1989 in motoring

United Kingdom

As the decade draws to a close, many British manufacturers have new models on the way for a new decade. The most significant of these is the latest incarnation of the Ford Fiesta. It uses the same floorplan as the original 1976 version, but an entirely new bodyshell which for the first time is available with five doors as well as three. The range will run from an economical 1.0 unit to a 1.6 8-valve CVH powerhouse which will fit under the bonnet of the sporty XR2i, which has fuel injection. There will also be a well-equipped 1.4 Ghia with electric front windows and the option of anti-lock brakes. It is competitively priced, modern-looking and offers a wide range of engines and trim levels, and it looks set to continue the old model's outstanding sales success.

For Rover Group plc the big news of 1989 was the launch of an entirely new 200 Series, which unlike the previous four-door saloon, is a hatchback available with three or five doors. The saloon version goes on sale in the new year. The new 200 Series is powered by an excellent range of new K-Series petrol engines ranging from 1.4 to 2.0 litres. There will also be a 1.8 turbo-diesel. Equipment levels and interior design are both impressive, and the car is competitively priced considering its packaging and technical innovation. The hatchback is marketed as a Ford Escort rival, but the slightly larger saloon will be competing against the likes of the Ford Sierra and Vauxhall Cavalier. The launch of these new model ranges will see Maestro and Montego production pruned back, while a new version of the Metro will go on sale next year.

Jaguar has become part of the Ford combine, five years after being privatised in its sell-off from British Leyland. There were no new car launches for Jaguar in 1989, but the next two years will see the re-introduction of the XJS cabriolet as well as an all-new supercar - the XJ220 - which is set to be the fastest production car in the world.

Vauxhall has re-entered the coupe market, eight years after the Cavalier Sport Hatch went out of production. The new entrant in this sector is the Calibra, which is based on the front-wheel drive chassis of the latest Cavalier. It uses the Cavalier's 2.0 8-valve and 16-valve engines, and a turbocharged version with four-wheel drive is due in 1991.

France

Renault has enjoyed success in Europe's most competitive car sector with the launch of its R19 range, a three- and five-door hatchback aimed at the likes of the Ford Escort and Volkswagen Golf. It succeeds the outdated R9 and R11 ranges, and is powered by 1.4 and 1.7 petrol engines as well as a 1.9 diesel. A 16-valve version of the 1.7 engine is expected later, as is a cabriolet bodystyle.

Peugeot has launched its first serious rival for the BMW 5 Series in the shape of its new 605 range. A four-door saloon with 2.0 four-cylinder and 2.9 V6 petrol engines as well as a 2.1 turbo-diesel, the 605 is a stylish, comfortable, spacious and well-equipped executive cruiser with excellent ride and handling. It is also more competitively priced than most other cars in its sector, and could be the much-needed answer to Peugeot's need to succeed outside its homeland with large cars.

Citroen has replaced its long-running CX range with the all-new XM. It is the most distinctive and characterful Citroen currently on sale, with its quirky wedge shape and self-levelling oleo-pneumatic suspension which allows for an excellent ride quality. The interior is spacious, well-equipped and comfortable. Its engines are all sourced from the less distinctive Peugeot 605, but unlike its Peugeot twin the XM is available as an estate as well as a saloon. The saloon is a practical and spacious car, but the estate is one of the world's most capacious load carriers.

Germany

Mercedes-Benz has launched an all-new version of its SL sports car for the first time in 18 years. The latest version is available with a 3.0 V6 or 5.0 V8, both of which offer high performance, superb handling, rock solid build quality, cast-iron reliability, luxurious equipment and unbeatable exclusivity. It is a real rival for the Porsche 911, and offers much more in the way of refinement than its German rival.

BMW has replaced the 13-year-old 6 Series with the entirely new 850i. The 6 Series bore a strong family resemblance to the BMW range of its era, but the new 850i is an individually designed grand tourer with a swift 5.0 V8 engine and supercar qualities which make it a match for some Ferraris. Equipment levels, build quality, reliability and comfort are all superb, with an excellent chassis to match. There are proposals for an ultra-quick M8 supercar, but convertible fans will be disappointed to hear that BMW has no plans for an open-top version of the 8 Series.

Italy

The Fiat Regata saloon and "Weekend" estate have ceased production to be replaced by the Tipo-based Tempra saloon and "Station Wagon". It is powered by the same 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 petrol engines which power the more upmarket Tipo models, but offers a bigger boot. The Station Wagon comes with the option of seven seats, which makes it a credible rival for the Renault Savanna. UK sales begin in the New Year.

Lancia has launched a new saloon version of the Delta - the Dedra - to replace the outdated Prisma. It uses the same engine and chassis as the hatchback, and is also available with a 2.0 turbo engine from the brilliant Delta Integrale. The Dedra has a massive boot and a spacious, comfortable interior, as well as the distinctive Lancia styling which makes the marque's whole range stand out from the mainstream crowd.

Japan

Mazda has sparked off fresh interest in the almost dead roadster market across Europe with the launch of its new MX5 two-seater roadster. It offers a distinctive style harking back to the 1968 Lotus Elan, and is seen by many as what a modern day MG sports car should have been. Its 1.6 engine offers performance more akin to a hot hatchback than a supercar, but its ride and handling are excellent and it is in keeping with the Mazda tradition of excellent build quality.

Nissan has launched an all-new 200SX 2+2 sports coupe to compete with the Honda Prelude and Toyota Celica. It is powered by a 2.0 16-valve turbo engine and is capable of nearly 140mph. Ride and handling are also excellent, though the power-assisted steering is a bit over-light for some tastes. The exterior's superb styling is not carried through to the interior, where masses of grey plastic give it a very downmarket look.

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