Techzle celebrates its 30th anniversary, which is why we look back every week on this week’s edition in 1990. As of today, Techzle 36 will be in the shops with a double test between the Kia XCeed and Toyota C-HR and for the first time we will send with the plug- in hybrid BMW 545e, but what was exactly thirty years ago in Techzle 36?
News
Where autoland is busy this week with the brand new Skoda Enyaq iV, Mercedes-Benz S-class and revised Peugeot 3008, there was exactly thirty years ago very different news to report. This is how the Volvo 960 enters the throne of the Swedish brand! As a major development of the 760, the 960 shows itself for the first time in the mid-1990s. It also immediately becomes clear that a more modestly priced brother in the form of the 940 is on the market. The Volvo 960 is ultimately in Dutch showrooms until 1997. The model will go through life for a short while as S90, after which the S80 takes over in 1998.
Porsche also has (smaller) news. It announces that it will come in 1991 with the Porsche 911 Turbo. The air-cooled power source produces 320 hp. For those days strange figures, but with the knowledge of today almost a joke. The current Porsche 911 Turbo is good for 580 hp … For the 944 S2, the entry-level vehicle at that time, Porsche also has a new rear spoiler ready.
Tests
Interestingly enough, Techzle 36 1990 does not focus on a double test, but many newcomers allow themselves to be driven for the first time. Take the Opel Corsa, which has been thoroughly overhauled. That was also allowed, because since its introduction in 1982, the popular Corsa was hardly updated. In addition to a more modern look, the more economical 1.2-liter injection engine demands a lot of attention. Another first can also prove itself for the first time: the Nissan Primera. It would be at the dealers from October 1990, but Techzle was the first to go a long way in the Japanese. All competitors in the middle class are allowed to wet their chest, because in the test the Primera turns out to be a formidable opponent. In 2020 we said goodbye to the Almera in Europe. The Qashqai is now seen as the formidable competitor for the rest.
In the week before, we already drove the all-new Ford Escort for the first time, but this week we are introduced to the rest of the range. At Mitsubishi we pick up a car of a completely different size for a test round: the passenger version of the L 300. It is 11.5 centimeters higher and can accommodate seven passengers. The panoramic roof is the eye-catcher of the bus, but don’t forget the “atmospheric fluorescent lighting” for the passengers in the back seat …
Reports
After all these years, the 2CV is still one of the most iconic cars ever built. In honor of the ‘Ugly Duck’ that went out of production at the end of July 1990, the entire history is extensively discussed. A TVR S has also been recorded for the Poster Story. That turns out to be a car “to steal”.
In the occasion part, three of which many an enthusiast’s heart beat faster: a used Fiat Uno Turbo, Opel Corsa GSi and Peugeot 205 GTI. So three fast little ones, but what to look out for when buying a used one? With the Uno, the petrol pump sometimes fails, the Corsa is characterized by rusting brake lines and the 205 sometimes leaks a lot of oil. The 205 turned out to be the best choice of all three. Thirty years later, we still dare to say that. And if you had known about ten years later what they are worth today!
