Metro 6R4 Rally Car
MG Metro 6R4
1989 MG Metro Turbo
Manufacturer: Austin Rover Group
Production: 1984-6
Body style: 3-door hatchback
Platform: MR
Engine: 2991cc V6 DOHC
bore and stroke of 92×75mm
power output of 250bhp or 380bhp dependent upon spec
Transmission: Manual five speed
Related: MG Metro
Created for the short lived Group B race category, the 4WD mid engined MG 6R4 (6-cylinder, rally car, four-wheel-drive) Metro of 1984 was a world away from the best selling supermini on which it was based. The competition car bore only a superficial resemblance to the production Metro as it featured a four wheel drive transmission, and only two seats. The development of this vehicle had been entrusted to Williams Grand Prix Engineering.
The resulting car was shown to the world in May 1985. It was powered by a 3-litre V6 powerplant, featuring twin overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. The engine was a break from the norm, as it wasn't turbocharged as the majority of its competitors were. The engine was mounted back to front in the car, with the forward end of the engine facing the hatchback and the gearbox attached conventionally behind it and, therefore, in the middle of the car. The four wheel drive was permanently engaged, and drove separate propshafts to the front and rear wheels. The bodywork was made of plastic, with the only exception being the steel doors. These were, however, concealed by plastic airboxes. Indeed, models now on show generally have stickers demonstrating where it is safe to push from when moving the vehicle, so as not to damage the bodywork.
The 6R4 appeared in two guises. There was a so called Clubman model which developed in the region of 250bhp, of which around 200 were made. A further 20 were built to International specifications which required a 410bhp engine.
At its launch in 1985 Rover announced that it would complete the necessary number of cars required for homologation by November of that year. This was undertaken at the group's large manufacturing facility at Longbridge. The car was to participate in the Lombard RAC rally of November 1985, and an example placed a highly respectable third, behind two Lancia Deltas.
This good start was unfortunately not repeated, and although a 6R4 was entered in rallies at Monte Carlo, Sweden, Portugal and Corsica in the 1986 season, none of the Metros managed to complete a course. The majority of these problems were related to the V6 powerplant which suffered teething issues. Indeed, since that time there has been a lot of talk of the engines have being underdeveloped before being entered into competition. Halfway during the 1986 season Group B was banned, following a series of fatal crashes in which both competitors and spectators lost their lives. From that point on, the 6R4 was always going to be limited in front line competition, although they were ran with limited success for the remainder of the year. A number passed into private hands and have proved formidable rally and rallycross cars.
Austin Rover withdrew from the rallying scene at the end of the season, but in 1987 all the parts and engines were sold to Tom Walkinshaw Racing, whereupon the V6 engine reappeared under the bonnet of the Jaguar XJ220, this time with turbochargers added.
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