In every revolution there are those who long for the preservation of the known or even a return to the past. The transition to electric driving is no different. Maybe retro EVs can be bridged? Some car manufacturers are already heading down that path and of course it never hurts to dream about more old legends in a new guise.
How do you get the more conservative car buyer excited about an electric car? Well, maybe by breathing new life into an old acquaintance. At least that seems to be the belief of, for example, Renault, that both the R4 and R5 return as retro EV. Honda did something similar with the E and then of course there’s Volkswagen with the T1-inspired ID.Buzz. With those cars in mind, the dreaming of the return of more icons from automotive history has begun.
Lancia Delta
Lancia Delta (Illustration: Larson)
The most likely reincarnation of the special trio on this page is that of the Lancia Delta. That is to say: Lancia has already indicated that there will be a new Delta. It should appear on the market around 2026 and will be fully electric. When the Delta returns, our thoughts immediately drift to the model that started it all, in particular the Delta Integrale. The homologation model of the Group B cannon is, according to some, one of the nicest cars the Italians ever produced, a four-wheel-drive bomb on wheels that let you beat almost everyone. Because of its wider body, it was also unmissable as a very special Delta. Lancia would undoubtedly make many people very happy if the new Delta is a solid nod to that beautiful piece of history. The interplay of lines of the primal Delta lends itself perfectly to the retro creation as we present it here. CEO Luca Napolitano recently said: “It will be a real Delta. An exciting car, a manifesto of progress and technology.” Please, Lancia, make it a real retro Delta and not a crossover or SUV that only reminds you of the old one by its name.
Ford Capri
Ford Capri (Illustration: Larson)
In the second ‘power dream’, the Ford Capri plays the leading role. After all, Ford has already shown with the Mustang Mach-E that it does not hesitate to put a legendary name on an EV. It is also in design, just like the regular Mustang, clearly inspired by the primal Mustang. It must be said that Ford undoubtedly upset the real Mustang fans by turning it into an SUV. Some therefore find him unworthy of the Mustang name. Maybe Ford can do things differently with a new Capri. Ford announced a while ago that it is considering bringing more ‘iconic’ old names back to electric cars and so thoughts quickly drift to a rebirth of the Capri as a sleek electric sports coupe. Ideal for those who are charmed by Ford’s heritage, but can’t stomach the Mustang Mach-E. The name Capri has now been re-registered by Ford of Europe, so that gives the citizen courage. Frankly, the current market dictates that the Mustang Mach-E could use a more compact, tall-legged brother, so don’t be surprised if a new electric Capri does become a crossover. But Ford, now look at this illustration, it doesn’t look crazy at all, does it?
Citroen DS
Citroen DS (Illustration: Larson)
Some cars were so unique and innovative that a reincarnation can only end in disappointment. That is a bit of the feeling that dominates when we think of the Citroën DS. Citroën has therefore never dared to breathe new life into the ‘goddess’. Successors CX, XM and C6 continue part of the spirit of the DS, but each in its own way. Perhaps the time is now ripe for a real rebirth, in which the DS can once again become the banner of innovation, just like in 1955: an electric top sedan with the latest innovations in battery technology, autonomous driving and infotainment on board. Mercedes-Benz does that with the EQS, for example, and the ‘Artemis’ has to fulfill that role at Audi. The pioneering design of the DS at the time lends itself perfectly to this. Again, an extremely low Cw value can become one of the hobbyhorses, as is the case with the EQS. With its slippery lines, semi-closed rear wheel arches and sloping, subtle stern, a new DS could be groundbreaking efficiency. If ever there was a time to return the DS name to a truly revolutionary car, it’s now. A clean job for the Citroën loosened DS to do justice to its brand name?
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl