2002: Hampton Enters the 21st Century
Left to right: Fennec MkIV 1.8 Prime 5-door in Graphite Grey, Ferret MkV Series II 2.8 Prime in Avondale Green, and Hampton Braemar 3.0i 4x4 in AA Yellow.
Hampton Motor Group underwent another extensive makeover for 2002 - all of its cars were either completely new or significantly updated. Their core range was as follows:
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Fennec MkIV - The entry-level offering in the range, available as a 3- or 5-door FWD hatchback with a choice of all-new 1.8-liter or 2.0-liter engines (featuring variable valve timing and lift - a first for Hampton), and fitted with an independent multilink rear suspension for the first time to improve ride and handling over its acclaimed predecessor.
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Ferret MkV Series II - Now with a larger base engine (2.5 liters vs 2.8 liters) incorporating variable valve timing and lift, the Ferret remains a solid mid-range premium offering in a highly competitive market.
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Braemar Mk2 - Completely redesigned for 2002 with retro styling reminiscent of the original 1956 Nevis, this rough-and-ready off-roader has a coil-sprung solid live axle setup front and rear for improved comfort, without sacrificing its predecessor’s off-road capabilities.
These three cars formed the bedrock of the 2002 Hampton Motor Group range, and comprised the majority of the company’s worldwide sales. In time, they would be joined by a new breed of premium and high-performance offerings, thereby fleshing out the lineup for the new century.