Topic channel
90s - Cars of the nineties
About this topic channel
Welcome to the decade of Eurodance, Game Boy, and groundbreaking automotive design! The cars of the 90s have long since achieved cult status. From digital cockpits and the birth of modern SUVs to the last generation of purist sports cars – we celebrate the icons of an era. Discover reports on 90s youngtimers, buying guides for future classics, and retrospectives on the technological pioneers that are now finally eligible for historic vehicle registration.
TVR Cerbera - British exuberance
It certainly takes more than courage to develop your own engine when you are a small British sports car manufacturer. Peter Wheeler, however, was just the enthusiast to tackle such an undertaking in the early nineties. The result was the AJP V8, which was only built for a few years and only for production use in a single coupé. This driving report on the 30th anniversary of the TVR Cerbera shows what a shame it would have been to do without it.
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Audi S6 quattro – The V8 estate for the frequent flyer
The Audi S6 stands for the rare combination of V8 power and unobtrusive estate car design. Despite 290 hp, the S6 remains understated and impresses with comfort and surprisingly modern technology. Its clear, analog design makes it a worthy representative of its time.
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Bugatti EB112 - slowed down too early?
The modern Bugatti has the engine in front of the rear axle. This has been the case since the early nineties and applies to series production vehicles. But as early as 1993, a four-door saloon with a front mid-engine was shown at the Geneva Motor Show, which almost went into production. But it was not to be. The successors, of which there were several, were also unsuccessful. This report tells the story of the Bugatti EB 112.
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993's Agility — Falk to the Rescue
When Ulrich Bez realized that the 911 had to be saved, he brought in the experienced Peter Falk. Falk's comprehensive analysis of the requirements for a successor to the 964, with its focus on agility, not only saved the 911 but also produced a winning car in the form of the 993.
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Technology in race cars (54): Ferrari F92A - The double-decker
Following the unveiling of the new Ferrari Formula 1 for the 2026 season, hopes are high and the pressure is even greater. After all, the hope is that the brand's former success will return. It was very similar in 1992 when the F92A was unveiled.
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Ford Probe 2.5 GT 24V - Anti-Mustang
The Ford Probe was actually intended as the successor to the comparatively old-fashioned Mustang. Aerodynamically exemplary and modern, the first Probe generation was then placed in a niche and sold so successfully that a second generation followed in 1992. Nobody was bothered by the fact that a Mazda was actually sitting under the attractively designed body, as the advantages outweighed the disadvantages. There was no third generation, at least not with the same name. This driving report shows the second generation of the Ford Probe and tells the story of the model series.
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Audi Avus Quattro - All theory is silver
The Audi Avus Quattro was more sculpture than sports car, yet its name paid homage to a glorious motorsport past. At its presentation, it was the sensation of the Tokyo Motor Show. Who cared that the "Vorsprung durch Technik" only existed on paper?
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The Dauer Deception – Le Mans 1994
One of the most colorful episodes in the history of a colorful company was Porsche's 13th Le Mans victory in 1994 with the racing version of a road car derived from a racing car. This hubris served the car company well and less so a participant.
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Bertone Kayak - Booted out
With the Kayak, Bertone wanted to return the Fiat subsidiary Lancia, which was slowly drifting into arbitrariness, to its former glory. The technology and design language were deliberately kept close to series production so that the coupé version of the Lancia Kappa could go into production. However, Lancia ultimately preferred its own design.
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JaguarSport XJR-15 (1991) - The forgotten super sports car
A Le Mans racing car as a road car? In the early 1990s, Tom Walkinshaw Racing TWR and its joint venture with Jaguar, Jaguar Sports, built 53 examples of one of the craziest cars ever to hit the road with the jumping cat - the Jaguar Sport XJR-15.
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Ferrari F50 - The promise was kept
The predecessor Ferrari F40 was regarded as rough, somewhat uncouth and technically not necessarily state of the art; moreover, at over 1300 units, far more than the announced 400 cars were built. The F50, on the other hand, fulfilled Ferrari's promise in terms of both technology and the promise to build no more than 350 cars - and even more. This is also reflected in the fact that it is extremely sought-after today.
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The Porsche 911 GT1 at Le Mans 1998 - the victory that counted
While Mercedes-Benz was gaining ground in the GT1 class at the end of the 1990s, Porsche was struggling on the racetrack. But when it came to winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1998 to mark the 50th anniversary of Porsche's automobile construction, the GT1/98 had exactly what was needed.
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A breath of fresh air from Paris: Renault Argos in 1994
It was quiet in the halls of the 1994 Geneva Motor Show, one day before the exhibition. A tall man stood for an unusually long time in front of a new concept car. He walked around it, examining the proportions and the materials. The man was Ferdinand Karl Piëch, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG for only a few months. He muttered to himself: "The air must be different in Paris."
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BMW M3 GT - when you want a little more
From 1992 to 1999, BMW built over 70,000 M3s of the E36 series. Within this large production volume, however, a few rarities stand out, one of which is the M3 GT, of which only 356 were built. This driving report explains how this rarity came about and how it feels.
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Bugatti EB110 - Ettore would have been delighted
The Bugatti EB110 experienced a brief moment of blossoming, plunged into the dark abyss and, once again in the limelight, has undergone a brilliant rehabilitation. One person who has been devoted to the EB110 for a long time and who has remained loyal to it for many miles is former Swiss Lotus and Caterham importer Fredy Kumschick.
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Citroën ZX Rallye-Raid (1990) - Rally car sent into the desert
It is as yellow as a lemon and bears the double angle, but the Citroën ZX Rallye-Raid has very little in common with a Döschwo, which had just retired in 1990 when this wild fellow was sent into the desert.
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Mercedes-Benz E 320 Cabriolet - Stiff breeze
The engineers in Stuttgart went to immense lengths to make the open-top W 124 as stable as the closed models. When the Cabriolet finally appeared in 1991, the model series was already seven years old. But it was worth the wait. Our article explains why.
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Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG - German-American friendship
Anyone who heard it was reminded of the American "muscle cars" of the late 1960s, but otherwise the Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG remained true to its German virtues. It was a wolf in sheep's clothing that hardly anyone recognized for its 300 hp and sports car-like performance. This vehicle report tells the story of the Mercedes-Benz C 43 and shows it in current and historical pictures as well as in the sales brochure from back then.
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Citroën AX - French lightweight
In 1986, China was still a developing country when it came to cars. The most widely used vehicle was called the "Flying Pigeon" and was a bicycle. Around half a billion of these two-wheelers are said to have been in use in the Middle Kingdom at the time. In total, almost every Chinese person had a "bicycle". Citroën, however, brought a car to China to capitalize on the fascination and magic of a country that was just opening up to Western tourism: The Citroën AX. Parts of the campaign at the time were photographed on the Great Wall of China - the title of the campaign was "Révolutionnaire!" - was it the car back then? What is clear is that today the AX is a classic!
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Bertone Bella - In the eye of the beholder
When do we consider something beautiful? In view of its name, the Bertone Bella virtually begs this question. You can no longer tell that an Alfa Romeo 166 is underneath the two-door car, which looks like it has been drawn with a knife. Our article introduces the one-off presented in 1999 and shows it in historical photos.
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Alfa Romeo 164 Protéo - innovative coupé convertible
Hardly anyone had expected this in 1991! At the Geneva Motor Show, Alfa Romeo presented the 164 Protéo coupé-cabriolet study with a four-valve three-liter V6, all-wheel drive and all-wheel steering. Despite a positive response, the prototype did not go into series production; Fiat and Alfa Romeo had other plans. This report describes the one-off, shows it in many historical photographs and reproduces the press release of the time.
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Bertone Slalom - Drinking and driving
Based on the Opel Calibra, a station wagon coupé study was created in 1996, which showed neither the snaking lines in form nor in driving behavior as the name suggested. The Bertone Slalom was a reinterpretation of a classic concept and in part followed the boss's very special preferences. This article introduces the "Gran Turismo saloon" and shows it in historical photographs.
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Aston Martin DB7 - new start with in-line six-cylinder engine
It came late, but it came anyway. The DB7 marked a successful new beginning for Aston Martin in a more affordable sports car segment and paved the way for the future. And today, the DB7 is certainly one of the most beautiful cars of all time. This driving report tells the story of the indirect successor to the DB6 and shows it in current and historical pictures.
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Alfa Romeo 75 Twin Spark Limited Edition - Transaxle final bouquet
From 1985 to 1992, Alfa Romeo built the 75 model, which many enthusiasts consider to be the last classic Alfa with its Alfetta transaxle architecture. Finally, Alfa Romeo produced a special series, which was available with two-liter Twin-Spark and 1.8-liter turbo engines. This driving report focuses on one of these "Limited Edition" models with the twin-turbo four-cylinder engine and shows it in current and historical images.
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Porsche 944 Turbo Cabriolet - with more propulsion in the sun
If you wanted to buy a Porsche 944 Turbo as a convertible, you had to wait until the last year of production. That's why the open-top 944 Turbo remained rare and still is today. With an output of 250 hp and a weight of only around 1.4 tons, it is not short on charm, as this driving report with current and historical photo material shows.
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BMW M3 Convertible - lively niche
A convertible version of the BMW M3 was not originally planned. The fact that it was built anyway is thanks to a Swiss man. This report reveals the whole story and how the open-top M3 drives, with plenty of current and historical images.
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Honda CRX - Almost British
What nonsense to compare a Japanese sports car from the eighties with an English roadster from the sixties! Or is it? In fact, they differ in nothing so much as their engine characteristics - and of course the fact that the Japanese car has a fixed roof. This article introduces the Honda CRX and explains why, as a small, agile fun maker, it can certainly be considered the successor to British sports car culture.
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Opel Tigra - Ladies' choice
Objectively speaking, there wasn't much to be said for buying an Opel Tigra. It was less spacious than a Corsa, more expensive and even slower to accelerate. But it simply looked outrageously good - and it could dive better too. This article introduces the award-winning Corsa coupé and shows it in lots of historical footage.
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Bertone Nivola - Mid-engined Corvette for Nuvolari
The color and name were a tribute to an Italian national hero. But under the bodywork, the Bertone Nivola was thoroughly American. With its 5.7-liter V8 installed between the cockpit and rear axle, it anticipated what would only become a series-produced reality 30 years later. This article tells the story of the Italian mid-engined Corvette.
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Ford Mustang LX 5.0L Convertible - Howl!
With the third generation of the Mustang, Ford left the dark seventies behind. The wheelbase grew, the bodywork smoothed out and the engine power slowly rose back to pre-oil crisis levels. With the right accessories, the 225 hp of the most powerful production model was by no means the end of the line. Drive in a V8 convertible with retrofitted supercharger.
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Multipla Fiat - between the fronts
Fiat is said to have been asked at the time whether they really wanted to build this car like this. That's how controversial the styling was discussed. But Fiat showed courage and today the Multipla is certainly one of the coolest "people movers" ever. We took it for a test drive and tell its story ...
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Audi Avant RS2 - Trend sports car from the Porsche factory
With the Avant RS2, Audi and Porsche collaborated to create a compact high-performance estate car unlike anything seen before. The 2.2-liter five-cylinder engine produced 315 hp, the car accelerated almost as fast as a Ferrari F355 costing twice as much and could not be left behind by a Porsche 993. Even with five people and a lot of luggage on board if necessary. Today, the RS2 is a cult car of the nineties and very much in demand. This driving report tells the story of the Audi-Porsche station wagon and shows it in current and historical pictures, supplemented by press documents from the time.
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TVR S3C - The open time capsule
Many cars today are said to have been ahead of their time. The TVR S, on the other hand, was deliberately designed as an old-fashioned reminiscence of days gone by - and fulfills this role so well that it is almost hard to believe how young it actually is. Because hardly any other nineties car offers such a sixties feel. This article describes the development from the S to the S4C and describes the impression behind the wheel of an S3C
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Porsche 989 - Four doors for no hallelujah
Not counting an American conversion from the late sixties, the Type 989 was the first Porsche with four doors and the factory's first serious attempt in the field of sports saloons. The project began promisingly, but was stopped shortly before the start of series production due to escalating costs and an unclear economic situation. Porsche historian Karl Ludvigsen tells the story.
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Alfa Romeo 33 1.7 i.e. 4x4 - Trentatre for every "tempo"
The last iteration of the Alfa Romeo 33 was the edgiest, but certainly also the most mature. The heir to the Alfasud now came in a modernized suit, with more traction and cleaner emissions. This driving report, which is illustrated with many historical and current pictures, clarifies whether something of the former "Cuore Sportivo" has fallen by the wayside.
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Fiat Barchetta - the double spider
In 1995, the Fiat Barchetta appeared as an MX-5 competitor and an affordable entry-level convertible. Almost 30 years later, the Fiat is already a classic, which makes a comparison with its actual ancestor, the Fiat 850 Spider, all the more interesting. This driving report takes a closer look at the differences between the two Fiat models and shows both in many pictures.
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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC - Nobel Prize for the feasible
Some simply considered the Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC to be the best car in the world, while others thought it was too big, too ostentatious, too clumsy or altogether superfluous. To this day, this controversy has not come to an end - a good reason to take a closer look at the coupé, which is now over 30 years old. This driving report tells the story of the S-Class coupé of the 1990s and shows it in current and historical pictures.
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Porsche 911 GT1/98 - Well meant...
...is not always well done. As a completely new design, the Porsche 911 GT1 for the 1998 season was supposed to make up for the two unsuccessful previous years. But even as a pure racing car without any reference to series production, the 911 GT1/98 only managed a single victory - but it was the most important one to be won that year. This article tells the story of Porsche's last Le Mans overall winner from the 20th century.
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Audi TT and TTS - Study trip
In 1996, two Audians saw the light of day for the very first time with the Indians. Two years before the Audi TT went into series production in the fall of 1998, the two prototypes were allowed to take to the public tarmac in California for the first time and present themselves to a photographer. In this article about the development of the Audi TT, we show the historical footage, which clearly shows that the TT remained true to itself when it went into series production.
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Brabus SLK V8 - The Cobra from Bottrop
When reason overcomes drive at AMG, they really get going at Brabus. While Affalterbach left it at a 3.2-liter V6, the extremists from Bottrop squeezed a V8 more than twice as big under the hood of the smallest Mercedes-Benz sports car. The result was a 450 hp thunderbolt that still looked like mom's little folding roof convertible at first glance, but was capable of speeds in excess of 300 km/h. In this article, we tell the story of the Brabus SLK V8, which was only built five times.
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Jaguar Sovereign - a successful balancing act between innovation and tradition
After 18 years, a new Jaguar XJ 6 finally replaced its graying predecessor. The saloon, also known as the XJ 40, ensured Jaguar's survival in times of "British misery" with a successful blend of traditional English values and modern technology - and above all with greatly improved build quality. This article introduces the Jaguar XJ 40 and shows two examples of the luxury "Sovereign" version in the picture.
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Honda NSX - the harmonious anti-Ferrari from the Far East
With the NSX, Honda set out in 1989 to give the sports car top dogs Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini a run for their money with an innovative, fast and yet uncompromising mid-engined sports car. Despite very good reviews, the car was not a huge success; not even 600 units were sold in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in 15 years. The NSX has remained correspondingly rare. This report tells the story of the Honda/Acura NSX and shows it in historical photos and the original sales brochure.
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Fiat Coupé 2.0 16V - an amalgam of opposites
Some described the design of the Fiat Coupé as attractive, others called it bizarre; in any case, Chris Bangle's design was received controversially. All in all, however, the unusual two-door car had many convincing qualities and is still popular and sought-after as a classic car today. This driving report focuses on the weaker two-liter four-cylinder version and shows the coupé in current and historical photographs as well as in the sales and press literature of the time.
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Audi quattro Spyder - lightweight all-wheel drive sports car with series production potential
Audi experimented with aluminum bodies early on. However, the first vehicles were mostly concept studies. One of these was the quattro Spyder, which was thought to have a good chance of going into series production. There were various reasons why the Spyder was ultimately not built. But even later, many a tear was shed for the "little R8". This report tells the story of the Audi quattro Spyder presented in Frankfurt in 1991 and shows it in historical and contemporary images.
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Bentley Continental T and R Le Mans - fast and very exclusive heavyweights
Anyone who thought a Bentley Continental R costing almost DM 500,000 or CHF 400,000 was too popular could be helped. Variants were produced in very small numbers, differing in technical details, equipment and even wheelbase and exterior dimensions. This article is dedicated to two particularly rare Continental variants, illustrated with many pictures and documented in the automotive literature of the time.
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Audi V8 long-wheelbase sedan - What lasts a long time...
With the long-wheelbase version of the Audi V8, Ingolstadt ventured into the chauffeur-driven saloon class. But after only 271 cars were sold in four years, the experiment came to an end. Today, the Audi V8 long-wheelbase saloon is one of the brand's rarities. This article explains the development of the first representative Audi and shows it in current and historical images.
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VW Golf GTI G60, Limited and Rallye - more Golf with "G"
In 1989, the Golf Rallye was the first model to receive the newly developed G60 engine with a larger G-charger. However, the Sport Golf, which was intended as a homologation model, was a flop. Shortly afterwards, the engine found its way under the hood of the Golf GTI, which breathed the much-missed sportiness back into the famous abbreviation. The 210 PS Golf Limited even surpassed this goal with a vengeance. However, only a few were able to enjoy the über-Golf. This article is dedicated to the VW model series that offered more G-Lader variety than any other.
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VW Polo G40 - Little whirlwind
The Polo G40 was the first VW with a G-charger in 1985 - and the last in 1994. Although mechanical turbocharging impressed contemporary testers and worked better in the smallest Volkswagen than in any other, it died along with the second generation of the Polo, the 86C. Today, the limited first edition is particularly sought after. This article introduces the Polo G40.
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VW Passat GT syncro G60 - Split personality
The Passat was VW's top-of-the-range model in the 1990s. Of course, it also had a G-charged engine, but without really moving up into the luxury class. Despite its good driving characteristics, it simply had two cylinders too few. This article presents the VW Passat GT syncro G60, quotes contemporary press reviews and shows a picture of the model from the factory collection.
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Mitsubishi 3000 GT - The sumo ballerina
If aerodynamics is for people who can't build engines, then lightweight construction is for engineers who can't design chassis. In the early nineties, the Mitsubishi 3000 GT weighed more than a mid-size sedan, but cornered like a Mini. Despite this, the nimble little chubby car never really managed to gain a foothold in Europe. For this article, we drove one of the few 3000 GTs that came to Switzerland and tell the story of the technology carrier and its twin brother, the Dodge Stealth. Of course, we also recorded the sound of the V6.
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Jaguar XJ 6 3.2 Executive - Progress thanks to a step backwards
Five years after the takeover by Ford, Jaguar presented the first jointly developed model, the XJ 6 (X300). Almost everything had been improved, and the advertising spoke of the "perfect balance between innovation and tradition". The most striking feature was the four-eyed face, which led back to the beginnings of the XJ 6. This driving report is about a late 3.2-liter six-cylinder model and shows it in many pictures.
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Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 - Folding roof sun worshipper
When Mercedes-Benz launched the SLK in 1996, the car had no direct role model. You actually had to look back to the 190 SL to find a predecessor. But there were more parallels to that model than you might have guessed at first glance. The SLK made its mark and established an entire generation of folding-roof convertibles. This driving report focuses on the SLK 230 and tells the story of this innovative model, illustrated with current and historical photos as well as sales literature from the time.
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Porsche 993 Cabriolet - a safe bet?
The Porsche 993 is regarded as the best and most reliable air-cooled 911 and enjoys a very stable performance. Visually, it has a special position between the 964 and the water-cooled 996 and, thanks to the many variants, there is a 993 to suit almost everyone. This driving report focuses on the 272 hp 993 Cabriolet from the first years of production and shows it in current and historical images. Sales literature and a sound sample are also included.
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BMW 325i Convertible (E36) - Open at the top
Anyone driving through the mountains in summer wants to see the white-blue sky. That's no problem with a BMW convertible from the E36 series - all it takes is the push of a button. The second open-top generation of three managed the balancing act and functioned as a chic car as well as an everyday car for the average consumer. Compared to its predecessor, the E30, the E36 had made huge gains in all respects. This article explains the recipe for success of the open-top BMW E36 and shows many pictures of the convertible version.
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Audi Cabriolet 2.6E - Beautiful tear-up
Audi broke new ground with the Cabriolet based on the Audi Coupé. Until its appearance in 1991, the Ingolstadt-based company had done without an open-top model. Now, under Volkswagen's wing, the Bavarian manufacturer entered the world of open-air vehicles with an elegant, slightly wedge-shaped creation. This article, which is supplemented by extensive photographic material and a sales brochure, explains how the Audi Cabriolet got started and what it offered.
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BMW 535i - sporty sedan with a claim to leadership
The BMW five-door of the E34 series is already over 30 years old, but when driving it feels almost as modern as today's cars. In fact, the new four-door models built from 1988 onwards represented a major step forward for BMW, putting it on a par with its competitor from Sindelfingen. The 535i was particularly sporty and luxurious with its 211 hp straight-six engine, which is the subject of this driving report illustrated with many current and historical pictures.
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Toyota Supra Turbo - The inconspicuous hero
Japanese sports cars are often said to lack emotion, despite their technocratic perfection. When the fourth-generation Toyota Supra was launched, it was also accused of not being enough of a sports car. It wasn't until eight years later that this changed - admittedly without Toyota's involvement. This article introduces the Toyota Supra Mk. 4 and explains how it became one of the most famous movie cars of the 21st century.
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MG RV8 - Quasi-factory restomod
With the MG RV8, Rover gave die-hard fans of the traditional brand exactly what they wanted. A car that looked like the roadsters of the sixties, powered by modern engine technology and elegantly equipped. Today, such a car would probably be called a "restomod", but back then Rover wanted to test the strength of the brand. Less than 2000 examples were built, many of which went to Japan. But some of the cars came back. This driving report tells the story of the MG RV8 and shows it in extensive photo material. Of course, a sound sample is also included.
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Chrysler Viper RT/10 - of snakes and real sports cars
In 1989, Chrysler unveiled a new sports car in Detroit that completely shattered the image that people had of luxury-oriented, pseudo-sporty American cars at the end of the 1980s. With no air conditioning and only a manual gearbox, the 1.5-ton two-seater with a soft top was announced for 30,000 dollars, not to mention with an eight-liter V10 engine behind the front axle. It turned out to be a little more expensive and a little more suitable for everyday use than the concept car, but the Dodge/Chrysler Viper RT/10 remained true to its spirit. This driving report tells the story of the Viper and shows the concept car and its successors in many pictures. There is also a sound sample!
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Opac Più - More is less
Opac had mainly made a name for itself as a supplier of convertible tops and hardtops. But in 1996, the Italians presented a small, open-top sports car based on the Peugeot 106, which was to go into small series production. The Più was pretty, fast and elegantly equipped - and yet remained a one-off. This article introduces the Opac Più and shows it in many photos.
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Subaru SVX - Granturismo spaceship
In the 1980s, Subaru was primarily known for pragmatic everyday cars with all-wheel drive. With the SVX, the Japanese manufacturer took a big leap forward in the 1990s to compete directly with Porsche and the like. With futuristic styling, all-wheel drive and a water-cooled six-cylinder boxer engine, it clearly set itself apart from the competition. This driving report shows the Subaru SVX in current and historical pictures as well as in contemporary advertising.
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Toyota Sera - Critique of Pure Reason
From the outset, the Toyota Sera was intended purely as a fun car for young buyers. So little practical use was required that it was not even given conventional doors, but was allowed to stretch its wings skywards like butterflies. This article tells the story of the Toyota Sera and shows it in many current and contemporary photos.
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Ferrari F355 F1 Spider - Miami twice
With the Ferrari F355, the sports car manufacturer from Maranello replaced the 348, which had been severely outclassed by the competition. With the F355, Ferrari achieved a convincing liberation. Even today, the sports car still impresses with its qualities, especially as a Spider. You can also come to terms with the F1 automated manual gearbox. This driving report shows a late F355 F1 Spider in many pictures and tells the story of the model. There is also a sound sample.
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Citroën XM - Floating procedure
For Citroën, the XM was supposed to be the ticket to the luxury class at the beginning of the 1990s. The experiment failed and the big Citroën was a flop. Today, it is on the verge of becoming a desirable rarity. This article tells its story and shows it in current and historical images.
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Maserati 3200 GT - Granturismo between tradition and future
When the Maserati 3200 GT was presented in 1998, this coupé embodied a new beginning for the sports car manufacturer from Modena. The 2+2-seater was a classic Granturismo and won over both the press and buyers. Today, the 3.2-liter biturbo coupés are sought after above all for their boomerang-shaped rear lights. This report focuses on a Maserati 3200 GT from 1999, shows it in historical and current pictures and tells the story of the model.
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VW Golf Country - a Golf for all occasions
Four-wheel drive was no longer new at Volkswagen in 1989, but the fact that the VW Golf was raised and given a brute off-road vehicle look was still something of a sensation. The result even went into series production and drove quite convincingly, even if the high-traction VW Golf Country was more suitable for asphalt and gravel than for rough terrain. This report is about one of the surviving VW Golf Country, tells its story and shows it in many illustrations and in the sales literature of the time.
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McLaren F1 GTR - from road sports car to Le Mans winner
The three-seater McLaren F1 mid-engine sports car was not actually intended as a racing car. But in 1995, private teams competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with optimized road sports cars and surprisingly won. Now BMW had also tasted blood and race-optimized F1 GTRs were developed. Although they lagged somewhat behind the great success, they are among the most beautiful racing cars of all time. This report is about the GTR version of the McLaren F1 and shows it in many historic pictures.
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The Renault Sport Spider - The yellow of the egg
With the Sport Spider, Renault brought out a car that was aimed at driving enthusiasts, and only at them. The open-top two-seater dispensed with all luxury. Two seats, four wheels, a lively engine, no roof - a recipe that guarantees driving pleasure. This driving report describes the driving characteristics of the Sport Spider and shows it in many pictures.
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Mazda RX-7 Turbo II Cabriolet - Wankel individualism for sun-seekers
Three generations of the Mazda RX-7 were built, the middle one from 1985 to 1991/1992, with which Europeans were also able to enjoy a turbo version of the famous twin-disc Wankel engine with an impressive 200 hp. Only the second generation was also available as a convertible, which today is certainly one of the most attractive RX-7 derivatives, especially when equipped with the intercooler turbo engine. This driving report is dedicated to the Mazda RX-7 Turbo II and shows it in historical and current images. A sound sample is also included.
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Heroes for everyday life - Ford Escort RS Cosworth meets Toyota Celica GT-Four
Those who sent road cars onto the rally warpath 20 years ago souped up bourgeois men with steroids and created homologated mutants from mass-produced cars. The Ford Escort RS Cosworth and Toyota Celica GT-Four represent a time when rallying still stood for brand identity. This article compares the two homologation vehicles and shows them in many pictures.
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Mazda 323 GT-R - Anti-Integrale-Cosworth
At the IAA 1991, Mazda presented the 323 GT-R, an evolutionary model of the all-wheel drive compact car, to compete against the Lancia Delta Integrale or Ford Escort RS Cosworth. Despite the good facilities, it didn't quite work out, but the car is still interesting. This report describes the history of the GT-R, explains where it came from and shows it in extensive photo material.
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Audi A2 - Gone with the wind
When you think of the Audi A2, you think of failure. The small aluminum ball was a flop as a new car. It is now all the more in demand as a youngtimer. This article looks back at the history of the innovative oddball and shows it in many pictures.
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Fourth generation Toyota Camry V6 - restraint and reliability
With the fourth-generation Camry, Toyota wanted to finally arrive in the upper middle class. Although it could not score against its rivals in many categories, it offered the indestructibility of a Toyota and a lavish standard equipment package. This report tells its story and gives the impressions of the Camry from the perspective of a new driver with a heart for classics.
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Ascari Ecosse - overlooked super sports car
Lee Noble is one of Britain's most talented sports car designers. In addition to cars bearing his name, he also developed others, including the Ascari FGT/Ecosse. And this was even able to win over spoiled super sports car drivers. This vehicle report tells the brief history of the Ascari Ecosse and shows it in many pictures.
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BMW 750i versus 730i - more or less BMW
Dreams are usually big - especially for classic car enthusiasts. But does it always have to be the fully equipped car, the horsepower car or the big-size convertible? These are questions that passionate classic car enthusiasts may ask themselves when the online search they do every evening throws up dream cars by the dozen. So it's a question that never ceases to excite us: would a glass of seltzer do instead of sparkling champagne? The BMW 730i vs. 750i comparison gets to the bottom of this question, with astonishing results.
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Lexus LS 400 - when Japan lured the German luxury class out of its reserve
Today, the Lexus brand is well known, but when the LS 400 was shown for the first time, it had only just been founded. With the first model, the Japanese presented a convincing luxury sedan with modern drive technology and luxury equipment. The competition from Audi, BMW and Mercedes certainly had a tough time of it. This vehicle report is dedicated to the first Lexus LS 400, which received the coveted veteran status in Switzerland, and shows it in many pictures and in the original sales literature.
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Isdera Commendatore 112i - a super sports car that was lost in time
It looks like it was built for the Hunaudières straight at Le Mans and indeed the Isdera Commendatore 112i was considered the fastest German sports car ever in 1993, but its genesis was difficult and its clock ran out before it could really show its talent. This vehicle report traces the history of the mid-engined sports car and shows all its evolutionary stages.
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Isuzu Piazza Turbo - exotic coupé from the oldest Japanese car manufacturer
Design by Giorgetto Giugiaro, chassis by Lotus, four-cylinder turbo engine, rear-wheel drive and suitability for everyday use, built by the traditional Japanese manufacturer Isuzu. Customers should have flocked to it! Yes, perhaps, if they could have. But the coupé was only sold in a few countries. And only for a few years. This driving report is about an Isuzu Piazza Turbo from 1990 and shows it in many current and historical photos. Of course, there is also a sound sample and, as an encore, a test video from 1988.
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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEL (W140) - a ship is coming
Hardly any other car was as polarizing in the 1990s as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class W140 series. Too big, too ostentatious, that was the criticism. This criticism has since been silenced, because a W 140 is no bigger than a current Passat. Only much more sophisticated. But how does the top saloon, the 600 SEL from back then, feel today? This driving report focuses on the twelve-cylinder version of the Mercedes-Benz W140 series and portrays it in current and historical pictures.
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Ford Sierra Cosworth 4x4 - family sports car with a green paint job
When the successor to the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth was presented in 1988, some fans were somewhat disappointed, as the "new one" was much more civilian and suitable for everyday use. This did not change with the 4x4 version that followed in 1990, except that it was now even faster with 220 catalytic converter horsepower. Visually inconspicuous, the "Cossie" had become a veritable "wolf in sheep's clothing". This driving report is about a Ford Sierra Cosworth 4x4 with catalytic converter from 1991 and shows it in many pictures and some historical photo material. There is also a sound sample.
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Bentley Turbo S - smooth sports sedan with lots of potential
The Turbo version based on the Mulsanne saloon launched a success story for Bentley in 1982, which ultimately led to the fastest model in the series, the Turbo S from 1994/1995. Despite increasing performance and sporty chassis, the saloons remained suitable for everyday use and desirable. This has not changed to this day. This driving report focuses on the rare Bentley Turbo S, but covers the entire model evolution from the Mulsanne Turbo to the Turbo RT.
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Open top in small format - a comparison of the Henkel cabriolets
Convertible fun doesn't have to be expensive, especially not with a classic car. The Opel Kadett, Ford Escort and VW Golf prove that you can enjoy open-top driving fun even on a budget.
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Volvo C70 - not just for modern saints
When Volvo presented the C70 in Paris in 1996, the brand already had an impressive coupé tradition. However, the C70, which was powered exclusively by five-cylinder engines, was positioned significantly differently to the P 1800 or 480 ES. And it was also available as a convertible. The Americans loved both versions, but here in Germany the C70 siblings had a somewhat harder time, despite their intoxicating beauty and innovative technology. This vehicle report looks back some 25 years and describes the first-generation C70.
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Rarity Porsche Carrera 2 Speedster in "Turbo Look" - wide even more exclusive
The 911 Speedster based on the G model had been a surprise success, but the successor based on the 964 came late and only as a narrow version. However, anyone who really wanted one could still order a widebody version, and it was a pretty good investment, as only 15 were made. This report tells the story of the Porsche 964 Speedster and its rare wide brother, illustrated with many pictures.
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Audi A8 Coupé - is it art or can it go?
In 1997, an elegant Audi upper-class coupé was presented at the Geneva Motor Show to little attention, and later that year it was also shown at the IAA. It was based on the aluminum A8 and had an extremely coherent and high-quality appearance. Nevertheless, the series decision was negative. A pity, because today this variant in particular would certainly find enthusiastic buyers as a classic. This report tells the story of the Audi A8 Coupé and shows it in many pictures.
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Porsche 968 - highlight and stopgap
When the Porsche 968 appeared in 1991, the four-cylinder transaxle sports car was already entering its third, perhaps even fourth life. Completely revised once again, the 968 was supposed to ensure rising sales figures. This was not really successful, even though the coupé and convertible were convincing and versatile sports cars. The price was high and the competition competed with more cylinders. The end came after just four years. For good. More than 25 years later, it's time to look back. This driving report focuses on the Porsche 968 Coupé, tells its story and shows it in historical and current photographs. There is also a sound sample.
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Lancia Hyena Zagato - individualist with rally genes
Zagato took the technology of the Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione and gave it a lightweight aluminum dress and a lot of carbon. The result was a super sports car that was around 200 kilograms lighter than its technical donor
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Bentley Continental R - the new self-confidence of a legendary brand
With the Continental R, Bentley launched the first completely independent model since the 1950s. Elegant, fast and also a little sporty - that was the look of the understated Granturismo with its V8 turbo engine. It was very expensive, but customers loved it. It was built in various versions for around 12 years. This report focuses on the early Bentley Contintental R, tells the history of the model and shows it in historical and current images.
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Nissan Figaro - co-founder of retro design
Launched in Tokyo in 1989, the Figaro was available in little more than a year and saw a rush of buyers like few cars before it. It followed the Nissan Be-1 and the Pao, which many consider to be the first cars to be designed in a retro style. The small, pretty Figaro is even more exotic today than it was then and is rarely seen - no wonder, with only 20,000 vehicles built. Underneath the bodywork, which is reminiscent of the 1950s, is the technology of the Nissan Micra.
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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - and woe betide you if it lets go...
The "Chimaera" is a fire-breathing monster from Greek mythology. On the occasion of a test drive with the 5-liter model of the TVR, we wanted to find out how much fire there is in the unconventional Briton and how it drives today, more than 20 years after its presentation. This much can be revealed: The soundscape alone before we set off was impressive...
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Zagato Raptor Concept - the somewhat different Lamborghini Diablo
The Raptor is a concept car built by Zagato in collaboration with Lamborghini and is based on the Lamborghini Diablo VT. The one-off weighs around 300 kilograms less than a standard Diablo thanks to the use of carbon and magnesium. The futuristic sports car was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 1996.
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Buick Reatta - Rarity with show car looks and everyday technology
The name apparently associated the Buick Reatta with nautics and in fact the manufacturer was shipwrecked, as the hoped-for production figures could not be realized in any way. But the two-seater, which was available as a coupé and convertible, was actually a well-designed car that fitted in well with the times. This vehicle report tells the story of the Buick Reatta and the Wildcat concept car, which influenced its style, and shows the car in many pictures.
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Chevrolet Corvette SRIII 0001 - The one-off from Ken Hanna
Ken Hanna fulfilled a long-cherished lifelong dream when he and his business partner decided to design a completely custom Corvette. The 1957 SR2 and Montana models, among others, were the stylistic inspiration. This custom Corvette is now up for auction at the Mecum-Autkion from October 24 - 26, 2019. Our vehicle report shows this special vehicle in words and pictures.
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Lamborghini LM002 - an off-road vehicle could hardly be more exclusive
The LM002 with its V12 engine from the Countach is probably the most extraordinary car that Lamborghini has ever built. The off-road vehicle had outstanding off-road characteristics and was luxuriously equipped inside. However, its weight and high performance made it a thirsty companion.
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Aston Martin Virage - underrated beauty?
When the Aston Martin Virage was launched in 1988, its predecessor could already look back on a history of over 20 years. With new styling and improved technology, but also enormously high prices, the coupé took on the competition from Ferrari and other sports car brands. Despite its initial success, the number of units produced remained modest, and today the Virage is one of the lesser-known models from the manufacturer in Newport Pagnell. Perhaps the Granturismo is even completely underestimated? This driving report focuses on an early coupé and shows it in current and historical images. Of course, there is also a sound sample.
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Ferrari 550 Maranello - distinguished Granturismo
In 1996, the Ferrari 550 Maranello was presented as a coupé that was completely different from its predecessor. Not only was the engine now at the front instead of in the middle, but comfort and everyday practicality were also given much greater priority during development. The result was well received, as evidenced by the enthusiastic press and the long delivery times. The 550 was built for almost six years as a coupé and later also as a Barchetta. This driving report is about an early Ferrari 550 Maranello and it shows the car in many pictures, but the sound sample is not missing either.
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VW Corrado VR6 - sporty Volkswagen Gran Turismo
In 1988, Volkswagen presented the VW Corrado, the first "real" sports car and probably the only one to be produced in series to this day. Almost 100,000 units of the coupé, which was originally intended to be launched as the Scirocco 3, were built. The G60 and VR6 variants were particularly attractive. And they still are today. This driving report is dedicated to the VW Corrado VR6 and describes the development history of the sporty coupé.
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Lancia Delta LaSupra - truly a Transformer
When Peter Pentell bought an ordinary 1992 Lancia Delta Evolution in 2001, nobody could have guessed that this car would become a beast that would one day race at Goodwood. Over the years, Pentell continued to rebuild the car, adding parts and replacing what he could. Our article takes a look at the history of this unique car and shows some pictures of it.
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Porsche 964 Carrera 4 WTL - wide cheeks from the factory
The Porsche 964 Turbo appealed to Porsche buyers with its wide fenders, but was probably too expensive for many. As an alternative, the wide body could also be ordered ex works for a normal 964. This option was called "Werks Turbo Look", which was not very cheap, which is why it was not ordered very often. But what is a WTL 964 like to drive? This driving report tells the story behind the 964 WTL and shows it in many photos.
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Alfa Romeo 155 Ti V6 ITC - technical evolution for Giancarlo Fisichella
Despite winning the title in 1993, the Alfa Romeo 155 soon proved to be less competitive in the years that followed, as its opponents had upgraded their cars. In a secret operation, a close-knit Alfa team built a completely redesigned touring car that beat its opponents several times in 1996. This report tells the story of the last evolution of the Alfa Romeo 155 Ti V6 ITC and shows Fisichella's car in historical and current pictures.
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