Editing Austin Metro (section)

==Rover Metro==
{{Infobox automobile
| image = 1991 Rover Metro C 1.1.jpg
| name = Rover Metro
| manufacturer = [[Rover (car)|Rover]] ([[Rover Group]])
| aka = Rover 100 (Europe)
| production = 1990–1994
| assembly = [[Longbridge plant|Longbridge, Birmingham, England]]
| body_style = 3-door [[hatchback]]<br />5-door [[hatchback]]<br />2-door [[convertible (car)|convertible]]<br/>3-door panel van
| layout = Front engine, front-wheel drive
| platform = R6
| engine = {{ubl
  | 1.1&nbsp;L ''[[Rover K-series engine|K-series]]'' 8V [[Straight-four engine|I4]]
  | 1.4&nbsp;L [[Rover K-series engine|K-series]]&nbsp;8/16V I4
  | 1.4&nbsp;L ''[[PSA TUD engine|PSA/TUD3]]'' [[Diesel engine|diesel]] I4
  }}
| transmission = 4/5-speed PSA manual <br />[[Continuously variable transmission|CVT]]
| wheelbase = {{convert|88.6|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|134.1|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|61.6|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|53.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| weight = 1,852lbs (840&nbsp;kg)
| related = [[MG F / MG TF]]
| designer = 
| sp = uk
}}
[[File:1993 Rover Metro L 1.1 Rear.jpg|alt=|left|thumb|Rear of a Rover Metro]]
At the end of 1987, the Austin marque was shelved. The Austin badge was removed from the cars, which continued to be manufactured with no marque badge, just a model name badge. Rover management never allowed Rover badges on the Montego or the Maestro in their home market, although they were sometimes referred to as "Rovers" in the press and elsewhere. They wore badges that were the same shape as the Rover longship badge, but which did not say "Rover". By this stage, Rover was in the final stages of developing the new [[Rover 200 Series]] and [[Rover 400 Series]] models in conjunction with [[Honda]], and it was also working on a replacement for the Metro.

During the 1980s, the media had published photographs of the "Austin AR6" concept car, which would have been a completely new design, but towards the end of the decade Rover decided to restyle and re-engineer the existing Metro design instead.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.aronline.co.uk/concepts/bl-concepts/ar6/concepts-austin-ar6/ |title = Austin AR6 – the full story of a new supermini to replace the Austin Metro|date = 28 July 2018}}</ref>

The new '''Rover Metro''' was finally launched in May 1990, being a heavily revised version of the original Metro and fitted with a new range of engines.

The proven 998 cc and 1275 cc A-Series engines (the 1275cc unit was heavily modified and saw service in the classic Mini right up to the end of Mini production in October 2000) gave way to the all-new K-series engine. These were available in 1.1 litre (1118&nbsp;cc {{convert|60|bhp|kW|0|abbr=on}}) and 1.4 litre (1396&nbsp;cc {{convert|76|bhp|kW|0|abbr=on}}) 8-valve versions, while a 16-valve engine was available in the GTi (early variants are {{convert|95|bhp|kW|0|abbr=on}} SPi while the later MPi version has 103&nbsp;bhp) and the early GTa. All models used end-on gearboxes designed jointly by Rover and [[Peugeot]]. In 1992, a 1.4 [[PSA Peugeot Citroën|PSA]] [[PSA TUD engine|TUD]] diesel from the [[Citroën AX]] and [[Peugeot 106]] was launched; this was the first time the Metro had been available with a diesel engine.  At the same time an automatic version was launched with a [[Continuously Variable Transmission|CVT]]-type gearbox. 
The Hydragas suspension was finally modified to accept front to rear interconnection in the way that [[Alex Moulton]] had intended, to improve handling and ride quality.

[[File:Rover Metro Rio 1.jpg|thumb|left|The interior of a 1994 Rover Metro Rio.]]

A new bodyshell for the replacement car (the AR6 project) was designed. Its styling was influenced by [[Ital Design]], with some similarity to the acclaimed [[Giorgetto Giugiaro]]-designed [[Fiat Punto]] launched in 1994, and the lower panels of the [[Peugeot 205]], and incorporating the blacked-out pillars and 'floating roof' of the 1989 R8 [[Rover 200]].<ref name="aronline.co.uk">[http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/2011/06/25/concepts-austin-ar6/ Concepts : Austin AR6]. AROnline. Retrieved 4 September 2013.</ref> However, this was cancelled by chairman Graham Day, because British Aerospace (then the Rover Group's new owners) refused to fund it, and the disappointing sales of the Maestro and Montego had not produced expected profits to reinvest.<ref name="aronline.co.uk"/> A mockup could be seen at the Canley, Coventry design centre in the 1990s during open days. It appeared as a 'Scoop' photo on the front cover of [[Car magazine|CAR magazine]] in the mid-1980s. Project R6, as it became known, would be a more modest update of the 1980 car – the basic bodyshell was retained, but was improved with the addition of new plastic front and rear bumpers, new front wings, new rear lights and bootlid, new front headlamps and bonnet. The interior was altered with a new rounded instrument binnacle and instruments (although the 1984 dashboard moulding remained), new steering wheel, new seats (from the successful Rover 200 series), new door casings and other detail improvements. General build quality, fit and finish was improved enormously from the old Metro and went on to win ''[[What Car?]]'' "Car of The Year" in 1991.

In many export markets, including Italy and France, the Rover Metro was badged as the Rover 100 series, with the 1.1 known as the Rover 111 and the 1.4 called 114.

Latterly this car has attracted an enthusiastic following including use as a low-cost entry to motor racing. The basic just-over-{{convert|100|bhp|kW|-1|abbr=on}} engine for the GTI can be boosted to over {{Convert|130|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} at the flywheel. For ultimate performance the 1.8 K-series engine, with standard cams or VVC (Variable Valve Control) system can be fitted (these engines are found in the MGF and Lotus Elise sports cars, as well as various Rovers and MGs).

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