On the cover:
A three-pointed star - All-new Mercedes SLK meets its rivals

News:
New Rover is a Proton......that's been fine-tuned by Lotus
Best of Brum, best of British - Brit brands lead Birmingham show
VXR adds X-factor to Vauxhal - New sporting brand to rival Ford's RS
Chinese takeaway - China plans exports to UK
Water Great Idea - Gibbs unveils an amphibious Humdinga
This week's Cars - Cost-cutting starts on new Peugeot 407

Regulars:
Peter Robinson - Merc V6 is different, but the same
John Coates - Don't deal with franchised dealers
Letters
20 Questions - For Simon Saunders
Chris Harris - Braking the bank
David Vivian / Howard Walker - Shows and GTOs
Steve Croaley - Masters in motor-noting
Alan Henry - What happened in the Monaco tunnel?
Ask Goddwin - MPVs and SUVs

New cars:
BMW 525d Touring/X3 2.5 - Five but bigger, X5 but smaller
Carlsson CK55 RS 580 - Utterly mental SL55 upgrade
Kia Picanto 1.1 SE - Small, cheap and worth every penny
Chrysler Voyager 2.8 CRD - Bigger, smoother lump for Yank van

Features:
A riot of roadsters - New Merc SLK v Z4 and Boxster
Pen Pushers - Car designers on fame and blame
Football wheels - Range Rovers, not Blackburn Rovers
Splitting the Atom - Thomas and Chilton go racing. And survive

Road test:
Aston Martin DB9 - Refined and really rather rapid

The long test:
Ford Focus C-Max TDCi - Updates: Beriingo, RX-8, E-class wagon

Sport:
Decapitation - Head steps down at Williams
Nurburgring All the action from Germany
Buyer's Guide - Cars For Sale
Over 2000 quality used cars - All the new car prices, updated every week
How Fast? - Test results - how we rate the best new cars