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2003 Cars

As 2003 draws to a close, Pictures of Cars takes a look at some of the best new cars we've seen in 2003, and looks forward to those that we're most looking forward to photographing in 2004.

Without doubt, it's been a great year for new, picturesque cars with some significant introductions from all the major manufacturers.

BMW

M3 CSL

The year's trend for lighter faster versions of already very fast cars started with the BMW M3 CSL which took a standard M3 (sporting 338 bhp and capable of 0-60 in just over 5 seconds) and threw out everything that it didn't need, and added an extra 18bhp for good measure.  The result was a 0-60 in just over 4 seconds (4.3) putting the super coupe's performance into true supercar territory.

New 5 Series

More importantly for the company, 2003 also saw the launch of the company's new 5 series, probably one of the most dangerous moments in car history.  The outgoing model has been hailed as the perfect executive car, offering a blend of performance and comfort that was outstanding for a reasonably modest price.  For such an important event, the Bangle styling was toned down slightly compared to that of its big brother the seven series , but the car's design was still fairly outrageous for this conservative market sector.  

The motoring press was left to conclude that the new car was technically superior in almost all respects to the outgoing model, but that the looks would dent its sales.  We say well done BMW for daring to stick to its Bangle designs, and we'll predict that the car will be another big seller.  And in the long run, when the world gets used to the daring design, we'll all be thankful that Bangle and BMW once again dared to be bold.

Mini

Several new variants of the mine emerged, including the Mini One D which boasts 75 bhp from a 1.4 litre engine based on Toyota's excellent D-4D engine mated to a Cooper S 5 speed gearbox.  The result was useable performance combined with fuel consumption of a shade less than 60mpg.  With a five year after sales package, great residuals and now fuel economy to die for, this could well be the cheapest car in the world to own and run.  If you're looking for low cost motoring, you have to give this more than a second look.

And at the other end of the Mini scale, 2003 saw the introduction of the Cooper S Works into a market flooded with official and unofficial tuned minis.  But the S Works can handle that because a Works performance Mini has numerous benefits over the rest in terms of potential reliability and presumably warranty in the even of problems.  The Works offers a stagger 200bhp and torque figures of around 240lb ft, resulting in a 0-60 time of just 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 141 mph.

 Ferrari

Enzo

The big feat of the year was the appearance of real live Enzo's on the roads.  This is certainly a car for celebrities and racing drivers only; we can't imagine any mere mortals blasting around the English countryside in such a thinly disguised F1 special.  But it deserves recognition as one of those cars that kids just have to dream of, and which will appear on millions of bedroom walls across the nation.  There may be other contenders for the ultimate supercar title, but none of them wear the badge of Ferrari, and in a year that saw yet anther Ferrari F1 victory, the Ferrari shield is all important.

Ferrari Enzo

360 Challenge Stradale

The Italians also joined in the stripping out party with the Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale; 100Kg of surplus weight was removed from their already excellent 360 Modena.  The result was another supercar capable of completing 0-60 in a  4 seconds and sporting a top speed of 186 mph, thanks to the extra 20bhp it gains over its standard sibling.  

Ferrari 360CS

However, a price tag of 133,000 is significantly more money, for arguably less car than the Modena.  While many will love the extra performance, we wonder whether, like the BMW CSL, the Challenge Stradale is just a bit too hard for the average Ferrari buyer.  The minority who want to run their supercars on the track might be prepared to pay the extra cash for the faster 360, but many will still prefer the more complete Modena.  You've got to admire Ferrari for trying though, the prices is almost 30,000 more than the standard car which is neatly priced at the 100,000 mark.

Porsche

2003 was a great year for Porsche cars with the brilliant Boxster getting a significant revamp at the end of 2002 for the start of MY2003 (Model Year 2003), the release of several variants of the 911, including the fabulous 911 (996) GT3 and the launch of the Porsche Cayenne (Turbo and S variants).   In addition, the company revealed to the world the fabulous Carrera GT supercar.

MY2003 Porsche Boxster

Further details of 2003 Porsche Cars

Whilst the company may have only three, or four if you count the Carrera GT, models, these cars represent the very best in each of their classes; the Boxster is without a doubt the best mid engine convertible, the Cayenne is the clear winner in any multi purpose 4x4 test, and the various models of 911 win in a number of categories, including the fabulous GT3 which we think is the best new performance car of 2003 in any class.