2001 in motoring

United Kingdom

MG Rover has had a busy first full year of business after the sell-off by BMW, with the launch of its ZR, ZS and ZT/ZT-T sports models.

The ZR is based on the Rover 25 supermini, but offers more in the way of performance and style, as well as a range-topping 2.0 engined version which produces 160bhp and is capable of well over 130mph. It is fun to drive but is let down by a cramped interior and suspect build quality.

The ZS is based on the Rover 45 family hatchback and saloon, and is a world away from its Rover twin when it comes to driver enjoyment. All of the ZS range offers an entertaining driving experience, but the fastest version - the ZS180 - is one of the best-handling cars ever to wear the famous red octagon badge and delivers a top speed of around 140mph.

The ZT is based on the prestigious Rover 75 executive sedan, and maintains all of its donor car's traditional touches - but with a sportier feel. All of the current models are good to drive, but there are plans for a rear-wheel drive version of the ZT which has a 3.5 V8 engine and a top speed of more than 160mph.

The ZT-T is the MG version of the Rover 75 estate, and is every bit as good to drive as the saloon, as well as having plenty of loadspace.

Production of the all-new BMW-built MINI has begun. It is instantly recognisable as a successor its classical predecessor, but is in reality a far more modern, powerful and expensive machine. It offers modern extras including electric windows and air-conditioning, but most impressively it comes with a 1.6 litre engine currently available with two power outputs. The entry-level MINI is the MINI One, which is the least powerful model in the range but is nevertheless huge fun to drive. The more powerful MINI Cooper is an impressively swift and enjoyable small car which promises to capitalise on the characteristics that made the original Mini Cooper such a success. An even more powerful MINI Cooper S is due on sale in 2002.

Jaguar has expanded its range further to include the X-Type, a compact executive saloon with four-wheel drive that shares its underpinnings with Ford's recently-launched front-wheel drive Mondeo. It also shares its 2.5 V6 engine with the Mondeo, but comes with a more upmarket interior that gives the BMW 3 Series a run for its money.

Land Rover has launched the third generation Range Rover with an all-new bodyshell that somehow manages to keep the look of its predecessors. The new off-roader is bound to win many fans thanks to its exceptionally stylish interior and exterior, high levels of luxury and superb off-road ability.

France

After eight years on sale, during which time it became Peugeot's most popular car ever sold in Britain, the Peugeot 306 has finally ceased production to make way for the all-new 307. It is a bigger, more practical car than its predecessor, thanks to its higher roof, but maintains the traditional Peugeot characteristics of excellent ride and handling. It comes with a competent range of engines, from a slow but economical 1.4 to a swift 2.0. As usual, there is an excellent diesel engine on offer - a 2.0 direct injection unit with either 90bhp or 110bhp. The hatchback is currently the only model on offer, but it has impressed Europe's motoring journalists enough to be voted European Car of the Year. Production of the 306 estate and cabriolet will continue for another year until the 307-based successors are launched.

Citroën has pulled the plug on Xantia production after eight years to make way for the all-new C5. First of a new generation of Citroëns which will adopt Audi-style number-and-letter designations, the C5 is a quirky-looking range of large saloons and estates which offer high levels of equipment and comfort but very little in the way of excitement. As usual, there will be an excellent diesel engine on offer, and the C5's oil-burner will be an ultra-smooth 2.2 direct injection unit.

Renault has given its Clio supermini a mid-life makeover to keep it competitive until the launch of the all-new model in approximately three years' time. Apart from the significant front-end restyle, the latest Clio has been fitted with an extremely economical 1.5 direct injection diesel to replace the previous 1.9 unit. Apart from that, it is the same car as the quirky-looking, easy-driving and spacious small car that has proved hugely popular all over Europe since its 1998 launch.

Germany

Audi has brought out a new Cabriolet based on its recently-launched A4 saloon. It is significant for being Audi's first diesel-engined open top car, with the option of the Volkswagen Group's highly acclaimed 1.9 turbo-diesel unit.

Italy

For the last six years, the Fiat Brava and Bravo have competed in Europe's most competitive sector and on their launch they were European Car of the Year winners thanks largely to their distinctive styling. But time has dulled the looks of these cars, though they were kept competitive by low prices and a spacious interior. Their successor, the Stilo, has gone on sale in Europe and will be due in Britain early next year. It uses many of the Brava/Bravo power units, but new to the range is a 2.4 five-cylinder engine that produces 160bhp and exceeds 130mph. The five-door Stilo is a high-roofed hatchback which maximises on interior space in the vein of the Brava/Bravo's predecessor (the Tipo), while the three-door version is a much more stylish proposition. An estate version is due on sale next year, but there are no plans for a saloon version. The consequence of this is that the Brava/Bravo-based Marea will remain on sale for at least another couple of years.

Japan

The world's best selling car has been completely updated. Toyota's latest version of the Corolla family car is at long last a real rival for its European counterparts. It is a decent-looking vehicle which offers a class-leading interior as well as impressive ride and handling. It comes with smooth and economical VVTi petrol engines as well as the option of a Peugeot-sourced diesel. Most impressively, there will also be a 2.0 T-Sport hot hatchback which is exceptionally powerful and leaves the Golf GTI standing at more than 140mph. There will also be a four-door saloon and a Corolla Verso mini MPV for buyers who buy with practicality in mind.

Honda has entered the supermini market with the Jazz. Reviving a name which briefly appeared on a short-lived city car back in the mid 1980s, the Jazz is one of the most credible small cars on sale. Its high roof allows for class-leading levels of interior space, while its 1.2 and 1.4 petrol engines are smooth and economical. Combined with the traditional Honda virtues of solid build quality and bullet-proof reliability, the Jazz looks set to be success in Europe.

The first major product of the Nissan-Renault venture has appeared - the Nissan Primera. It shares its underpinnings with the latest Renault Laguna, and its stylish exterior is a far cry from the bland styling of the previous Primera. Its stylish, solid and spacious interior is one of the finest found on any family car, while its 1.8 and 2.0 petrol engines and 2.2 direct injection diesel are well matched to the smooth riding chassis. And with hatchback, saloon and estate bodystyles available, it gives its rivals a competitor at just about every level.

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