1989 in motoring

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Last updated April 02, 2023

1989 in motoring includes developments in the automotive industry throughout the year 1989 by various automobile manufacturers, grouped by country. The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles.

United Kingdom

The new Ford Fiesta used the same floorplan as the original 1976 version, but with a new bodyshell which, for the first time, was available with five doors as well as three. The range included a 1.0 unit and a 1.6 8-valve CVH engine which fit under the bonnet of the XR2i, which had fuel injection. There was also a 1.4 Ghia model, sold only as a 5-door with electric front windows and the option of anti-lock brakes. The Escort received a minor update with a new badge at the rear and some trim revisions and enjoyed its best-ever sales year in the UK with over 180,000 sold.

Rover Group plc launched a new 200 Series in October which unlike the previous four-door saloon car, was a hatchback available with five doors with a three door version to follow later. The Rover 400 Series saloon would launch in April 1990, effectively replacing the saloon version of the previous 200 Series. The 200 Series was powered by a range of new K-Series petrol engines ranging from 1.4 to 2.0 litres. There was also a 1.8 turbo-diesel. The hatchback was marketed as a Ford Escort rival, but the slightly larger saloon was competing against cars such as the Ford Sierra and Vauxhall Cavalier. Following the launch of these new model ranges, Maestro and Montego production was reduced, while a new version of the Metro was planned for sale in 1990. The long-running Mini celebrated its 30th year in production.

Jaguar became part of the Ford Motor Company, five years after being privatised in its sell-off from British Leyland. Updated versions of the Jaguar XJS coupe and convertible were planned.

Vauxhall reentered the coupe market, eight years after the Cavalier Sport Hatch went out of production. The new entrant in this sector was the Calibra, which was based on the front-wheel drive chassis of the latest Cavalier, and used the Cavalier's 2.0 8-valve and 16-valve engines while the MK2 Astra received a minor facelift with the saloon version now called the Astra Belmont.

France

Renault launched its R19 range, a three- and five-door hatchback aimed to compete with cars such as the Ford Escort and Volkswagen Golf. It succeeded the R9 and R11 ranges, and was powered by 1.4 and 1.7 petrol engines as well as a 1.9 diesel.

Peugeot launched the 605 range, a four-door saloon with 2.0 four-cylinder and 2.9 V6 petrol engines as well as a 2.1 turbo-diesel.

Citroen replaced its CX range with the XM featuring self-levelling oleo-pneumatic suspension. Its engines were all sourced from the Peugeot 605, but unlike the Peugeot, the XM was available as an estate as well as a hatchback although it wouldn't launch until 1991 while the CX version continued until then.

Germany

Mercedes-Benz launched a new version of its SL sports car for the first time in 18 years, available with a 3.0 V6 or 5.0 V8 engine.

BMW replaced the 13-year-old 6 Series with the new 850i.

Italy

The Fiat Regata saloon and "Weekend" estate ceased production, and were replaced by the Tipo-based Tempra saloon and "Station Wagon". It was powered by the same 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 petrol engines which power the Tipo models, but offered a larger boot. The Station Wagon came with the option of seven seats.

Lancia launched a new saloon version of the Delta - the Dedra - to replace the Prisma. It used the same engine and chassis as the hatchback, and was also available with a 2.0 turbo engine from the Delta Integrale.

Japan

Mazda launch the new MX5 two-seater roadster. It offered a style similar to the 1968 Lotus Elan.

Nissan launched a new 200SX 2+2 sports coupe powered by a 2.0 16-valve turbo engine, capable of nearly 140 mph.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vauxhall Cavalier</span> Car model

The Vauxhall Cavalier was a large family car that was sold primarily in the UK by Vauxhall from 1975 to 1995. It was based on a succession of Opel designs throughout its production life, during which it was built in three incarnations. The first generation of Cavalier, launched in 1975 and produced until 1981, was based on the existing Opel Ascona and Opel Manta with a few minor visual differences.

The Rover 200 Series, and later the Rover 25, are a series of small family cars that were produced by British manufacturer Rover from 1984 until 2005.

The Rover 400 Series, and later the Rover 45, are a series of small family cars that were produced by the British manufacturer Rover from 1990 to 2005. The cars were co-developed as part of Rover's collaboration with Honda. The first-generation 400 was based on the Honda Concerto, and the Mark II 400 was based on the Honda Domani/Civic.

1980 in motoring deals with developments in the automotive industry that occurred in 1980, listed by country. The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles.

1981 in motoring deals with developments in the automotive industry that occurred in 1981, listed by country. The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles.

1982 in motoring includes developments in the automotive industry throughout the year 1982 by various automobile manufacturers, grouped by country.

This article 1983 in motoring deals with developments in the automotive industry throughout the year 1983 by various automobile manufacturers, grouped by country. The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles, and is one of the Earth's most important economic sectors by revenue.

The article 1985 in motoring deals with developments in the automotive industry throughout the year 1985 by various automobile manufacturers, grouped by country. The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles. The first practical automobile with a petrol engine was built by Karl Benz in 1885 in Mannheim, Germany.

1986 in motoring includes developments in the automotive industry throughout the year 1989 by various automobile manufacturers, grouped by country. The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles.

1988 in motoring includes developments in the automotive industry throughout the year 1988 by various automobile manufacturers, grouped by country. The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles.

1990 in motoring includes developments in the automotive industry throughout the year 1990 by various automobile manufacturers, grouped by country. The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles.

1991 in motoring includes developments in the automotive industry that occurred throughout the year 1991 by various automobile manufacturers, grouped by country. The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles.

1992 in motoring includes developments in the automotive industry that occurred throughout the year 1992 by various automobile manufacturers, grouped by country. The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles.

1994 in motoring includes developments in the automotive industry that occurred throughout the year 1994 by various automobile manufacturers, grouped by country. The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles.

1995 in motoring includes developments in the automotive industry that occurred throughout the year 1995 by various automobile manufacturers, grouped by country. The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles.

1996 in motoring includes with developments in the automotive industry that occurred throughout the year 1996 by various automobile manufacturers, grouped by country. The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles.

1997 in motoring deals with developments in the automotive industry that occurred in 1997, listed by country. The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles.

1998 in motoring includes developments in the automotive industry that occurred throughout the year 1998 by various automobile manufacturers, grouped by country. The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles.

This article 2000 in motoring deals with developments in the automotive industry that occurred throughout the year 2000 by various automobile manufacturers, grouped by country.

This article 2004 in motoring deals with developments in the automotive industry that occurred throughout the year 2004 by various automobile manufacturers, grouped by country.

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