Austin Rover: Maestro and Montego

The Maestro and Montego were launched by British Leyland in the early 1980s to make BL competitive in the lower-medium and upper-medium car sectors. The Maestro received praise for its roomy design and excellent ergonomics, but build quality and reliability issues tarnished its reputation. The MG Maestro Turbo was the fastest car in its class, while the Austin Montego came with a new S series engine and class-leading features. However, build-quality issues compromised both models.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2023
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

The Maestro and Montego, introduced in the early 1980s, shared a platform and were designed to make British Leyland (BL) competitive in the lower-medium and upper-medium car sectors. These models replaced BL models like the Austin Maxi, Morris ITAL, and Austin Allegro as part of a renewal strategy led by Michael Edwardes, the then-boss of BL. This captivating book delves into the development of both models as British Leyland strived to maintain its competitiveness in the volume car market.

Following the successful launch of the Mini Metro, there was high anticipation for the Maestro to consolidate and build on this advantage. Early signs were promising, with the Maestro receiving accolades for its spacious design, excellent ergonomics, and innovative technical features such as an electronic engine-management system, solid-state dashboard, and voice-synthesis warning and information system. It boasted both an A and R series engine and a new end-on transmission system. However, like many BL models, build quality and reliability issues began to tarnish the cars reputation.

The MG Maestro Turbo made a significant impact as the fastest car in its class, surpassing competitors like the Ford Escort XR3i and VW Golf GTi. Launched in 1984, the Austin Montego came equipped with a new S series engine and featured class-leading features such as self-levelling suspension, generous boot space, and rear-facing child seats in the estate version. It was praised for its good driving position and steering. Like the Maestro, however, build-quality issues compromised its performance.

In the fleet market, the Montego faced challenges in competing against rivals like the Ford Sierra and Vauxhall Cavalier. This was largely due to Ford and General Motors' better positioning to offer deep discounts compared to BL. By the time the Countryman estate was introduced, BL had already faced significant financial difficulties and was in the process of restructuring. The Maestro and Montego played a significant role in British Leyland's history, but their build quality and reliability issues ultimately contributed to the company's decline.

Weight: 274g
Dimension: 233 x 166 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398102156