1993 in motoring

United Kingdom

The Mondeo is Ford's successor to the Sierra - and this year's European Car of the Year. It comes with a range of 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 petrol engines as well as a 1.8 turbo-diesel, with a 2.5 V6 to follow next year. All models get power steering, driver's airbag, anti-lock brakes, electric front windows and a radio/cassette player as standard. Some models also have extras such as alloy wheels, passenger airbag, air-conditioning and leather upholstery as standard. After three years of falling behind Vauxhall's Cavalier, Ford appears to have come up with the answer of regaining pole position in the large family car sector. Also for Ford in 1993 they have decided to call time on the Orion, and after 10 years of the models independence in September this year it will join the Escort range from what it was originally created.

Rover has expanded its range with the launch of the 600 Series, a compact executive saloon which competes with the likes of the BMW 3 Series but is actually based upon the more downmarket Honda Accord. It uses Rover's own 1.8 and 2.0 16-valve K Series engines, and comes with a luxurious interior as well as a stylish exterior. It is not a sports saloon in the same vein as the BMW 3 Series, but as an affordable luxury cruiser it has few peers.

Vauxhall has replaced the decade-old Nova with the completely new Corsa. It is a stylish compact hatchback which has a surprisingly spacious interior, as well as being cheap to buy and run. Its 1.0, 1.2, 1.4 and 1.6 petrol engines are not particularly strong-performing, but offer strong fuel economy - as does the 1.5 turbo-diesel which debuted in the Nova three years ago.

Following the insolvency of DAF NV (see the Netherlands section), Leyland DAF went into receivership. Two new independent British companies were established as the result of management buyouts of the respective parts of the old company: Leyland Trucks in Leyland, Lancashire took over the UK truck manufacturing interests, and LDV Limited in Birmingham took over the van making business.

France

The Peugeot 306 is successor to the 309 and is the second phase in the gradual demise of the long-running and hugely popular 205, though it is closer in size to the 309. It comes with 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 petrol engines as well as an impressively refined and economical 1.9 diesel. Equipment levels are good, with most models getting power steering, driver's airbag and electric front windows as standard equipment. It is also a more attractively styled car than the likes of the Ford Escort and Vauxhall/Opel Astra, but its key strengths are its excellent ride and handling as well as its impressive diesel units. The car's chassis is derived from the Citroen ZX, which went on sale two years ago.

PSA has also strengthened its position in the large family car sector with the launch of the all-new Xantia, a five-door hatchback which replaces the 11-year-old BX. It is slightly larger than its predecessor, and comes with a decent range of economical and smooth-riding petrol and diesel engines. Its most distinctive feature is the standard inclusion of self-levelling oleo-pneumatic suspension which in true Citroen fashion gives it a unique feature in a mainstream market.

Renault has responded to new launches from the likes of Citroen and Ford by bringing out an all-new family car to replace its ageing R21. The Laguna is a stylish, spacious and comfortable five-door hatchback which comes with 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 petrol engines as well as impressively refined and economical 1.9 and 2.2 turbo-diesel units. The hatchback is the only current model in the new Laguna range, though an estate version is due at a later date to succeed the R21-based Savanna.

Germany

Mercedes-Benz has pulled the plug on ten years of 190E production and launched an all-new competitor for the BMW 3 Series. The C-Class is a four-door compact executive saloon with classy styling inside and out. It is slightly more expensive that most similar-sized cars, but its premium price is justified by high levels of equipment, refinement and quality.

Sweden

Saab has launched an all-new version of its hugely popular 900 range, 14 years after the original version was launched. The new Saab 900 uses the same chassis as the current Vauxhall Cavalier/Opel Vectra, but is a far more distinctively-styled car. It perpetuates the traditional Saab virtues of individuality, safety, quality and refinement, while offering a good level of ride comfort and driver appeal.

Spain

SEAT, the Spanish subsidisary of Volkswagen, has introduced an all-new version of the Ibiza supermini to give it a long-awaited credible rival for the class-leading likes of the Renault Clio and Peugeot 106. Styled by world famous Italian designer Giugiaro, the latest Ibiza is a far cry from its predecessor. Stylish, well-equipped and fun to drive, its build quality is much improved and just shows how successful Volkswagen has been in rejuvenating the previously downmarket SEAT brand. Power comes from 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 petrol engines as well as a 1.9 diesel. All of these units will find their way into the forthcoming new Volkswagen Polo, while the larger two petrol engines will also power the Cordoba - a four-door saloon based on the Ibiza running gear.

Netherlands

DAF NV became insolvent. DAF Trucks was re-established as an independent truck maker following a management buyout of the Dutch interests of the company. Similar actions occurred in the UK (see the United Kingdom section) with respect to the company's British arm "Leyland DAF".

ee also

*1992 in motoring - the previous year
*1994 in motoring - the next year