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Austin Metro Index
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MG Metro 6R4
The project for the Metro 6R4 started in November 1980 at the same time as British Leyland stopped development of the Triumph TR7 V8. A Metro with a front-mounted Rover V8 was discussed, before the benefits of a mid-mounted engine and four wheel drive were chosen. Chassis development was carried out by Patrick Head and Williams Formula One team. A V6 version of the Rover V8 engine was experimented with, and prototypes ran with this engine in British National Rallies throughout 1984 and early 1985. By May 1985 ex Cosworth employee David wood had created the 3-litre V6 dohc engine and Homologation was applied for and achieved in November 1985 after 200 cars were built. The Clubman version actually won its first event 2 days after Ken Wood collected it from the factory. Tony Pond took a Metro 6R4 to 3rd overall on the 1985 Lombard RAC Rally but this was its best finish on International events. The shorter national events suited the unreliable 6R4 where it often won, not just in Britain but also in France, and then the car found a career in Rallycross. Group B Rallying was banned at the end of 1986 on safety grounds, but Austin Rover did manage to negotiate an exemption for a power-restricted Clubman 300 version in Group A rallying. Austin Rover sold the engine design to Tom Walkinshaw Racing who then developed it and took it to Jaguar for use in their XJ220 and XJR-10/11 racing cars.
Metro 6R4 front
Metro 6R4. The extraordinary appearance of the 6R4 was due to it supposedly having to conform to the silhouette of a standard Austin Metro. This belies the chassis underneath and much of the bodywork developed by Patrick Head of the williams Formula One team.
Metro 6R4 head
Metro 6R4. Designed to be homologated for Group B Rallying, the 6R4 was powered by a rear-mounted V6 dohc 2991cc engine without turbochargers. The engine was designed by David Wood (formerly of Cosworth) and found life after 6R4 when Tom Walkenshaw Racing bought the design and transformed it for use in the Jaguar XJ220 and also the Jaguar XJR-10/11 Racing cars.
Metro 6R4 rear
Metro 6R4. The extraordinary looks of the Metro 6R4 ensured it complied with the silhouette regulations of FIA Group B Rallying. Austin Rover went shopping for a V6 engine to put in the 6R4, and had one designed for them which they put where the shopping would have gone in a standard Metro
s_Metro 6R4 side
Metro 6R4. Tony Pond took the Metro 6R4 to third place on the 1985 Lombard RAC Rally, it's first International event and its best finish. '6R4' stands for 6-cylinder, rear engine, 4-wheel drive.
v_Metro 6R4 ventf
Metro 6R4. Engine cooling scoop which actually forms part of the door.
v_Metro 6R4 window
Metro 6R4. Engine cooling through the perspex rear side windows
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MG Metro, Metro turbo
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Jaguar XJ220
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Jaguar XJR5 - 16
key text:  This is the page introducing Simons love of cars from the website  RedSimon which is a series of photo albums of Simon GP Geoghegan.
The names of Pinin, Farina, and Pininfarina are also considered
There are also notes on Pininfarina
as well as the car maker
and links tothat car maker
see also my Picasa car albums
withe even more on RedSimon
Simon is also a contributor to SuperCars.Net
And also to Wikipedia
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