The first-generation Range Rover was produced between 1970 and 1996. The original car was not designed as a luxury-type 4x4; while certainly up-market compared to preceding Land Rover models, the early Range Rovers had fairly basic, utilitarian interiors with vinyl seats and plastic dashboards designed to be washed down with a hose. Features such a..
The DB9 was the star of the 2003 Frankfurt Motor show where it was unveiled to the public for the very first time. The DB9 was powered by a third-generation version of the now familiar 6.0 litre, V12 and had a top speed of 186mph. It was the first of what was to become a long line of production Aston Martins to use VH architecture, using Superforme..
The first-generation Boxster (the 986) was introduced in late 1996 and was powered by a 2.5 litre flat, six-cylinder engine. Harm Lagaay's design, inspired by the 356 Speedster and 550 Spyder, stimulated a commercial turnaround for Porsche. Many believe the introduction of the Boxster helped save Porsche from acquisition. It was Porsche's first wat..
The Mini was manufactured by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and its successors from 1959 until 2000. The original is considered a British icon of the 1960’s and its space-saving front-wheel drive layout allowing 80% of the car's floorpan to be used for passengers and luggage, influenced a generation of car makers. In 1999, the Mini was voted t..
The XK8 is a grand tourer car that was launched in 1996 and was the first generation of a new XK series available in either coupé or convertible body styles and with the new 4.0 litre Jaguar AJ-V8 engine. The 1998 XKR was introduced with a supercharged version of the engine. Both the XK8 and XKR are electronically limited to a maximum of 155mph, th..
The Porsche 928 burst onto the scene in 1978 and became the first (and still only) sports car to win European car of the year award. The 928 was continually developed until reaching the S4 in 1987, which would stay in production until 1991. The 928 S4 is powered by a 5.0-litre V8 engine, producing 316bhp and 317 lb-ft of torque, which provides effo..
The Ferrari F355 was built from May 1994 to 1999 and was an evolution of the Ferrari 348. It is a mid-engined, rear wheel drive, V8-powered two-seat coupé. At launch, two models were available; the coupé Berlinetta and the Targa topped GTS. The Spider (convertible) version was introduced in 1995. One major difference between the longitudinal V8 in ..
The German word Geländewagen translates as ‘cross country vehicle’. This abbreviates to G-Wagon and is a fitting name for the four-wheel drive luxury SUV manufactured by Magna Steyr in Austria and sold by Mercedes-Benz. The G-Wagon has enjoyed an impressive build run of over 40 years, during which time notable owners have included the Vatican who t..
In April 1946 the first post-war model from Rolls-Royce was revealed to the public: the Silver Wraith. Following their pre-war tradition of manufacturing a rolling-chassis only, Rolls-Royce delivered these cars to be bodied by independent coachbuilders. Enjoying a seven-inch longer wheelbase than its Bentley Mk. VI sibling, the newcomer was based a..
The squarer-styled Escort Mk. II version appeared in January 1975 with the first production models having rolled off the production lines on 2nd December 1974. Unlike the first Escort (which was developed by Ford of Britain), the second generation was developed jointly between the UK and Ford of Germany. Codenamed ‘Brenda’ during its development, i..