1998 in motoring

The fourth generation Vauxhall Astra went on sale in May, with a new design as well as a range of updated and new engines. Lotus Cars was employed to tune the new Astra's chassis. The entry-level engine was a 1.6 8-valve unit carried over from the previous Astra. There were also 16-valve units with 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 litres, as well as 1.7 and 2.0 diesels. Three- and five-door hatchbacks were available, along with the five-door hatchback and four-door saloon. There were coupe and cabriolet versions planned for later launch. A new generation of the Frontera launched in the Autumn with new styling and similar dimensions to its predecessor.

Ford produced the winner of next year's European Car of the Year award with its Focus in October, a newly designed range of family hatchbacks, saloons and estates to succeed the Escort. But the Escort remained on sale for another two years. Power came from 16-valve 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 Zetec petrol engines as well as a 1.8 turbo-diesel. Ford ends production of the Scorpio after 4 years without a successor as buyers struggled to warm to its controversial styling.

Jaguar launched a smaller, lower priced model - the S-Type. Designed as a competitor for the likes of the BMW 5 Series, the S-Type was a traditionally styled four-door saloon with a design similar to the 1960s saloons. It was powered by 3.0 V6, 3.2 V8 and 4.0 V8 engines. Sales would begin in Spring 1999.

Rover ceased production of the 600 and 800 Series production for the launch of a new car, the Rover 75 four-door saloon with sales beginning in June 1999. The 100 Series supermini was withdrawn from sale after 18 years starting with the Austin Metro in 1980. A poor Euro-NCAP crash-test result meant demand quickly fell and the last models were made in December 1997.

Audi reentered the coupe market with its TT 2+2 coupe and two-seater roadster. It had a similar look to the show car which debuted in 1994 as a concept vehicle. Quattro four-wheel drive came as standard on all models. The turbocharged 1.8 20-valve entry-level engine produced 180 bhp to propel the car to well over 130 mph, while the twin-turbo 225 bhp version could reach 150 mph. The car shared its running gear with the Skoda Octavia, VW Golf as well as Audi's own A3. Sales began in early 1999.

Volkswagen launched a new version of its Volkswagen Beetle. The original 1938 version continued in Mexico, prior to the launch of the new Golf-based version. It was powered by 2.0 petrol and 1.9 turbo-diesel engines. UK sales were planned for 1999, though right-hand drive versions were not due until 2000. The engine range was expected to be widened in the future, as well as a cabriolet version being added.

Volkswagen launched a saloon version of its fourth generation Golf. The Volkswagen Bora, known as the Jetta in the US. Visually similar to the slightly larger Passat. UK sales began in March 1999, with 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 four-cylinder and 2.3 V5 petrol engines available as well as a 1.9 turbo-diesel.

Mercedes-Benz launched a new S Class in the Summer with a sleek new design and a host of new technology which would soon filter down the rest of the Mercedes range.