Austin Maxi
| Austin Maxi | |
|---|---|
1980 BL Maxi MkII 1750 HLS | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Austin (British Leyland) |
| Also called |
|
| Production | 1969–1981 |
| Assembly | United Kingdom: Cowley, Oxford, England Yugoslavia: Novo Mesto (IMV) New Zealand: Petone (AMI) |
| Designer | Sir Alec Issigonis |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 5-door hatchback |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | E-Series 1,485 cc (90.6 cu in), 74 bhp and 1,748 cc (106.7 cu in), 84 or 95 bhp |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual all-synchromesh 4-speed automatic optional from 1974 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 104.75 in (2,661 mm) |
| Length | 159 in (4,039 mm) |
| Width | 64 in (1,626 mm) |
| Height | 54.5 in (1,384 mm) |
| Kerb weight | 2,156 lb (978 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Austin A60 Cambridge |
| Successor | Austin Maestro |
The Austin Maxi is a medium-sized, 5-door hatchback family car that was produced by Austin and later British Leyland between 1969 and 1981.
Despite its practical design and remarkable space efficiency (it is shorter, narrower and lower than the sixth generation Ford Fiesta), the Maxi never came close to reaching its projected sales targets. Just under half a million were built over a 12 year period. BL management decisions involving the Maxi had significant knock-on effects to the rest of the car line-up. BL marketing decreed that the Maxi should be the only car in the range to feature a hatchback. This stance prevented the Austin Allegro and Princess models gaining hatchbacks despite those designs being capable of receiving them.