MG METRO 6R4
1986
In 1986 Prodrive ran a number of Metro 6R4s alongside the Porsche 911 SC RS. The Metro was a bespoke group B rally car, with the 6R4 standing for 6 cylinder, Rear engine, 4 wheel drive.
While its foundation was the humble 1980s Metro city car, the 6R4 was a special homologation with a 400+ bhp six cylinder engine filling the rear passenger compartment, four wheel drive and lightweight body work made from fibreglass. Weighing in at around 1000 kg it could accelerate to 60 mph from standstill in just 3.0 seconds and 110 mph in just 10 seconds.
Jimmy McRae competed in this particular car in the British Rally Championship with the car making its final appearance at the 1986 Lombard RAC Rally. At the end of 1986, the FIA banned group B cars from international competition as the cars had become too extreme and ultimately too dangerous. From 1987, Group A would become the top class in international rallying.
MG Metro 6R4
Results
1986
Circuit of Ireland BRC/ITC, Ireland
28 March - 2 April
J McRae/Grindrod RETIRED
Welsh – BRC, GB
3 - 4 May
J McRae/Grindrod 2ND
Scottish– BRC, GB
7 - 10 June
J McRae/Grindrod RETIRED
El Corte Ingles, Canaries
4 - 6 July
J McRae/Grindrod 3RD
Ulster – BRC/ITC, Ireland
8 - 9 August
J McRae/Grindrod 1ST
Manx – BRC/ITC, GB
11 - 13 September
J McRae/Grindrod 2ND
RAC – WRC, GB
16 - 19 November
J McRae/Grindrod 8TH
Specification
Engine
2991cc 6 cylinder
Twin overhead cam 24 valve
Bore/stroke: 92/75 mm
Compression ratio: 12:1
Ignition: Lucas Micos electronic
Fuel injection: Lucas Micos six point electronic
Dry sump
Power 410 bhp @ 9000 rpm
Torque 366 Nm @ 6500 rpm
Drivetrain
Four wheel drive
Five speed H pattern gearbox
AP twin plate clutch
Steering
Rack and pinion, 2.5 turns lock to lock
Suspension
Front: Independent, coil spring, strut and bottom wishbone. Bilstein telescopic gas filled dampers, anti-roll bar. Ride height, camber, toe-in and anti-roll are all adjustable
Rear: Independent, coil spring, strut bottom wishbone and trail link. Bilstein gas filled telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar. Ride height, camber, toe-in and anti-roll are all adjustable
Brakes
Dual circuit, with adjustable ratio split front to rear
Front: 12” ventilated discs four pot pistons
Rear: 12” ventilated discs four pot pistons
Handbrake: hydraulic lever acting on rear discs
Body
Three door bodyshell with glass reinforced plastic wheel arches and sills
Front and rear aerofoils
Fabricated front and rear chassis frames
Two main longitudinal chassis members
Integral full roll cage
Two seats with full rally harness. Fully instrumented dashboard (conventional Metro dash on homologation car)
Wheels
Dymag die-cast magnesium alloy with various Michelin tyres dependent on conditions
Weight & Dimensions
Length: 3657 mm
Width: 1880 mm
Height: 1500 mm
Wheelbase: 2391 mm
Front track: 1510 mm
Rear track: 1550 mm
Weight: 1040 kg