Austin Mini

The Austin Mini Metro is a supermini car launched in 1980 by the Austin Rover Group. It was intended to replace the Mini and was developed under the codename LC8. Its production ran for eighteen years, during which it was sold under many names including Austin Metro, MG Metro and Rover Metro. The first models produced were 3-door hatchbacks. They were powered by 998cc and 1275cc A-series engines and came with a four speed manual gearbox much like the Mini. The Metro also featured the Hydragas suspension system.

In 1982, the Austin Mini was expanded to include the Vanden Plas and the MG models. The Vanden Plas had a more powerful MG Metro 1.3 engine and featured radio-cassette player, electric front windows, enhanced instrument panel with tachometer, leather trim, remote boot release and fog lamps. The Austin Mini MG metro turbo featured a BHP of 93 and ran at a top speed of 112 mph. It also came with stiffer suspension, rear anti-rollbar, uprated crankshaft as well as gearbox.

In 1989, the Austin label was removed and the Metro was officially re-badged as part of the Rover 100 series. Launched in 1990, the Rover Metro came with K-Series 8 valve engines and a 16 valve engine in the GTi Rover Metro. The Rover 200 was launched in 1995 and replaced the Metro. But its production didn’t last very long, because of lack of public demand after its release. This eventually led to the demise of the Rover 100, as the Mini, the car it was meant to replace, shot up in demand. Quality, second-hand Rover metro and Austin mini cars are still sold by dealers across the UK .