam and larger diameter alloy wheels. Contemporary road tests complained of less civilised road manners than the standard MG Metro, notably a propensity to torque steer and bounce too much on less than billiard-smooth roads.

Performance: 0-60mph, 9.4seconds, maximum speed, 110mph (source: Autocar)

Keith Adams
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3 Comments

  1. The mg engine had a long duration cam shaft which allowed a high compression ratio giving fantastic fuel economy,and with the high idle and lumpy tickover, it was like driving a full race car on the road.Only rover could produce such a character car. The turbo had that special handling you get with well balanced car ,you just think it round corners.But the trim height is critical.On a hot day the hydra gas expands and up goes the ride height.Lotus did a fantastic job with engine, but sadley the gearbox was made of glass.I even took all the teeth off the laygear.

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