[Aditya]

Retrostyled modern cars that got it right

Retrostyling can make cars very desirable if done right. They bring to life memories of their parents' or grandparents' cars for some. Others might just a want a modern car that has classic-influenced looks.

Over the years we have seen many such cars that try to bring back the essence of their classic predecessors. Here are some that have got it right.

Mini

Perhaps the most popular retrostyled car of all, the 2000 Mini successfully emulates the original Mini from 1959. It looks similar and is a hoot to drive. Newer generations have continued attracting audiences all over the world. High performance versions are available as well. The Mini is no longer a cheap car, but still guarantees the driver similar excitement to much more expensive sports cars.





Image Source - Wikipedia

Volkswagen Beetle

Volkswagen introduced the new Beetle in 1997. It had everything going for it. The looks were very similar to the vastly popular original Beetle and it had the underpinnings of a Golf. This made it very nice to drive as well. The only thing different from the old car was that its engine was in the front.





Image Source - Wikipedia

Fiat 500

The third of the peoples' cars in the list is the Fiat 500. Fiat previewed the new 500 model in March 2007 – fifty years after the first Fiat 500 was presented. Just like the Beetle, the new 500 took styling cues from the original car. Again just like the Beetle, it saw a switch from a rear-engined layout to a front-engined one. Like the original car, a hot Abarth version is available. Like the Mini and Beetle, the 500 is no longer a cheap car, but boy does it attract attention!





Image Source - Wikipedia

Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang has been in production since 1964. It was an instant hit with young Americans. It was cheap compared to European sports cars, yet fast and good looking. While the third and fourth-gen cars looked radically different from the original, the fifth-gen model brought back the classic design of the original in 2005. Once again, the Mustang rose in popularity and flew out of the showrooms! The sixth-gen model, which came in 2015 looks like an evolution of its predecessor. The Mustang is now so popular worldwide, that Ford has introduced right-hand drive versions of the car - something it had not done in earlier times.





Image Source - Wikipedia

Chevrolet Camaro

The Camaro is one of the Mustang's traditional rivals. It went into productions in 1966. The second, third and fourth-gen cars looked quite different from each other. The Camaro could not match the success of the Mustang and General motors discontinued the car in 1992. However, the fifth-gen Ford Mustang was flying out of the showrooms and General Motors thought it would be a good idea to reintroduce the Camaro. Therefore, it brought the badge back in 2010. With the fifth-generation model, the company also brought back the classic look of the original Camaro. Like the Mustang, the sixth-gen car looks like an evolution of its predecessor.





Image Source - Wikipedia

Dodge Challenger

The third muscle car from Detroit came from the Chrysler group. The Dodge Challenger went into production in 1969 when muscle cars were all the rage. The second-gen car, which was introduced in 1977, looked different from its predecessor. The Challenger went off the market in 1983. But, inspired by the success of the fifth-gen Ford Mustang, Chrysler the Dodge Challenger back to life in 2008. This third-gen car, which is still on sale, looks very similar to the original Challenger.





Image Source - Wikipedia

Mercedes G-Wagen

The Mercedes G-Wagen or G-Class has been in production since 1979 and every generation looks similar to the original. The present day car was launched in 2018 and even that one retains the boxy look of the original with subtle modernisation. There are high performance versions from AMG available that have gained popularity among the rich and influential. The G-Wagen is regarded as one of the coolest vehicles around. It won't go away any time soon.





Image Source - Wikipedia

Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler retains the classic looks of the original CJ. It has a squared off body with external fenders and a slatted grille. While the Wrangler debuted in 1986 with rectangular headlamps, it has been sporting round headlights since 1996, which makes it even closer in resemblance to the CJ. The design is extremely popular the world over and there are many other companies around the world that have sold vehicles inspired but it. However, no one other than FCA can use the name Jeep. FCA also got Mahindra to alter the look of its Roxor off-roader, which is on sale in the US.





Image Source - Wikipedia

Porsche 911

Just like the G-Wagen, the 911 has retained its classic look over the years. It has been in production since 1963. Every generation, including the latest 992 has sported the same rear-engined layout as the original. The 911 is so popular, that Porsche dare not alter the styling drastically. The car's fans will just not tolerate any major deviations. Porsche need not worry though. The 911 is one of the most popular sports cars in the world.





Image Source - Wikipedia

Ford Bronco

In 2020, after a gap of 25 years, Ford has brought back the iconic Bronco brand with the launch of a new range of SUVs in the US market. The new Bronco is available in 2-door, 4-door and Bronco Sport models. The new Bronco borrows styling cues from the original. It has an upright front fascia with circular headlamps and 'Bronco' lettering in the centre. The 2-door and 4-door models come with soft and hard top options and removable doors and roof sections. The Bronco's reintroduction has created quite a buzz in the market. Ford will start taking orders for the off-roader from this month and the market response is expected to be very strong.





Image Source - Wikipedia

Ford GT

Ford brought back the GT name in 2004 with this supercar that looked similar to the GT40 from 1964, which competed in the 24 hours of LeMans. Remember the movie Ford vs Ferrari? The new GT was stunning to behold and with 550 BHP and 678 Nm at its disposal, it could hit a top speed of 330 km/h. 4,038 GTs were built through 2005 and 2006. The second-generation GT came in December 2016. It is even more powerful and faster.





Image Source - Wikipedia

Mercedes SLS AMG

Just like the Ford GT, Mercedes brought a legendary style back from the dead with the SLS AMG. The car had gullwing doors just like the 300 SL from the 1950s. Those are probable the coolest doors any car could ever have! The grille and aggressive looking air vents on the sides were also taken from it old car. Today, the old 300 SL is a collector's item. I am pretty sure the SLS AMG will become on too!





Image Source - Wikipedia

BMW Z8

The BMW Z8's design was clearly inspired by the 507 roadster from the 1950s. The slim radiator grille with headlamps set above it and air vents on the side placed just ahead of the doors definitely brought back memories of the 507. This car was first seen in the James Bond film The World is Not Enough. BMW's manufacturing facility in Munich rolled out Z8s between 2000 and 2003.





Image Source - Wikipedia

Suzuki Jimny

The latest generation Suzuki Jimny is clearly retrostyled. It takes design cues from each of the earlier generation cars. It has a boxy body, round headlamps, an upright grille with vertical slats and horizontally oriented tail lamps placed low in the rear bumper. The Jimny has gained fans from all over the world. In fact, Suzuki has started manufacturing the car here in India. Unfortunately, it is not for us to buy.





Image Source - Wikipedia

Ford Thunderbird

The first-gen Thunderbird went on sale in 1954. With each passing generation, Ford altered the luxury coupe's styling and none of the original car's successors looked similar to it. In 1997, the company pulled the plug on the Thunderbird. In 2002, Ford brought back the Thunderbird name with a retrostyled coupe. It clearly resembled the original car with round headlamps, toothy grille and small round windows on the sides of the roof. Unfortunately, the Thunderbird did not become as popular as some other retrostyled cars and once again, the Thunderbird nameplate was buried! While production ended in 2005, the car's design ensured that it stood out among other cars on the road.





Image Source - Wikipedia

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line.

[Eshan Joshi]

Here are some more:


Toyota FJ Cruiser:




Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40:





Toyota Century:

3rd Gen




1st Gen

[JTM]

The modern MAT Lancia Stratos definitely deserves a spot in this list. Absolutely droolworthy, yet faithful to the original.







Automobili Amos' modern interpretation of the Lancia Delta Integrale, the Lancia Delta Futuristica, is just breathtaking.





The Eagle E Type Low-Drag and Eagle E Type Speedster are achingly beautiful modern cars that transport you to the yesteryears in style

[KPR]

In 95% of car pictures above two O's or O in the front is what working in their favour.

[EightSix]

Here is some Indian contribution — although I wouldn’t comment on the ‘got it right’ part.

Mahindra Roxor

Source: https://www.autocarpro.in/news-inter...w-design-56762

Mahindra Thar

Source: Motorbeam

[PetrolheadRup]

Honda E is a good looking car with a minimalist design that is reminiscent of the first-gen Honda Civic.

[railfanwithk750]

The 2020 Defender is surprisingly missing from this list.



So is the SLS AMG!

[SnS_12]

Though not a production car but the Porsche 917 living legend designed by Porsche to celebrate its the 50th anniversary of their 1st victory at LeMans 24h with the legendary 917k number 23 is the one for me

[BackstraightBoy]

If I may take a little latitude with 'retro styled', my favourite of late has been the Ferrari Roma.





With the swooping bonnet, the short rear-overhang, the angled-back grille and most notably, the bulging hip, from the 250 GT SWB, I truly think it's a sublime design that trounces even the original.





I only wish they had chosen a warmer, friendlier and more human treatment for the headlights rather than this cold, almost robotic-looking one, with which I sometimes fail to connect. A more visible and expressive headlight design, in which you could actually see the 'eyeballs' would've gone beautifully with the retro theme, but despite it, the Roma looks utterly drop-dead!

[MotoBlip]

Mazda launched the iconic Miata(also knows as MX-5) in 1989, targeting a very niche segment of topless two-seater affordable cars. Although the car had to drop it's iconic pop-up headlamps owing to stricter pedestrian safety norms, it's still a looker in it's latest iteration. It is also the best-selling two-seater sports car in history.







The Fiat 124 Spider is another such icon. Although based on the Fourth generation MX-5, this looks so much more better than the car it's based on.

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by JTM

The modern MAT Lancia Stratos definitely deserves a spot in this list. Absolutely droolworthy, yet faithful to the original.


Automobili Amos' modern interpretation of the Lancia Delta Integrale, the Lancia Delta Futuristica, is just breathtaking.


The Eagle E Type Low-Drag and Eagle E Type Speedster are achingly beautiful modern cars that transport you to the yesteryears in style

Stratos apart, none of the others are actually retro styled modern cars , that are remanufactured and refitted with modern equipment

[museycal]

The Alpine A110 reincarnate pays nice homage to the original in its form and spirit!



(Image credit to respective owners)

[click]

Looking at most re engineered releases makes me think, they should revert back to the original designs with modern tech and safety features. I know not possible, but one can only dream.

The only few which seems like better designs than original is perhaps Suzuki Jimny, Ford Bronco, Dodge Challenger and Mustang. For the rest, they shouldn't have even tried, especially Beetle and Defender, which in my opinion destroy the magic of the older designs.

[DicKy]

Lots of my favourite dream cars in this list.
Guess says something about my taste.

I feel retro modern cars can be categorised into roughly three :

1. Continuous - The ones that hang onto some design basics, so much that the design becomes a brand in itself. Eg. 911, G-Wagon, Wrangler, Century.

2. Harking back - After a period of time, either due to lack of imagination or to target a specific demographic, the manufacturers go back to one of their older models, preferably iconic, and interpret it for the modern world. Most of the retro styled models come under this category. These are kinda cyclic in nature. The last period was the late 90s to late 2000s, targeting people who grew up idolizing some cars, but could afford such a car only in their middle ages or after retirement. Eg. Beetle, Mustang, Challenger, 500, Mini, Bronco, SL/SLS.

3. Can't really trace back - The ones that are retro styled. Tries to copy some features from older models but don't have direct model lineage or continuation. Sometimes they end up being retro for the sake of being retro. Eg. FJ cruiser, Honda E, Roma and dare I say, the Ford GT.

Guess the next retro age is upon us. Thanks to EVs.
There will always be takers for radical design as well as conforming conventional ones. But retro styled EVs will put most old schoolers at ease, even if the vehicle itself is quite modern.
Including nostu clingers like me.
Nope, not the Tesla. It was the Honda E that warmed me to the idea of an EV future, comforting me, "The future is going to be alright, even if you don't live out your automotive dreams or check the bucketlist"

And here Renault is at it with a new EV concept inspired from the Renault 5.

Originally Posted by PetrolheadRup

Honda E is a good looking car with a minimalist design that is reminiscent of the first-gen Honda Civic.

Retro for those who want that. Cute for those who want that. Modern for those want that.
And the interiors is one of the best mix of retro and modern design features.
Got the retro feel right, even if the dashboard is full of screens including ORVM replacement screens. Unlike the cold minimalism of Tesla's.

Originally Posted by railfanwithk750

The 2020 Defender is surprisingly missing from this list.

Unpopular opinion here, it's just a personal one.
IMHO, this is how not to do a retro take. This looks more like a retro Discovery than a retro Defender.

Edit: Not a biker, but have always liked the UJM motorcycle style. Five years back, other than the RE Bullet, one had to leap straight to the Triumph Bonneville for a retro bike. But now....