The rise of electric vehicles has brought an exciting trend with it: the revival of classic car designs for the modern era. This retro aesthetic has had a strong impact for legacy carmakers who are tapping into their rich histories to create modern reboots, remixes, and rebirths of beloved older models.
Regardless of how you feel about EVs, these fantastic retro-inspired revivals are an absolute joy to see on the road. Here's a look at five of our favourites, plus a couple of bonuses for good measure.
1. Volkswagen ID. Buzz
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is a retro rebirth of the original Volkswagen Kombi, or Transporter Type 2. Built on the same platform as the other VW ID. cars, it's essentially a car-based van available in various seating arrangements, as well as a cargo van.
While it's a flawed vehicle - being a bit too big and far too expensive - it is exceptionally good to drive, and is comfortable, quick, and handles well thanks to its car-based underpinnings. More than that, it’s just a fun car that makes people happy; it attracts attention and brings smiles to faces wherever it goes.
2. Mini Cooper E
The current electric Mini hatch is more of a remix than a full reboot. While the 3-door electric hatch looks the same as its internal combustion engine (ICE) counterpart, it's a totally different car underneath, built on a new, dedicated EV platform in China (the ICE version is built in the UK).
The electric Mini perfectly captures the brand's obsession with "go-kart handling" - it's super responsive and fast enough to be exciting without being overwhelming. It also has a rather firm "go-kart" ride in JCW form too... While its design has evolved under BMW's ownership, it still retains that retro charm. You can see the lineage from the original Mini, and the modern interpretation just works.
3. Fiat 500e
The modern reinterpretation Fiat 500 has always been a fun, albeit deeply flawed car, and the electric version follows suit, though it's less unpleasantly flawed. The Fiat 500e is a great, fun, small, and agile little EV that’s a hoot to throw around, making it a perfect city car.
The Abarth version is perhaps the most flawed, as it isn't exceptionally fast and features a bizarre fake engine noise that you can't turn off while moving. This sound doesn't mimic gear shifts or fade at speed, meaning it just shouts at you on the motorway. Despite these quirks, the 500e is a superbly fun little car that looks fantastic, especially the Abarth models in their wild, lurid colours. Plus, they're relatively affordable and just make you smile.
4. Hyundai Ioniq 5/N Vision 74
It's easy to think that the Hyundai Ioniq 5's angular lines mark it out a truly modern, but it is genuinely a modern day revival of the original Hyundai Pony from 1975. In fact, the more you look at an Ioniq 5, the more Pony you see: the roofline and rear hatch angle are an almost identical shape, while the Ioniq's double-barrel square headlights are a direct homage to the original's 'round lights in a square frame' look.
The N Vision 74 (that is due to go into limited production this year) on the other hand, is a direct descendant of the original Pony Coupe Concept designed by Italdesign's Giorgetto Giugiaro. And before you accuse the Vision 74 of copping some pretty blatant DeLorean design cues, you need to remember that the Pony Concept was also the inspiration for that car too.
5. Renault 4 E-Tech/5 E-Tech/Twingo E-Tech
The brilliant revivals of the original Renault 4, Renault 5 and Twingo are fantastic-looking vehicles with a subtle retro hint that isn't over the top - the styling has subtle nods to the originals, without going fully retro and remaining distinctly modern looking.
Unfortunately, though, they aren't sold here. The Renaults share a platform with other small EVs from the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance like the Alpine A290 and Nissan Micra EV, but overseas reports suggest that Renault has focused on making them incredibly fun to drive, much like the Mini. We can only hope to see them one day...
Bonus: Ford Mustang Mach-E
To stir the pot a little, let's add the Ford Mustang Mach-E. This vehicle is more of a remix, taking classic Mustang design cues and its fun, aggressive, rear-drive attitude and packing them into an electric SUV. The GT version is mental, with colossal power and torque, making it brutally fast. It can light up all four wheels or perform a massive rear-drive power drift through a corner - it's just stupidly fun.
Of course, purists hate it because it's two things traditional Mustang owners often dislike: an EV and an SUV. The look can be a bit odd and is heavily colour-dependent, but it grows on you. And once you've driven it, you can't help but like it.
Bonus: Ora Ballet Cat
And now for one we would truly love to see here: GWM's shameless but utterly fantastic rip off of the original Volkswagen Beetle, the Ora Ballet Cat. It's unclear how they did it, but GWM genuinely managed to obtain EU exterior design patents, despite the fact that wonderfully retro EV looks almost exactly like an original VW Beetle. The main differences are the arc-shaped headlights (instead of being fully round like the Punk Cat Concept) and the fact that it’s a four-door. Yes, really.
While its driving characteristics are unknown, if it’s like other GWM EVs, it's probably pretty good. It's unlikely we'll see it outside of China though, as they would almost certainly face legal challenges.