New Sports Cars Release and Revision Dates

Porsche Boxster

September 2002

Both Boxster and Boxster S get 8 more BHP and improved mid range torque thanks to variable cam technology.  Improvements knock 0.2 seconds off the 0-60 times of each model, and improve fuel consumption by 2%.  

2003 Boxster S

Other changes include glass rear screen, revised air intakes and minor internal changes.  Prices are unchanged. Rush down to your local Porsche dealer now - if you're lucky you might be able to order one for delivery early next year.  We'll be producing an up to date consumer report on the 2003 Porsche Boxster S when we get our hands on one next month.

MG ZT 385

October 2002

Latest in the ZT range promises to show once again that MG Rover is back on track.  We all thought they'd founder post BMW, but they're turning out one great car after another.  

We've not managed to give this one a try yet, but hope to try one out soon.  Watch this space.

Toyota Celica and MR2

October 2002

Toyota release the 2003 Celica and 2003 MR2 in October.  Both cars get improved handling and minor interior revisions.  But the MR2 benefits from more pronounced bodywork changes including a longer, deeper spoiler and larger alloy wheels at the rear - the front alloys are unchanged to provide optimum handling.  

The Celica wheels and spoiler are also modified but the effect is less dramatic.  Changes to the front spoiler remind us of the steeper angles on the Action Pack spoiler shown above.

The good news for existing Celica owners is that residuals will be unaffected by the new changes; the minor changes demonstrate that current Celica prices are great value for money.   MR2 prices are expected to rise slightly.  Look out for our Consumer Reports on both new cars in the near future.

Ford Focus RS

October 2002

Ford's long awaited Focus RS is now production ready and goes on sale next month.  We're looking forward to seeing whether it lives up to the early prototype we drove last year.  

Rally breeding will make new Focus a great car

Every indication is that it will be superb, guaranteeing that it will take over the hot hatch roost, even against very stiff competition from the current masters such as the Seat Leon Cupra R, Golf 4-Motion and Honda Civic Type-R.  Ford may well price the Focus somewhat higher than these alternatives, but that will help guarantee a uniqueness that will set the RS even further apart from the crowd.

Ford StreetKa

March 20003

Ford's stylish little hatch gets even more style, thanks to radical new body.  Drive through London in this baby and all eyes will be upon you.   And it's not even expected to cost a fortune - a sub £10K price has been hinted at.  

The 1.6 litre engine is expected to be based on the Fiesta's Duratec and will produce 98bhp, so performance won't be out of this world, but that little chassis developed by the team who brought us the amazing Puma, promises that the StreetKa will drive as good as it looks.  Top down motoring has never been so cheap; OK it has, we bought a Triumph Stag for well under a grand 20 years ago, but in real terms....

Audi S4

April 2003

The wait will soon be over for Audi fans who are looking forward to the return of the S4.  Featuring the same V8 4.2 litre engine as the RS6, the S4 is available in the UK from April next year. Like the RS6, the new car will be a 4 wheel drive quattro combined with a six speed manual gearbox.  0-60 is expected to be reached around 5 seconds.   

Audi RS6

Audi hope to put pressure on the BMW M3 which has the same power, but which is rear wheel drive only.  However, they've averted a head to head because, unlike the M3, which is a coupe, the S4 will be available as a saloon and as an Avant sports estate.

The new Audi is expected to retail for around £36,000 (about £4,000 less than the M3) and to be loaded with extras such as electric Recaro sports seats, Xenon headlights and digital climate control.   A low mesh grill, 18" wide alloy wheels and minor body kit revisions are pretty much all that differentiate the new car from the A4 that it's based on.

Mazda RX8

April 2003

Boy we're waiting for this one.  Awesome looking, with handling developed by the MX5 team.  What more can you ask for.  Those suicide rear doors are guaranteed to set this baby apart from the crowd, and that sweet engine will rev for ever.  We're going to get our hands on one as soon as we possibly can.  Watch out Celica, your place at the top of our favourite coupe lists might be at risk when we get our hands on the new Mazda.

VW Touareg

June 2003

Volkswagen Audi's giant Touareg all wheel drive will be one of the most powerful, and fastest, production off roaders when it's released next summer.  

The VW is set to take on BMW's X5, the Mercedes ML500 and the new Range Rover head to head, and soon afterwards will also face competition from its sister car the Porsche Cayenne.  

In the power stakes, the V8 5.0 litre Touareg could have the existing field beaten both on and off the road.  It will certainly tower over Audi's existing All Roader so we expect to hear news of the Audi version soon.  

However, the Porsche Cayenne will be waiting around the corner ready to mug the new VW.  We'll wait to see whether the link up does more to enhance the reputation of Volkswagen or Porsche.  

Either way, the pair are both certainly remarkable vehicles, capable of stunning performance on the road, with off road abilities that are more than a match for the competition.

BMW Z4

June 2003

We're told that prices for the new Z4 will be sensible - more towards the Z3 end of the market, rather than the Z8 bond car.  Yet the new car looks much more like the Z8 than the rounded Z3 that it replaces.  We're looking forward to getting our hands on one of these to find out whether that wicked rear end handling will live on, or whether the new car will be a more sensible, more perfect being.  BMW will want to improve on both the Z3 and the Z8 if they're to take on the competition from the Mazda MX5 to the Porsche Boxster.

Holden HSV GTS V8

August 2003

Rumours that the Holden HSV GTS will reach these shores next year are starting to circulate around the cars-cars-cars office.  We reckon it could be a good move by Vauxhall to bring these monsters to the UK;  if the get it right, they're guaranteed to improve the company's image leading to much higher sales of hot Astras, Vectras and Omegas.  Bring it on!  The hot HSV includes 405bhp from a 5.7 litre V8 enabling it to hit 60mph in well under 6 seconds; not bad for a big car.