The Austin Mini Metro, as it was initially termed, set out to take on the world but was unapologetic in first and foremost aiming squarely at the Mini. It arrived in October 1980, offered in both 998cc and 1275cc variants thanks to its use of Mini mechanicals. Its A-Series engine was a familiar design, albeit reworked for the model in A-Plus guise; and there was even an automatic version that used the Mini’s four-speed AP gearbox.
By 1981, the Mini Metro naming convention was gone. But more significant in terms of names was the rebirth of MG the following year, with the Metro being badge-engineered into the MG Metro, followed by the MG Metro Turbo a few months later. The Metro as a whole was really gaining momentum by then, being Britain’s bestselling car in 1982 and again in ’84, which is when a revised interior, updated
