Ford has Fusion, as well as in much the same way as that model supplies a pseudo-multi-purpose utility choice to Fiesta drivers, then so Modus will sit alongside the Clio as a more versatile equal to that high seller.

Prone to have a major effect on sales of the much-loved Twingo, Modus is really a modem package which combines chic styling using the latest selection of engines and transmissions in the Renault small car range; there’s a choice of three petrol engines (from the 75PS 1.2 litre to a 113PS1.6-16v) and three diesels.

Handling is sharp and clean, and accommodation surprisingly great for such a compact car. Renault has another winner on its hands.

Now financially aligned with Nissan, Renault appears to keep adding new models to its group of cars. The most recent arrivals, Modus and Logan, are both vehicles targeted at low-spending drivers (Logan is supposed for emerging markets and can sell for €5000, Modus for the young within the leisure vehicle sector) however the range of Renaults extends right as much as the luxurious – and expensive – Vel Satis.

Head of design Patrick le Quement is spending so much time to impose his will about the styling of Renaults, which is why most share the ‘bay window’ rear aspects, as well as an instantly recognisable frontal appearance.

Today’s Renault range is easily the most interesting ever- plus they are cornering the market in multi-purpose vehicles, in the Modus to the Grand Espace. The next generation of Clio is going to be vital to Renault’s success, though – even though it is good for the company’s designers to experience with big cars, the actual earnings originate from high volume models. And also the Clio is the highest volume Renault.

Having a choice of hatch or saloon body shells, this really is Proton’s mainstream model; every other car in Kl seems to be a Wira. Engine options are the expected 1.3, 1.5 or 1.6 – all petrol – and this is a choice of manual or automatic transmission.

Handling is geared far more to comfort than sharpness – keep in mind the car was conceived to attract mature drivers in the home country – so look elsewhere for driving satisfaction.

This and also the bigger, but all-too-similar Impian are both probably be replaced through the Gen2 as soon as that car has achieved production numbers that will permit export demand to become satisfied.

Proton’s mid-size contender emerges with any engine you prefer so long because it is a 1.6 litre; this can be a torque-rich unit which could persuade the 4 door sedan to 116mph (185kph). A soft automatic option takes the advantage of performance, however the manual is pleasingly dean to make use of.

The suspension system advantages of Lotus input, achieving as a result a pleasant balance between handling and quality of ride, but steering is a touch dead in feel Accommodation is nice, with plenty of room for four, along with a good-sized load area increases the practicality of the package. Noise levels are very well controlled, too.

Newly announced in Malaysia but to appear in Europe, Gen2 suggests that Proton is in the procedure for raising its game.

Visually neat and stylish – and showing lots of European influence – the 4 door sedan includes a nose-down rake and satisfyingly uncluttered frontal detail. Gen2 also makes full utilization of Lotus expertise to supply world-class levels of handling.

Engine options are initially limited to a 1.6 litre four with 110PS, but a more powerful GTI version along with a modest, economical 1.3 will also be expected since the model rolls out. An estate version with an increase of rear overhang will probably round from the range inside the next year.

Malaysia’s premier national car maker, Proton was made a little over two decades ago, and for the first decade made cars that were totally without distinction. Nevertheless the realisation that feeding a hungry domestic market was one thing (specially when the industry was protected by high duties on imported cars) but satisfying an export market another thing entirely, it began raising its game.

Buying Lotus Cars was integral towards the success of the policy: Lotus delivered that engineering expertise previously unavailable within the Proton factory or design centre in Selangor.

There’s still a method to go, obviously – the company couldn’t reinvent itself overnight – but it’s getting there, and also the current range is the greatest yet. The brand new Gen2 second generation, is set to spearhead a brand new export drive, and it has been made to take the brand into brand-new market places.

Large, imposing and aggressive-looking, Porsche’s reaction to the Mercedes M-Class and also the Range Rover has begun to obtain a devoted following. Offered by having an entry level V6 of 250PS, a V8 with 340PS or perhaps a twin-turbo V8 pumping out 450PS, by using the same clever 4×4 drive system, along with a choice of manual or selector-automatic gearboxes.

The vehicle will never corner too as a Porsche coupe\ but by sports utility standards is surprisingly dean-handling when utilized on the road.

Although rarely deployed in anger dirt, those drivers who dare muddy the coachwork of the Cayennes will be rewarded by extremely competent behaviour because of its sophisticated traction management package of computer wizardry.

The ‘budget’ Porsche emerges in two versions, the conventional model and also the S. Both give a pleasing driving experience – using the more powerful S understandably being designed with stiffer suspension settings – and supply an admission to the Porsche experience for half the buying price of a 911.

The mixture of a mid-mounted engine (228PS within the standard model, 260PS for the Boxster S) and classic Porsche suspension make for pure driving pleasure, and also the car is quickly recognizable as a Porsche – never a poor thing.

A coupe version is finally on agenda for delivery at the beginning of 2005; this should deliver yet more power, because of the additional stiffness a dosed car provides.

It’s hard to think that it is more than 40 years since the first 911 arrived. Within the intervening years it’s continued to grow in both size and stature, and also at the same time has turned into a less of handful they are driving than used to be the case.

Today the vehicle is available having a range of flat six engines which go from a relatively modest 320PS to 420PS – with yet more capacity to come once the 911 Turbo S arrives late in 2004.

Buyers possess a bewildering selection of drivelines, with rear or four wheel drive, but what you choose they obtain the fundaments of 911 ownership – handling sharp enough to shave with, and acceleration to fulfill even the most devout petrol-head. Essentially the ultimate driving experience.

In common with most Porsche models, something got lost within the translation from concept to production reality. When it was initially shown as a show car the Carrera GT was longer minimizing than the series model that arrived this season.

But in all other respects the vehicle is peerless. Carrera GT packs a V10 engine mounted amidships, teamed having a six speed manual transmission. This mixture is sufficient to hurtle the equipment to a top speed of 330kph, it reaching the very first hundred clicks inside a whisker over three seconds – stunning performance by anyone’s standards.

Handling is perfectly poised, and also the car is more forgiving anyway – and thus simpler to drive – compared to figures suggest. A genuine supercar that sets the standard, in true Porsche tradition.

The German sports vehicle maker appears to be gaining strength from year upon year; despite countless suggestions it should kill off the ageing 911 series the model will not go quietly, and also the range of models for the reason that series are now being constantly reinvented, resulting in yet more satisfied owners.

The Boxster too is more popular than before, and the familiar roadster is a result of be joined inside the next year with a closed roof version that will allow yet more capacity to be pushed with the cars chassis. Tha other major player within the Porsche arsenal of guided missiles may be the Cayenne, the brand’s first foray to the world of luxury sports utility vehicles (SUVs).

Like the majority of SUVs Cayennes are rarely seen knee-deep in mud – although it can deal with those situations with consummate ease – but rather parked within the paddock at race meetings and collecting offspring externally expensive fee-paying schools.

It might be easy to discount the Sunfire as a GTO-want-to-be, but actually the car deserves better. In line with the same floor pan as that found under sundry General Motors models all over the world, the front drive, four cylinder car is realistically a united states two-door Vectra, with all the virtues that this incarnation might suggest.

The manual version is easily the most fun – automatics often anaesthetise the performance slightly – and handling is nice, thanks to well-set suspension components. The looks of the car are afflicted by an over-long nose – but apparently drivers get accustomed to that.