Austin Montego/Montego (LM11). 1984–8 (prod. 546,000 approx. incl. Mk II). 4-door saloon, 5-door estate. F/F, 1275, 1598, 1994 cm³ (I4 OHC). Long-wheelbase Maestro platform allied to saloon body, with estates in 1985. Third car in Austin Rover’s supposed recovery (after Metro and Maestro), though looked behind the times and less cohesive alongside Ford Sierra Mk I, launched 1983. Roomier than most rivals, more so with estate. Fairly smooth engine; engine’s computer control caused glitches. Solid-state instrument panel considered very up-to-date, but talking computer (Nicolette McKenzie provided the recorded voice) with warnings prone to problems and was soon deleted. Build-quality niggles in early models. Austin marque began disappearing in 1987, with two two-tone models, 1·6L and 2·0Si—both featured Montego badge and were officially marqueless.

Manufacturing location: Cowley, Oxfordshire, England

Marque: Austin | Model: Austin Montego | Predecessors: Austin Ambassador, Morris Ital | Successor: Montego (1988–94)

q.v. MG Montego