The Metro 6R4 story: Time For Tea?

Ever wondered how the mid-engined Metro made it from pipe dream to Group B? Find out here!

It was reading through our Wilton House story yesterday that it became apparent the Metro 6R4 hadn't featured in any kind of video feature on PH. We've done Audi Quattros, Escorts and 911s on stages but not the mid-engined Metro. Time to address that.

As luck would have it, YouTube has an excellent two-part documentary on the 6R4's gestation. It covers everything from Austin Rover's decision to return to world rallying, the tie-up with Williams, the production of the road versions, testing and its first competitive events.

It says an awful lot about rallying then that Austin Rover were willing to build an entirely new car (and a flippin mid-engined Metro at that) simply because international rallying was so popular. Will rallying ever become so influential again?

Tony Pond features quite prominently throughout as the 6R4's main driver, from testing it at Gaydon (doesn't it look nice without the bodykit?) to starting the 1985 RAC rally. It's also interesting to remember that the Metro was naturally aspirated as opposed to the majority of its rivals. It was believed there would less to malfunction, fewer heat related issues and of course the predictability of no lag either. The noise is fairly amazing too.

The two videos together total about 15 minutes but it really is worth setting aside some time. A project that was never quite able to show its full potential, you can't help but wonder what might have been for the Metro 6R4.

See part one here.