Seven models that need to make a comeback
Many much-loved nameplates have disappeared over the years. Here are seven of the best we think should be re-introduced
As markets, technology and consumer tastes change, so do car manufacturers’ model ranges. Unfortunately, this can lead to the demise of some much-loved nameplates – culled at the hands of the company accountants.
Honda S2000
The old car is a Japanese performance icon, with an engine that would rev to a staggering 9,000rpm – with peak power not arriving until 7,500rpm. That meant that performance from the 2.0-litre VTEC engine was hard-won but utterly intoxicating.
VW Caddy Pickup
We say bring back small pickup trucks, such as the VW Caddy, for those who need load-lugging ability but don’t want a vehicle the size of a planet with an agricultural diesel engine under the bonnet.
Citroen DS
Come on, DS – give the people what they’re crying out for. In our minds, we’re picturing avant-garde styling aboard a platform shared with the Peugeot 508. The interior must be spacious and quirky but, crucially, it has to have hydraulic suspension. We’d buy it in a heartbeat.
Mazda RX-7
Over the course of a 24-year production run and three model generations – the last of which was arguably the greatest – the wankel-powered monster gained fame for its incredible driving experience and glorious rotary engine note, wrapped up in ever-more sleek and sexy bodies.
Mazda is on a roll at the moment, and we think there’s no better time than now for it to reintroduce its most famous machine.
Renault Espace
At one point, the Espace was the best MPV on the roads. We want to see a return to that with good driving manners, palatial space in a clever and uniquely French interior and seven interchangeable, removable and hugely comfortable seats.
Toyota MR2
Though the GT86 fills the gap in Toyota’s range for a reasonably priced, sporty machine, we miss the MR2 and the route it represented to affordable mid-engined ownership.
Volvo P1800
There’s just something about that shooting-brake silhouette that makes the P1800 one of the coolest cars of all time, and it’s a shape we can see working very well with the current Volvo design language. Heck, hand it over to Polestar and we’ll gladly take a performance version too…
