![]() ![]() The company chose to stage the launch presentations for dealers and major company car buyers on board a cruise ship, the MS Vistafjord. ![]() The interior of a 1980 Austin Metro MkI.One of the consequences was that there was enormous public interest in the car from well before its launch. The Austin Allegro was seven years old and the Morris Ital was also launched in 1980 but was effectively a reworked version of the nine-year-old Morris Marina, and BL's latest all-new car was the 1976 Rover SD1. The Mini, for example, had been in production for 21 years by the time of the Metro's launch. British Leyland's troubles were largely attributed to out-of-date technology and design of most of its model range. However, by the time production of the Metro began, it was decided not to include a saloon version this niche being filled by the Mini remaining in production.Īt the time of its launch, the Metro was hailed as British Leyland's saviour, as the company was facing a serious financial crisis and there were fears that it could go out of business. The issue was resolved by BL promising to advertise the car only as the miniMetro.Ī two-door saloon model was included in the Metro's development, which would have been similar in concept to the Vauxhall Chevette saloon as well as the Volkswagen Polo based Derby. Once the result was announced, the manufacturer of trains and buses, Metro Cammell, objected to the use of the Metro name by BL. They were offered a choice of three names, Match, Maestro or Metro. The name was chosen through a ballot of BL employees. Initially, the Metro was sold as a three-door hatchback. The hatchback body shell was one of the most spacious of its time and this was a significant factor in its popularity. The Metro used the Hydragas suspension system found on the Allegro but without front to rear interconnection. Some of the Mini's underpinnings were carried over into the Metro, namely the 998 cc and 1275 cc A-Series engines, much of the front-wheel drivetrain and four-speed manual gearbox, and suspension subframes. It was intended as a big brother, rather than as a replacement, for the Mini, the earlier Mini replacement project, ADO88, having been replaced in late 1977 by a new project, LC8, for the development of a larger car which could compete more effectively with the successful superminis, such as the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Chevette. On 8 October 1980, BL introduced the Austin mini Metro. The Rover 100 finally ceased production in 1997, ironically being out-lived (by two years) by the original Mini it was meant to replace. ![]() A direct replacement in the supermini class did not arrive until 2003 with the CityRover. ![]() From 1990 until its withdrawal in 1997, the Metro was sold only as a Rover.Īlthough the new Rover 200 (introduced in 1995 and smaller than previous 200 models) had originally been designed as a replacement for the Metro, it was not marketed as such after its launch. There were also van versions known as the Morris Metro and later, Metrovan.Īt the time of its launch, the Metro was sold as an Austin. It was re-badged as the Rover 100 series in 1994. It was intended to complement the Mini, and was developed under the codename LC8.ĭuring its 18-year lifespan, the Metro wore many names: Austin Metro, MG Metro and Rover Metro. It was launched in 1980 as the Austin miniMetro. The Metro is a supermini car that was produced by the Austin Rover Group division of British Leyland and its successors. ![]()
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