Austin Maxi: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Austin Maxi choice comes down to engine output, transmission, weight, and generation. The first generation, produced from 1969 to 1980, offers 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT versions with 74 hp, plus two distinct outputs under the repeated 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT names: 80 hp and 95 hp.
The Austin Maxi choice comes down to engine output, transmission, weight, and generation. The first generation, produced from 1969 to 1980, offers 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT versions with 74 hp, plus two distinct outputs under the repeated 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT names: 80 hp and 95 hp. The second generation, produced from 1980 to 1982, consists entirely of 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT versions, again distinguished by output: 72 hp or 91 hp. Every version is a Mini 5-doors with Gasoline power, FWD, a front transverse Inline 4-cylinder engine, and no boost. On the available figures, the first-generation 95 hp 1.8 MT offers the strongest combination of power, power-to-weight ratio, and measured top speed. The 95 hp 1.8 AT provides the same engine figures and measured speed with an Automatic gearbox.
Austin Maxi generations compared
The first-generation Austin Maxi ran from 1969 to 1980 as a Mini 5-doors and includes six versions. Its 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT use a 1,485 cc engine producing 74 hp and 114 Nm. Four 1.8 versions follow: 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT with 80 hp and 143 Nm, and another 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT with 95 hp and 145 Nm. Manual versions have 5 gears, while Automatic versions have 4 gears. Kerb weight is 978 kg for the 74 hp and 80 hp cars and 1,000 kg for the 95 hp cars. Ground clearance is 152 mm on the 74 hp and 80 hp versions and 140 mm on the 95 hp versions.
The second-generation Austin Maxi ran from 1980 to 1982, retaining the Mini 5-doors body and offering four versions. The 72 hp 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT produce 132 Nm from 1,748 cc and weigh 984 kg. The 91 hp 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT produce 141 Nm from 1,750 cc and weigh 995 kg. Every second-generation version has 140 mm of ground clearance. As before, the 1.8 MT has a 5-speed Manual gearbox and the 1.8 AT has a 4-speed Automatic gearbox.
Choosing the newer generation does not automatically mean receiving more power. The second-generation 72 hp engine has 8 hp less than the first-generation 80 hp unit and 23 hp less than the first-generation 95 hp unit. Even the second-generation 91 hp engine remains 4 hp below the strongest first-generation specification. The newer 91 hp car is, however, 5 kg lighter than the first-generation 95 hp car.
Austin Maxi engine and specs
Repeated version names must be read together with their generation and power output. In particular, 1.8 MT can mean 80 hp or 95 hp in the first generation and 72 hp or 91 hp in the second generation. The same distinction applies to 1.8 AT.
| Generation and exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 1.5 MT, 74 hp | 74 hp | 114 Nm | 1,485 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation 1.5 AT, 74 hp | 74 hp | 114 Nm | 1,485 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First generation 1.8 MT, 80 hp | 80 hp | 143 Nm | 1,748 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation 1.8 AT, 80 hp | 80 hp | 143 Nm | 1,748 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First generation 1.8 MT, 95 hp | 95 hp | 145 Nm | 1,748 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation 1.8 AT, 95 hp | 95 hp | 145 Nm | 1,748 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second generation 1.8 MT, 72 hp | 72 hp | 132 Nm | 1,748 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second generation 1.8 AT, 72 hp | 72 hp | 132 Nm | 1,748 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second generation 1.8 MT, 91 hp | 91 hp | 141 Nm | 1,750 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second generation 1.8 AT, 91 hp | 91 hp | 141 Nm | 1,750 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
Engine output per litre helps separate versions that otherwise share the same 1.8 MT or 1.8 AT name. The first-generation 74 hp 1,485 cc engine delivers about 49.8 hp per litre. Its 80 hp 1,748 cc counterpart produces about 45.8 hp per litre, while the 95 hp 1,748 cc engine reaches about 54.3 hp per litre. In the second generation, the 72 hp 1,748 cc engine produces about 41.2 hp per litre and the 91 hp 1,750 cc engine produces 52.0 hp per litre. The first-generation 95 hp engine therefore has the highest specific output in the catalogue data.
The 1.8 engine is not always the strongest choice relative to its capacity. Compared with the first-generation 1.5 versions, the first-generation 80 hp 1.8 adds 263 cc, 6 hp, and 29 Nm. The first-generation 95 hp 1.8 adds the same 263 cc but provides 21 hp and 31 Nm more than the 74 hp 1.5.
Austin Maxi performance and mpg
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is not measured for any Austin Maxi version in the supplied data. City fuel consumption, highway fuel consumption, and combined fuel consumption are also not measured for every version. Consequently, no supported Austin Maxi mpg comparison can be made between engines, transmissions, or generations.
Top speed is measured only for the first generation. The 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT with 74 hp are each listed at 142 km/h. The 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT with 80 hp are also listed at 142 km/h. The first-generation 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT with 95 hp reach 163 km/h, a measured advantage of 21 km/h over the 74 hp and 80 hp versions. Top speed is not measured for any second-generation version.
The best weight-to-power result belongs to the first-generation 95 hp 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT: 1,000 kg divided by 95 hp gives about 10.5 kg per hp. The second-generation 91 hp versions follow at about 10.9 kg per hp. The first-generation 80 hp versions carry about 12.2 kg per hp, the first-generation 74 hp cars about 13.2 kg per hp, and the second-generation 72 hp versions about 13.7 kg per hp. On this arithmetic, the 95 hp first-generation cars have roughly 23 percent less weight per horsepower than the second-generation 72 hp cars.
Transmission choice does not alter the listed power, torque, kerb weight, or measured top speed within any matching engine pair. The documented difference is the gearbox: 1.5 MT and 1.8 MT versions have a 5-speed Manual, whereas 1.5 AT and 1.8 AT versions have a 4-speed Automatic. Fuel-economy figures are not measured, so the data does not support claiming that either transmission consumes less fuel.
Austin Maxi dimensions, weight, and clearance
Body length, width, height, and wheelbase are not measured in the supplied data, so a numerical Austin Maxi dimensions or length comparison is not possible. Gross weight is not measured for any version. Fuel-tank capacity is not measured, and wheel sizes are not measured.
Kerb weight provides a useful distinction. The first-generation 1.5 MT, 1.5 AT, 80 hp 1.8 MT, and 80 hp 1.8 AT each weigh 978 kg. The first-generation 95 hp 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT weigh 1,000 kg, an increase of 22 kg accompanied by 15 hp over the 80 hp versions. The second-generation 72 hp 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT weigh 984 kg, while the 91 hp 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT weigh 995 kg. The stronger second-generation specification therefore adds 19 hp for an 11 kg increase.
Ground clearance is 152 mm on the first-generation 74 hp and 80 hp versions. It falls by 12 mm to 140 mm on the first-generation 95 hp versions. All second-generation cars also have 140 mm of ground clearance. Buyers prioritizing the highest listed clearance should therefore compare the first-generation 1.5 MT, 1.5 AT, 80 hp 1.8 MT, and 80 hp 1.8 AT.
Every listed version uses Independent, spring suspension at both ends, front Disc brakes, and rear Drum brakes. Those specifications do not provide a basis for preferring one engine or transmission over another.
Which Austin Maxi version should you buy?
For the strongest supported performance case, choose the first-generation 1.8 MT with 95 hp. Its 1,748 cc engine develops 145 Nm, it has the best calculated output per litre at about 54.3 hp, and its approximately 10.5 kg-per-hp figure is the best in the range. Its measured 163 km/h top speed is also 21 km/h higher than the other first-generation specifications. The trade-off is a 1,000 kg kerb weight and 140 mm of ground clearance.
Choose the first-generation 1.8 AT with 95 hp if an Automatic gearbox is the priority. It retains the same 95 hp, 145 Nm, 1,000 kg kerb weight, 140 mm clearance, and 163 km/h measured top speed as the matching 1.8 MT, but uses a 4-speed Automatic instead of a 5-speed Manual.
For the strongest second-generation option, select the 1.8 MT with 91 hp or the 1.8 AT with 91 hp. Each provides 19 hp and 9 Nm more than the second-generation 72 hp equivalent while adding only 11 kg. The 91 hp versions also use a 9.5 compression ratio rather than 8.75. Choose between them according to the listed 5-speed Manual or 4-speed Automatic transmission; performance and economy differences between those gearboxes are not measured.
The first-generation 1.8 MT with 80 hp and 1.8 AT with 80 hp suit a buyer who values torque and the higher 152 mm clearance. Compared with the 74 hp 1.5 versions, they add 6 hp and 29 Nm without increasing the listed 978 kg kerb weight. Their measured top speed remains the same at 142 km/h, however, so the supplied figures do not show a speed advantage.
The first-generation 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT are the smallest-engine choices at 1,485 cc. Each produces 74 hp and 114 Nm, weighs 978 kg, and has 152 mm of clearance. The Manual or Automatic decision should be made on gearbox preference because acceleration and fuel consumption are not measured.
On catalogue evidence alone, the first-generation 95 hp 1.8 MT is the clearest all-round performance choice, the 95 hp 1.8 AT is its Automatic counterpart, and the second-generation 91 hp pair is the preferred option for buyers specifically seeking the later generation. Claims about Austin Maxi problems, reliability, engine swaps, parts availability, prices, or cars for sale cannot be supported by the supplied specifications.