CAROFTHE YEARCARCAR FORD FOCUS (Technical data for1.8 TDCi) Sold/no built 1998-2004/2,007,229 (all) Engine iron-block, alloy-head, sohc 1753cc diesel ‘four’, directinjection, turbocharger; 115bhp @ 3800rpm; 207lb ft @ 1850rpm Transmission five-speed manual, FWD Weight 2873lb (1303kg) Mpg 44.3 0-60mph 9.8secs Topspeed 110mph Price new £14,550 (2001) Price now £1-5000 ALFAROMEO156 (Technical data for2 .0 Twin Spark Veloce) Sold/no built 1997-2007/673,435 Engine all-allo y, dohc 1970cc ‘four’, Bosch multi-point sequential fuel injection; 155bhp @ 6400rpm; 138lb ft @ 3500rpm Transmission five-speed manual, FWD Weight 2877lb (1305kg) Mpg 24.6 0-60mph 8.3secs Topspeed 129mph Price new £19,574 (2000) Price now £2-10,000 CITROËN XM (Technical data forTurbo SD) Sold/no built 1989-2000/333,405 Engine iron-block, alloy-head, sohc 2088cc diesel ‘four’, mechanical injection, turbocharger; 110bhp @ 4300rpm; 183lb ft @ 2000rpm Transmission five-speed manual, FWD Weight 3718lb(1717kg) Mpg 32 0-60mph 13 .1 secs Topspeed 111mph Price new £20,640 (1992) Price now £1-10,000 From top: Focus shows mosthere a clean pair of heels in the corners; Alfa feels alertand fun; XM isatouch floaty 1990swildcard MAZDAMX- 5 By the ‘90s, CotY unashamedly favoured mainstream cars. But,given that Mazda soldamillion MX-5s globally between its launch in 1989and 2016,it’sabout as mainstream asatwo-seater,rear-drive open sports car can get. TheM X-5also embraced manyofthe qualitiessought by CotY–functionalit y, econom y, attractive design, fine handling, value–while its compactdimensions and light weight would have provedthat complexityand lots of kit shouldn’t alwaysbethe path to aCotY win. The‘90s also hosted two MX-5 generations, so no excuses, really. 1990srankings had with the Focus,while still making it appeal in multiple markets (it wasthe company ʼs firsttrueʻworldcarʼ),makes its impactasaCotYwinner all the moreimpressive. seems to getbetter as it ages,” says Steve, “apart from the fact that it continuedtobedogged by then-traditional Alfa Romeo reliability gremlins.Styling, size,sounds andhandling are all greatfor the era. There arenʼt enoughstill on theroad.”Ray is alsoasucker forits charms: “The 156 wasthe startofanew generation of Alfas that droveaswellastheylooked. This one isapeach,and stands up well today as acompact sports saloon.”Mattagrees:“From the moment youpushthe big door button you know this carisout to please you. And it still drivesreallywell, even if the driving position is poor.But this isagood, andgood-looking, ca r.” 1st Ford Focus 2nd AlfaRomeo 156 3rd Citroën XM Our final 1990s competitor wasanother turnaround modelafter its predecessor.Taking the final CotY trophyofthe centur y, the 1999-winning Ford Focus wasnothing shortof revelator y. Available asathree- or five-door hatch, estate andfour-door saloon,its ʻNew Edgeʼdesign wasfresh,modern andeasyon the eye, while its front-wheel-drive chassis – including Ford ʼs much-vaunted ʻControl Bladeʼ multi-link rearsuspension–setanew class benchmark.That Ford had achievedwhat it Ford Heritage ʼs low-mileage 1.6-litre Zetec hatchrepresents the coreofthe Focus range when ne w. It ʼs alsoone of the fewcarssofar to receive hardly anycriticismfromour panel after returning to Bicester ʼs mainhanga r. “The Focus wassuchahugestepforward from the Escort,”saysRay.“It showed the benefits of detail engineering anddevelopmentbyhaving perfect steering, andbeing the best-handling carofits class,combined with neat styling and good packaging .” Steveisequallyimpressed: “Anamazingly complete caratthe time.Its suppleride still feelsmodern, butlighter than today ʼs offerings.Astonishing progress,given the inadequacies of its predecessor.” And Matt sums up what all three judgesfeel: “The Focus is so good, it just redefined everything we expected from familyhatchbacks .” Enough said. The Ford is ourfinal20th-centuryfinalist. Thanksto Ford UK (ford.co.uk) February2024 Classic&Sports Car 93