171 Austin AR6 (Project 90) Prototype (1984) B 123 ABC
Austin AR6 (Project 90) Prototype (1984) Engine 1596cc S4 S Series
Registration Number B 123 ABC
AUSTIN ALBUM
www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/albums/72157623759808208
A product of the Canley design studio, under Roy AQxe the AR6 project was intended as a replacement for the ARG Metro to slot into the range that would include Rover 213-216 reskin and the Maestro replacement, The AR6 was intended to be powered by the new K series engines then under developement which would replace the concurrent K series. The body was styled by Roy AQxes team with the intent of being highly aerodynamic, it would have been bodied in aluminium following the work on the ECV3 and the ALCAN/Austin Rover aluminium Metro and be kept as light as possible
But at that time ARGwere struggling financially to stretch to the requires and a launch date of 1988 was set developement costs and a Government cash injection was used to save the K Series engine developement. The plan for an aluminium shell ended up being dropped on cost grounds and instead an all metal alternative path was followed the engines would be K-Series in 1.1-, 1.4- and a 1.4-litre Turbo forms scapping plans to develope a 100mpg three cylinder. due to costs and the increased weight.
The branding was to have been, Austin Metro, MG Metro, MG Metro Turbo, and luxury version would have been the Vanden Plas. The MG Midget name would have been used for the convertible and possibly coupe.
However the Margaret Thatcher led Government were pushing hard towards privatisation sooner rather than later. The AR6 was canned and instead the Metro received a makeover and sodiered on to the Rover 100
Many thanks for a Supersonic
53,499.464 views
Shot 29.05.2016 at Gaydon Motor Museum, Transport Show REF 119-171
171 Austin AR6 (Project 90) Prototype (1984) B 123 ABC
Austin AR6 (Project 90) Prototype (1984) Engine 1596cc S4 S Series
Registration Number B 123 ABC
AUSTIN ALBUM
www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/albums/72157623759808208
A product of the Canley design studio, under Roy AQxe the AR6 project was intended as a replacement for the ARG Metro to slot into the range that would include Rover 213-216 reskin and the Maestro replacement, The AR6 was intended to be powered by the new K series engines then under developement which would replace the concurrent K series. The body was styled by Roy AQxes team with the intent of being highly aerodynamic, it would have been bodied in aluminium following the work on the ECV3 and the ALCAN/Austin Rover aluminium Metro and be kept as light as possible
But at that time ARGwere struggling financially to stretch to the requires and a launch date of 1988 was set developement costs and a Government cash injection was used to save the K Series engine developement. The plan for an aluminium shell ended up being dropped on cost grounds and instead an all metal alternative path was followed the engines would be K-Series in 1.1-, 1.4- and a 1.4-litre Turbo forms scapping plans to develope a 100mpg three cylinder. due to costs and the increased weight.
The branding was to have been, Austin Metro, MG Metro, MG Metro Turbo, and luxury version would have been the Vanden Plas. The MG Midget name would have been used for the convertible and possibly coupe.
However the Margaret Thatcher led Government were pushing hard towards privatisation sooner rather than later. The AR6 was canned and instead the Metro received a makeover and sodiered on to the Rover 100
Many thanks for a Supersonic
53,499.464 views
Shot 29.05.2016 at Gaydon Motor Museum, Transport Show REF 119-171