1972 was to be a momentous year for the British motor industry, as it produced 1.97 million cars – a record that still stands today – and reached a new sales peak of 1.7 million.
Many important new models were also launched, and among the first to arrive were the Ford Granada and the Vauxhall Victor.
Replacing the British Zephyr and the German Taunus, the Granada promised great improvements. The pioneering independent suspension has been upgraded, as have the 2.0-litre V4 and 2.5-litre V6 engines (joined by a 3.0-litre V6).
Ford also promised better ride and handling, which had been a problem on the Zephyr, and sang the benefits of a more compact body.
While Dagenham’s last was aimed at executives, Luton’s fifth Victor was aimed at families.
FD Victor had broken away from FC, but FE came as a more progressive development.
The main objective was to create a more spacious cabin in the same size body, to make driving more restful while maintaining good handling and to improve performance.
Some 504,000 Granadas were built up to 1977 and 191,000 Victors up to 1978. More importantly, the FE would be the last Vauxhall designed without Opel.
Excellent coupe from Audi
The 100 saloon was Audi’s first all-new since the brand’s 1965 revival, and it spawned the ‘elegant’ 100 Coupe S, which ‘greatly impressed’ us when it arrived in the UK.
We explained: “It offers a high degree of comfort and is exceptionally quiet. The ride is safe and predictable and the brakes are superb. The economy is excellent and the performance fast. Last but not least, it is solidly built and superbly finished.
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Source: release-perf-prod-d7-autocar-co-uk.whatcardev.haymarket.com
This notice was published: 2022-03-09 05:01:24
