1978 in motoring

United Kingdom

Vauxhall has introduced a new top-of-the-range saloon and estate that is directed at buyers of the Ford Granada and Rover SD1. The Carlton is a rear-wheel drive upmarket car that replaces the VX1800/VX2000 and offers a more modern and attractive package with more refinements. It is built in Germany alongside the identical Opel Rekord.

Chrysler's financially-troubled European division has bolstered its chances of survival with the launch of a modern five-door front-wheel drive hatchback, the Horizon, which is the first car of its kind to be built in Britain. It gives buyers a modern alternative to the ageing rear-wheel drive Avenger, which will continue in production despite falling directly into the category of cars that the Horizon might be expected to replace.

France

While the British Ryton plant welcomes the Talbot Horizon, Chrysler's French plant at Poissy will be producing the Simca Horizon. Aside the badge, the French version of this modern and affordable car is identical to the British version. And for French buyers, it replaces the ageing Simca 1100 - although that smaller and more obsolete car will continue in production for a while yet.

Renault has expanded its range with the launch of the sleek R18 saloon. It replaces the smaller R12 saloon as well as some versions of the ageing R16 hatchback, which was partially replaced by the R20/R30 in 1975 but will not finish production for another year yet. The R18, which is set to be available later as an estate, shares much of its mechanical design with the smaller R14 hatchback.

Peugeot has launched the first of its "05" generation of cars. The 305 is a stylish range of medium-sized saloons and estates which replace the 304, although that car will remain in production for a while yet. The "05" generation of Peugeots is set to expand over the next four or five years with a large family saloon and a supermini hatchback.

1978 is the 2CV's 30th year of production, and Citroen currently has no plans for it to be discontinued. But the makers have launched a more modern and practical small car to give buyers more choice. The Visa is visually in keeping with Citroen's individuality, but underneath it is mostly made up of Peugeot components. Most importantly, it gives buyers the advantage of four doors and a hatchback within a compact package - something that most other carmakers currently don't have.

Germany

Six years after its launch, the much-acclaimed Audi 80 has undergone its first facelift. The front end has undergone the most changes, but otherwise it is easily recognisable as the solid four-door saloon which has bolstered Audi's fortunes in recent years.

Volkswagen has finished European production of the iconic Beetle (now the best-selling car of all time), although production will continue in Mexico and Brazil. European buyers will still be able to buy Beetles, although sales are now anticipated to be much lower than before, as recent new models such as the Polo and Golf are now the brand's market leaders.

Opel has launched a new version of its Rekord range-topper, which is built in West Germany and built alongside Britain-bound models that will be sold as the Vauxhall Carlton.

Italy

The most controversially-styled car of 1978 has to be the Fiat Ritmo hatchback (Strada in the UK). It runs along the 128 saloon, using much of that model's front-wheel drive running gear. But the car's quirky exterior design is a world away from the conventional and boxy outlines of the nine-year-old 128, and there have been mixed views on its appearance. Some commentators have praised Fiat for coming up with a product that is more daring and different from anything else of its size, while others have wretched at the sight of a car that they feel is so ugly.

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*1977 in motoring
*1979 in motoring