1985 MG Metro 6R4

The third chapter in MG Motorsport arrived in the 1983, when rally driver Tony Pond had an entertaining season driving a 200 bhp MG Metro Turbo. Driving for Austin Rover Motorsport a year later, Patrick Watts joined Tony to created spectacular show. That year a turbocharged version of the MG Metro was revealed – the purpose-built 6R4, with a mid-mounted three litre quad-cam V6 and four-wheel drive, from a concept by Williams Grand Prix Engineering. It was made to comply with the unlimited Group B Rally regulations which pitted the car against the mighty Audi Quattro S1, Lancia Delta S4 and Ford RS200.

By the time the 6R4 team entered the 1985 RAC Rally, the car was delivering over 400 bhp, and Tony Pond aroused great patriotic fervour amongst spectators on way to third place for the season. Although the opposition now had the even more powerful turbo engines, the 6R4s battled on.

Pond was sixth in the 1986 RAC Rally, followed by three other 6R4s to take the team prize. 6R4 pilot, David Gillanders won the UK National Rally Championship in 1987 and Will Gollup used his 6R4 to win the 1986/87 Lydden Winter Rallycross Championship, going on eventually to take the European Rallycross title.

Since Group B cars were banned from International Rallying in 1987, the 6R4 became prematurely outdated, only by regulation.

In Detail

submitted by	Richard Owen
engine	90 Degree V6
position	Mid Longitudinal
valvetrain	DOHC 4 Valves per CYl
fuel feed	Lucas Electronic Injection
bore	92 mm / 3.62 in
stroke	75 mm / 2.95 in
compression	12.0:1
power	305.7 kw / 410 bhp @ 9000 rpm
torque	366.07 nm / 270 ft lbs @ 6500 rpm
driven wheels	4WD
f brake size	mm / in
r brake size	mm / in
gear ratios	:1