Austin Montego
Austin Montego (1984-1988)
The Austin Montego was a car model of the British manufacturer BMC. It was produced from early 1984 until the end of 1994.
The Montego was based on the platform of the proposed end of 1982 Maestro. It was available as a four-door notchback sedan and five-door station wagon. The most striking feature of the sedan was the third side window is connected to the rear window into one unit. The combination could be ordered as a seven-seater, and was occasionally sold under the name Rover Montego Estate. After several revisions, the production (such as the Maestro) was discontinued in late 1994.
- 3.1 MG Montego 2.0 EFi / 2.0 i ( 1984-1993 )
- 3.2 MG Montego Turbo ( 1985-1991)
- 3.3 Montego Vanden Plas (1984-1987 )
Prehistory
1973 British Leyland was close to bankruptcy. The blame for this in addition to the oil crisis, a product range that went past the continental European taste, and an image problem. Saved the company in 1975 was the nationalization.
A year later the much needed development of a new range of vehicles initially began under the codename LC10. The aim was to develop a platform for both vehicles in the compact class as well as for the middle class in order to save costs. Therefore, the project was divided into two sub-projects: LM10, the basis for the new Austin Maestro, LM11 has been developed to the Montego. The models Austin Maxi ( 1969), Morris Marina ( 1971) and Austin Allegro (1973 ) should be replaced with it. The Ford Escort and Cortina models were identified as the main competitors. Finally, was the successor to the Austin Montego Maxi and Morris Marina - successor model Morris Ital.
Model History
One year after the introduction of the Maestro Montego was launched in spring 1984 in southern France. About 60 percent of the parts were identical to those of the smaller Maestro. The estate version Montego Estate was released in fall 1984. Convinced you with a large and variable loading space and became the most successful model of the Montego series. From autumn 1988, the combination could be ordered as a seven-seater.
Facelift
In the fall of 1988, the Montego received his only major facelift. Inside, the instrument panel has been redesigned externally visible are the revised vehicles on the grille of the larger Rover 800, as well as redesigned rear lights and revised hubcaps. At the same time the revision was offered the Montego as Diesel ( MDi ). These were to a turbo diesel, which had a two -liter displacement and 60 kW (82 PS ) carried out.
Rear view
Rover Montego Estate ( 1993)
Special versions
MG Montego 2.0 EFi / 2.0 i ( 1984-1993 )
From a MG Montego version with a 2.0 liter engine and electronic fuel injection was offered. This made 85 kW ( 115 hp) at 5500 / min and accelerated the car to a top speed of 185 km / h Visible are the vehicles to standard front and rear spoilers. Inside they were equipped with red seat belts, leather and carpets. Central locking, electric front windows and a cassette radio with four speakers were also part of the standard equipment. The most controversial detail of the decor was the dash with digital displays and speaking on-board computer. Because many buyers were deterred from a conventional dashboard was built as early as the end of 1984 again. Today vehicles with the original equipment have been highly sought.
MG Montego Turbo (1985-1991)
In the spring of 1985 appeared with the Montego Turbo a stronger MG version, which was equipped with a Garret T3 turbocharger and 110 kW ( 150 PS ) carried out. Thus, the car reached a top speed of over 200 km / h and acceleration in less than 8 seconds from 0 to 100 km / h
Montego Vanden Plas (1984-1987)
In addition to the MG version existed a luxurious Vanden Plas version. The vehicles were with leather seats (combi: Suede ) equipped, electrically adjustable exterior mirrors, central locking and sunroof. Also an automatic version was available. In Germany, these vehicles were not offered.
Resonance
The press was impressed by the vehicle from the start bit. Detail defects and processing errors were already on at the demonstration. The design of the new vehicle was described as too conservative, especially compared with the published in September 1982 Ford Sierra.
Despite the success of the station wagon version of the Montego could never fulfill the set up to expectations. One of the reasons was, as studies revealed later, his boring image. The marketing department tried indeed to generate services for younger buyers like the 2.0 Si and to underline motorized models such as the 1.3 liter from the program; Ultimately, however, it failed to improve the image of Montegos sustainable.
Another reason was that Leyland Cars launched the model as Austin. Given the large number of brands, which were available to the company, this was a wrong decision: Austin had the image of a small car provider and thus stood in contrast to the objective image of a higher quality vehicle. In the late 1980s, was born into account: The vehicles were fitted with a modified Rover logo, the name " Rover " was not visible on the car.
At the end of 1994, the production of the Montego was adjusted. The last copy made was a station. A total of 571 460 vehicles left the assembly lines, which were sold 436,000 in the UK.
Licensed production
After the end of production in the UK made the Indian automobile manufacturer Sipani 1995 and 1996, about 300 copies of the Montego in CKD construction.