A 1000S coupé was tested by the British The Motor magazine in 1960 and had a top speed of and could accelerate from 0- in 23.6 seconds. A fuel consumption of was recorded. The test car cost £1259 including taxes on the UK market. In the same year, the much larger Austin Westminster retailed for only £1148 in the UK, reflecting, in particular, the extent to which British automakers were still protected by import tariffs in their home market.
