2002 in motoring

=United Kingdom=

Ford ends 90 years of building cars in Britain when the Dagenham plant finishes Fiesta production in February, but it will remain open for the production of vans and the development of engines. The all-new Fiesta, a more practical and solid design, will be built at the Valencia plant in Spain. Its smooth-riding front-wheel drive chassis also spawns a quirky estate/MPV crossover called the Fusion. Another addition to the range will be a Peugeot-sourced 1.4 turbo-diesel engine.

Vauxhall strengthens its position in the large family car sector with an all-new Vectra which is built in Britain and is much better than its predecessor, though not quite as stylish or good to drive as some of the best cars in its class. Its chassis also spawns an unusual hatchback called the Signum, which offers almost unbeatable space and comfort on a European family car.

Land Rover wows the world with an entirely new version of its luxurious Range Rover. Style, quality and luxury are taken to new heights, and it attracts a great deal of praise from many admirers. The smaller Discovery gets a facelift four years after its launch, but an all-new replacement is not due for at least another couple of years.

France

The all-new Renault Megane is one of the most unconventional-looking family hatchbacks to be launched in recent years, but it has earned the European Car of the Year award thanks to its bold design, practical interior, improved handling and impressive 1.9 direct-injection diesel engine. The initial bodystyles are three- and five-door hatchbacks, but there will be a saloon, estate (SportsTourer) and coupe-cabriolet next year, as well as the Scenic compact MPV.

Renault has also re-entered the executive car sector with its exceptionally unusual Vel Satis, a spacious five-door hatchback which is easily the largest production hatchback ever made in Europe.

Citroen Saxo production is winding down after six years following the launch of the stylish new C3 - a five-door hatchback with individualistic styling that gives further evidence of the marque's return to its traditions. The new car is better built than the Saxo, as well as being more spacious and better equipped. Saxo production will continue for another year until the launch of the three-door C3.

The Eurovan venture between Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat has been renewed in an all-new format. Fiat retains the Ulysse nameplate, but the Citroën Synergie becomes the C8 and the Peugeot 806 becomes the 807. All of the cars come with high levels of equipment, practicality, refinement and visual appeal. Left-hand drive markets will also get a luxurious version of the design - the Lancia Phedra.

Germany

The Volkswagen Polo has been relaunched in an all-new fourth generation format, sharing its underpinnings with the Škoda Fabia that was launched two years ago. It is taller and more spacious than before, but retains its predecessor's traditions of quality, comfort and an upmarket feel.

After eight years, the BMW 7 Series has undergone a complete update which transforms it into one of the most impressive luxury cars in the world. Its new styling is not to everyone's taste, but few cars can match its quality, luxury, innovation and refinement. A similarly-styled update for the smaller 5 Series is due for next year.

Style, security, solidity, quality and refinement benchmarks in the executive car sector have been moved to a new level with the latest Mercedes E Class, which looks very much like the smaller C Class and the larger S Class. At least until the arrival of the next BMW 5 Series, the latest E Class is looking like the most impressive offering in this upmarket sector.

pain

The third generation SEAT Ibiza has gone on sale at the same time as the new Volkswagen Polo upon which it is mechanically based. It is a stylish offering at the lower end of the market, as well as being fun to drive and well built. It is competitively priced in comparison to many other superminis, as well as being more spacious than many of its rivals, even though its comfort levels are far from perfect. As before, there will be a Cordoba saloon version which offers all of the hatchback's qualities, but comes with the added bonus of a cavernous boot.

Eastern Europe

The six-year-old Volkswagen Passat design has been tweaked to become the Czech-built Superb, which in many ways lives up to its name. It is well built, stylish, refined, comfortable, well equipped and smooth to drive. It is marketed above the Volkswagen as a BMW 3 Series competitor, but is actually more competitively priced than the more downmarket car on which it is based.

Japan

Two years after beginning European exports of its disappointing Logo mini-car, Honda has finally launched a competent new supermini. The Jazz is an innovative small car with a high roof that allows excellent levels of interior space and comfort. It is also solidly built, good to drive and offers high levels of equipment. Prices are also competitive for a vehicle which in many ways feels like a product from the next highest sector.

Honda has also launched a new version of its iconic Accord large family car. The latest Accord inherits its predecessor's qualities of solid build, impressive refinement, high levels of comfort, and an excellent ride. It also addresses its predecessor's only major fault - styling. Many earlier Accords were blandly styled in comparison to their European counterparts, but the latest version is one of the sleekest and most contemporary-looking offerings in its sector.

Ten years after the launch of the MK2 Micra, Nissan has introduced an all-new version with unique styling that is "modtro" - a blend of modern and retro. It has been described by many as a blend of a Mini and a Volkswagen Beetle. It comes with a new, wider range of engines and a smooth-riding chassis which will form the basis of the next Renault Clio, and like its predecessor all European versions will be built at Sunderland.