Car brands often do the trick where after a long time an old model name is removed from the mothballs. Time for a small selection from the collection of cars for which manufacturers dove into the history books for a “new” name.
Mitsubishi Space Star
Mitsubishi introduced the Space Star in 1998, especially for the European market, in addition to the Carisma. The station wagon-like MPV lives up to its name, because there is no lack of space. Until 2005, the Space Star, built in the Dutch Born, will be in showrooms. However, after an eight-year absence, Mitsubishi is breathing new life into the Space Star in 2013. It is striking that it is now a much smaller hatchback. Originally the car would be called Mirage, but that ran into problems with name rights. That is why we chose the name that made its appearance 15 years earlier. Meanwhile, the Space Star has already been facelifted twice and the new version has just arrived at the dealers.
Alfa Romeo Giulia
When the curtain fell for the Alfa Romeo 159 in 2011, we had to wait for its successor. Four years later, the Giulia makes its world debut: Alfa’s counterpart for the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. However, 2015 is not the first year that an Alfa Romeo Giulia makes its appearance, because Alfa Romeo has been using the name since 1962. In June of that year we meet the sporty sedan designed by Orazio Satta Puliga. Until 1978, Alfa Romeo produced the Giulia in dozens of versions, including the TI Super, Spider and Sprint GT.
BMW 8 series
The first 8 Series has been on BMW’s sales lists for ten years. However, the majestic luxury coupé never manages to record the intended sales figures that they hope for in Munich. A global recession, the Gulf War and fluctuating fuel prices do little good for the BMW with a (at the time) basic price of € 95,566. The curtain falls for the 8-series in May 1999, until BMWM presents the second generation after twenty years of absence in mid-2018. We now know the new 8-series as Coupé, convertible and four-door Gran Coupé. Fat M versions have also been reviewed in the meantime.
Ford Puma
Hardly anyone can have missed it: the Ford Puma has recently returned. However, that is in a completely different way than you are used to. Almost two decades after the launch of the original Puma, drawn by Ian Callum, Ford presents a completely new Puma as a compact crossover. Although they are two completely different cars, they share one important feature: they both use a Fiesta platform. The compact sports coupe of yesteryear is on the same floor as the fourth Fiesta, the new Puma shares its technical basis with the current Fiesta. Between 1998 and 2002, about 1,600 Dutch people bought a primal Puma.
Fiat Tipo
As a successor to the Fiat Ritmo, Fiat presents the first Tipo in 1988. The hatchback with a spacious interior is then available as a three and five-door. Due to the large choice of models and versions, the Tipo has a wide copper group until 1995. However, it then takes twenty years before Fiat returns to work with the model name Tipo. The name is dusted and the Italians present a compact mid-size car such as five-door hatchback, sedan and station wagon. However, we have already said goodbye to the sedan in our country due to disappointing sales figures. The Tipo built in Turkey, incidentally, manages to attract few interested people to the Dutch dealers. Fiat has indicated that it wants to continue with the Tipo, but that there is a good chance that this will be a crossover.
Mini Clubman
In 1969 the British Mini introduces the Clubman. This is then parked next to the hugely popular small car, but remarkably enough it gets its own nose. This is not only much more rectangular, but also 11 centimeters longer. Designer Roy Haynes is responsible for these sensational lines. Although the Clubman had to replace existing sporty and luxury versions, the great success was a bit lacking. In 1980, Mini puts a streak through the Clubman. Twenty-seven years later, however, the name is dusted and the Clubman returns. The longer body gets remarkable doors, both on the side and the back. In 2015, the new and thus current generation will show up.
Suzuki Ignis
It is a world of difference when you see the first and third Ignis side by side. Suzuki introduced the Ignis in 2001 as a real no-nonsense car. Available with three and five doors with a fairly low-key design. The five-door Ignis is replaced in 2003 by a slightly grittier one, the three-door retains the same body. After both variants disappear from the showrooms in 2006, it remains silent in Ignis until 2016. However, the silence is then abruptly broken by a trendy and quirky new generation. With all arrows pointed at the Fiat 500, the third Ignis is by far the most talked-about in short history. The SUV has meanwhile been slightly facelifted. The Suzuki Baleno has also been in showrooms since 2016 after years of absence, but has since disappeared.
Alpine A110
France has a very rich car history. The Alpine A110 can call itself one of the real classics. Born in 1962 as a successor to the A108 with a big Renault injection in the ass. The Alpine is best known for participating in several races, including the Monte Carlo Rally. The car eventually falls entirely into Renault’s hands and disappears from the scene in 1977. At the beginning of 2017, Renault has some spectacular news: Alpine is back! As a standalone brand, but within the Renault group, the A110 returns to the road as the first born. An unbelievably tasty coupe is the result.
Honda HR-V
We have to do without Honda HR-V in the price lists for eight years, after Honda pulled the plug from the first generation in 2006. The first HR-V was introduced in 1999. The compact SUV drives around as a three- and five-door and is especially recognizable by the flat design and the gigantic third brake light that was incorporated in the rear spoiler. In 2015, Honda re-introduced the name HR-V to a new compact SUV that shares its base with the Jazz. That model has since been facelifted.
DS
This will be the most special story from the top ten. We all know the iconic first DS. In twenty years, Citroen produced about 1.3 million units. After 1975 it remains silent around the DS, until 2010. Citroën then launches the DS3. The sporty compact model is quickly joined by the Citroën DS4 and DS5. Citroën’s premium branch has now grown into a stand-alone brand. Under the DS heading now models like the DS 3 and 7 Crossback are driving around. The DS 9 will soon join this company.
