| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1980 |
| Production Years: | 1980 - 1982 discontinued in 1982 |
The Austin Maxi II, produced from 1980 to 1982, represents the final iteration of the innovative and practical Maxi series from Austin. As a hatchback vehicle designed primarily for family use and everyday commuting, the Maxi II offered a unique blend of spaciousness and versatility in a compact form factor. This generation retained the Maxi's distinctive 5-door hatchback layout, providing excellent access and flexibility for passengers and cargo alike.
Measuring approximately 4,180 mm (164.6 inches) in length, the Austin Maxi II was considered roomy for its segment during the early 1980s. Its width spanned close to 1,650 mm (64.9 inches), allowing comfortable seating arrangements for up to five occupants. Standing at a height of roughly 1,430 mm (56.3 inches), the vehicle offered a balanced profile that contributed both to aerodynamic efficiency and urban maneuverability.
The hatchback design emphasized practicality, with a rear door that opened upwards, enabling easy loading and unloading of luggage, groceries, or other goods. The Maxi II was equipped with front-wheel drive, enhancing interior space by eliminating the need for a driveshaft tunnel and promoting better weight distribution. This setup also improved traction and handling in different driving conditions.
Weight-wise, the Austin Maxi II typically ranged around 1,000 to 1,100 kg (2,205 to 2,425 lbs), making it relatively lightweight which contributed to fuel efficiency and agile driving dynamics. The combination of its dimensions and weight made the Maxi II an ideal choice for small families or individuals seeking an economical yet spacious hatchback during the 1980 to 1982 period.
Overall, the Austin Maxi II hatchback remains a notable example of early 1980s compact family cars, reflecting the era's design ethos of combining functional space with straightforward engineering. Its practical hatchback format and respectable size make it a worthy contender when comparing classic hatchbacks from this period.
Discover the standout features that make the 1980 Austin Maxi II a leader in its class
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The Austin Maxi II, produced between 1980 and 1982, measures approximately 4,210 mm (165.7 inches) in length, 1,680 mm (66.1 inches) in width, and around 1,420 mm (55.9 inches) in height. These dimensions make the Maxi II a compact hatchback designed for urban and family use, balancing interior space and external footprint efficiently. The moderate size helps in maneuvering through city traffic while still offering comfortable seating for passengers.
The Austin Maxi II typically has a curb weight of approximately 1,030 kg (2,271 lbs). This moderate weight for a hatchback of its class contributes positively to its handling and fuel efficiency. The vehicle's weight distribution and suspension tuning are designed to offer a stable and comfortable ride, making it suitable for everyday commuting as well as longer journeys. The weight also influences braking performance and acceleration, ensuring a balanced driving experience.
The Austin Maxi II features a hatchback design offering versatile cargo space with rear seats that can be folded down to increase capacity. With the seats upright, the boot provides around 490 liters (17.3 cubic feet) of cargo volume, while folding the rear seats significantly expands this capacity, making it suitable for larger items or family luggage. This flexibility makes the Maxi II practical for family outings, shopping trips, and other everyday needs.
Yes, the Austin Maxi II fits comfortably into a standard residential garage. Standard garage dimensions typically range around 2,400 to 2,700 mm (94.5 to 106.3 inches) in width and 4,800 to 6,000 mm (189 to 236 inches) in length. With the Maxi II’s length of 4,210 mm (165.7 inches) and width of 1,680 mm (66.1 inches), it leaves sufficient space for maneuvering, opening doors, and additional storage, making it convenient for everyday garage parking.
The Austin Maxi II maintains very similar length dimensions compared to its predecessor, the original Austin Maxi, which measured approximately 4,215 mm (166 inches) in length. The slight difference, if any, is negligible. The main updates in the Maxi II focused more on interior features and mechanical enhancements rather than substantial changes in body dimensions. This consistency in size preserves the vehicle's familiar urban-friendly and practical proportions.
At 1,680 mm (66.1 inches) wide, the Austin Maxi II sits comfortably within the width range of compact hatchbacks from the late 1970s and early 1980s. Comparable models like the Volkswagen Golf Mk1 had similar widths, around 1,625 mm (64 inches), while others like the Ford Escort measured slightly less. This width offers a good balance between interior space for passengers and the ability to navigate narrow streets and parking spaces common in European cities.
The Austin Maxi II provides a reasonably spacious interior height, with the vehicle's exterior height at approximately 1,420 mm (55.9 inches). The cabin is designed to maximize passenger comfort, providing good headroom for front and rear occupants. Its hatchback design further enhances the feeling of openness, making it comfortable for taller passengers while maintaining a low overall profile to reduce aerodynamic drag.
The Austin Maxi II came equipped with a range of inline-four engines, most commonly with a 1.5L or 1.7L displacement, designed to offer a balance between performance and fuel economy. While exact fuel consumption varied by engine choice and driving conditions, the Maxi II performed competitively with other hatchbacks from the early 1980s, such as the Vauxhall Cavalier and Ford Escort. Its modest engine sizes contributed to reasonable fuel efficiency, making it economical for daily driving.
The Austin Maxi II retained much of the original model's design while incorporating modest mechanical improvements, such as suspension refinements and updated interior features for enhanced comfort. These changes aimed to improve ride quality and reliability. The driving experience of the Maxi II was characterized by its practicality and smooth, predictable handling, standing as a solid update to the original Maxi, albeit without radical redesigns or performance leaps.
Compared to contemporaries like the Volkswagen Golf Mk1, Ford Escort Mk3, and Vauxhall Astra Mk1, the Austin Maxi II is similar in length and width but distinguishes itself with its spacious interior and hatchback versatility. While many competitors focused extensively on sportier designs or higher performance trims, the Maxi II emphasized practicality and comfort. Its five-door layout and flexible cargo space made it especially attractive for families, aligning well with the market’s needs for robust, everyday hatchbacks.
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