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Ever seen a luxurious automobile that appears like a minivan? Or a tiny coupe that by accident began a design development? Within the early 2000s, European automakers received courageous (and peculiar) in the very best means. They began tossing the rulebook out the window, experimenting with design, engineering, and concepts that felt extra like brainstorms on a pub serviette than boardroom-approved plans. A few of these automobiles appeared odd. Some had been odd. However fairly just a few turned out to be surprisingly sensible below all that quirk.
These weren’t simply gimmicks for the sake of being completely different. They had been daring makes an attempt to do one thing new, to face out in a market stuffed with sameness, and generally, they labored. Actually, a number of of those oddball automobiles turned out to be good. Like, actually good.
Generally, these oddball automobiles paved the way in which for options we now take without any consideration: panoramic roofs, modular seating, and aerodynamic our bodies that began as somebody’s wild concept. So let’s take a better have a look at among the most splendidly bizarre automobiles Europe gave us, and why somewhat strangeness may simply be the key ingredient to greatness.
Our Methodology
To make this listing, a automobile needed to do just a few issues proper — and not less than one factor very bizarre.
First off, it wanted to be constructed by a European producer. That features manufacturers like Ford of Europe, which operates individually from its American counterpart and relies in Germany. Many of those automobiles had been by no means offered exterior Europe, which solely provides to their offbeat appeal.
Second, it needed to break from the norm, whether or not in the way it appeared, the way it was engineered, or the way it match into the model’s typical lineup. These weren’t your typical hatchbacks or sedans. They had been experiments. Outliers. Generally, the form of automobiles that made individuals cease and do a double-take within the showroom.
And at last, it couldn’t simply be bizarre for bizarre’s sake. The automobile needed to convey one thing genuinely good to the desk — whether or not that was intelligent packaging, a enjoyable driving expertise, or an idea that was simply forward of its time. That’s why you gained’t see automobiles just like the Peugeot 1007 on this listing. Positive, it was unconventional, however most reviewers, just like the Auto Specific workforce, didn’t notably benefit from the expertise behind the wheel
This listing is all about these uncommon moments when automakers threw warning to the wind — and ended up touchdown on one thing nice.
Renault Vel Satis
Why make a typical luxurious sedan when you may make one with awkward proportions and a number of further headroom? That appears to have been the reasoning behind the Renault Vel Satis, the de facto alternative for the automaker’s way more regular Safrane that was provided all through the 90s.
The underside half is customary luxurious sedan fare, however the prime half and the greenhouse space are unusually tall, resembling a hatchback or a minivan. This meant extra room inside, however most individuals discovered it somewhat ungainly to take a look at. Regardless of the ungainliness, it was fairly good as a luxurious automobile, because the Auto Specific workforce discovered years in the past, and it was, and nonetheless is, extremely low cost.
Ford B-Max
One of many final hurrahs of an outdated European favourite, the subcompact minivan or mini MPV, the Ford B-Max was really a fairly genius concept. Sadly, it arrived somewhat too late, and it was in contrast to something the minivan world had seen up till that time.
Primarily based on the Fiesta, the B-Max was comparatively small for a minivan, though it featured sliding rear doorways, which had been unusual on this class. Nonetheless, it had ample room on the within and an fascinating, distinctive promoting level (USP), as defined by Bogdan Popa of Autoevolution: no B-pillar. Opening the entrance and rear doorways would give you uninterrupted entry to the inside, however crucially, the structural rigidity and security weren’t compromised.
The Fiesta underpinnings additionally meant a fairly enjoyable expertise behind the wheel, because the High Gear workforce discovered. Whereas this gamble didn’t actually repay financially for Ford, it was nonetheless a really courageous concept, and we commend Ford for it.
Peugeot RCZ
That is one of some idea automobile tales with a cheerful ending. Initially debuting because the Peugeot 308 RCZ idea, there have been no plans to place this very fashionable two-door coupe into manufacturing, as Tim Pollard of Automotive Journal reported. Peugeot then determined to place the idea automobile on the meeting line, badged merely because the RCZ and nearly unchanged from its idea type. The manufacturing mannequin can be revealed two years later in 2009, as reported by Florin Profir and Delia Donea of Autoevolution.
If this sounds acquainted, it’s principally the identical story because the Audi TT, which might find yourself being the RCZ’s chief rival. The RCZ undoubtedly helped Peugeot shake among the dangerous styling rep that it had gotten all through the 2000s, and the driving expertise additionally backed up the nice seems to be. Sadly, this may be the primary and solely time that Peugeot would attempt one thing like this. In a lineup of in any other case mundane household automobiles, the RCZ undoubtedly stood out, however for all the precise causes.
Alfa Romeo 156 Crosswagon
Alfa Romeo has virtually at all times accomplished issues in its personal distinctive means, however within the early 2000s, it determined to focus on a market that appeared to carry a number of promise: the lifted station wagon. Alfa’s entrant into this battle was the 156 Crosswagon.
Primarily based on the common 156 wagon, the Crosswagon added a great suspension carry, chunkier tires, some refined physique cladding, and, in fact, AWD. It one way or the other managed to retain the 156’s attractiveness even after the transition to a sturdy off-road wagon. Whereas this breaks all types of Alfa Romeo traditions, the 156 Crosswagon had the efficiency to again up its gutsiness, as Richard Aucock of Auto Specific reported again within the day; nevertheless, Alfa would in the end by no means try one thing like this once more.
Opel / Vauxhall Meriva
One other one of many final gasps of the compact minivan phase in Europe, the first-generation Opel Meriva was a fairly uninspired and lame affair. Customers on the r/CarTalkUK subreddit actually dislike it and its reliability issues. However issues modified for the second technology. In a bid to supply further versatility and practicality, Opel determined to take a look at the world of luxurious automobiles for inspiration.
The second-generation Meriva has common doorways within the entrance, however the rear doorways are additionally hinged on the rear, in order that they open backwards like on a Rolls-Royce or a Mazda RX-8. As you may count on, this offered simpler entry and extra entry to the cabin, whereas additionally giving it some cool design aptitude. What’s extra, the second-generation Meriva, odd because it was, was really actually good to drive, and an enormous enchancment over the soggy first technology. Jonathan Crouch of RAC praised the steering really feel and the grip.
Renault Avantime
Renault and Matra’s scientists had been so preoccupied with whether or not or not they may, they didn’t cease to assume if they need to. Dr. Ian Malcolm’s well-known quote summarizes the Renault Avantime fairly effectively. No one ever thought to make a minivan with three doorways and a coupe-inspired exterior, so Renault thought to offer it a attempt.
The Avantime (actually “forward of its time”) is unequivocally one of many greatest flops in European automobile historical past. In response to Mike Duff of Pistonheads, the Avantime tanked long-time Renault collaborator Matra inside simply a few years available on the market. Regardless of its non-existent audience, the Avantime nonetheless had a number of good qualities. It was well-equipped, straightforward to drive, provided some fairly good powertrains, and completely assured infinite staring from passersby. The legendary Jason Torchinsky of The Autopian completely beloved it.
Citroen C6
Regardless of a renewed concentrate on small, inexpensive automobiles within the 2000s, Citroen determined to attempt its hand at a luxurious sedan one final time. Taking heavy inspiration from the great DS and the XM, the C6 got here out within the mid-2000s to problem fashions just like the Mercedes S-Class and the BMW 7 Collection.
The form of the rear window, the pointless however distinctive rear quarter home windows, the loopy proportions, and the Hydractive suspension that may make a magic carpet jealous — it was all there. We already advised you what life is like with the final true Citroen, and it’s not precisely clean crusing. This automobile is troublesome to maintain going, however when it really works, it’s completely unbelievable. Tremendous comfy, nice to drive, and fairly quick.
Skoda Roomster
Guess what! We’ve got one other compact minivan on the roster. Skoda wished in on the motion, becoming a member of in proper on the peak of the phase’s reputation within the mid-late 2000s. The Roomster was a fairly standard compact automobile, with one large distinction: it appeared like a large got here down and pulled the roof upwards.
The consequence was a automobile with ridiculous proportions and mismatched aspect home windows. The driving force and passenger home windows type a Lancia Stratos-esque greenhouse, whereas the rear home windows are unusually large. Regardless of its showstopping look, the Roomster was fairly much like the Fabia or another Skoda mannequin, making it fairly good to drive and immensely sensible, because the Auto Specific workforce discovered.
Fiat Multipla
If there was ever a automobile that match this invoice, it’s the Fiat Multipla. Arriving on the very starting of the compact minivan phase, Fiat had the thought to construct a automobile that might carry extra individuals and extra stuff throughout the footprint of an everyday household hatchback.
Whereas this did imply that the Multipla was aesthetically challenged, Fiat made it work. No different automobile of this dimension provided seating for six individuals and a usable cargo space on the similar time. Unimaginable visibility, all of the headroom you might ever need, and it will flip heads… most likely for the mistaken causes. What’s extra, being extra car-like than van-like, the Multipla felt completely high quality to drive, as Adrian Clarke of the Autopian confirmed.
Citroen C4 Cactus
After taking part in it protected for the higher a part of 20 years, Citroen determined to return to its quirky, convention-bending roots because the 2010s rolled round. The primary proof of this transfer got here within the type of the C4 Cactus, a subcompact crossover with one of the crucial uncommon styling particulars the automobile trade had ever seen.
Many of the C4 Cactus’ doorways had been coated in a bumpy textured plastic known as Airbump. In addition to wanting cool and funky, the Airbump additionally had a purposeful ingredient, as defined by James Mills of The Sunday Occasions: the thermoplastic polyurethane building made the Airbumps very absorbent within the occasion of dings and scratches.
We will additionally thank this automobile for being among the many first to market with upside-down headlights, the trendiest of stylish styling particulars at this time. Whereas preliminary reactions to the C4 Cactus had been fairly divided, it turned out to be a superbly good small automobile in observe, as Gavin Braithwaite-Smith of Petrolblog found.
Audi A2
One other wonderful case of an ingenious automobile that was let down by its look. The Audi A2 was launched within the late ’90s as what can solely be described as a know-how showcase wrapped up in a small automobile. Audi thought, “What if we made an impossibly environment friendly subcompact?”
As Mike Duff of Autocar explains, that styling wasn’t there simply to upset individuals. It was all accomplished within the title of aerodynamics. Additional serving to the A2’s pursuit of most gasoline financial system was the aluminum building, which incorporates each the physique and the chassis. This, in fact, made it extremely costly on the time, but it surely all paid off in the long run, because the A2 achieved some fairly ridiculous gasoline financial system numbers.
Enjoyable reality, as Simran Rastogi of Overdrive stories, the mastermind behind the A2’s exterior design, Luc Donckerwolke, additionally did the Lamborghini Murcielago, the Bentley Continental GT, and the Genesis G90.
Skoda Felicia Enjoyable
One other unbelievable and uncommon instance of an idea automobile making manufacturing with primarily no adjustments. The Felicia was the primary Skoda mannequin that was launched after the VW Group took over the Czech automaker. The Felicia Enjoyable was based mostly on the pickup model of the Felicia, but it surely had just a few minor adjustments.
Minor is definitely an understatement right here. In addition to being vibrant orange, together with the wheels, the Enjoyable additionally hid a pair of seats within the mattress. After all, they are often folded away for further room, but when that’s not sufficient, there may be additionally a foldaway midgate. Whereas this can be a bizarre automobile in each means, it’s additionally extremely cool. Plus, Felicia’s revised underpinnings made it a surprisingly good automobile on the transfer, because the Autocar workforce discovered again within the day.
BMW Z3 Coupe (“Clown Shoe”)
If ever a automobile had a nickname that completely matched its vibe, it’s this one. The BMW Z3 Coupe earned the affectionate title “Clown Shoe” because of its unmistakable form: a low-slung sports activities automobile with a capturing brake roof that made it appear like somebody stretched the again half with cartoon logic.
However right here’s the twist: this oddball turned out to be a sensible driver’s automobile. Constructed with BMW’s straight-six engines and a inflexible chassis, the Z3 Coupe had sharp dealing with, wonderful stability, and the form of highway really feel that at this time’s tech-heavy automobiles wrestle to duplicate. For all its visible weirdness, it was constructed for purists.
And whereas it didn’t promote in large numbers, the Z3 Coupe’s cult standing has solely grown over time. It’s a reminder that generally, bizarre is precisely what makes a automobile nice.
Renault Twizy
Now this one? This one’s actually on the market. The Renault Twizy seems to be like one thing a Pixar character would drive, and we imply that as a praise!
Technically a quadricycle in lots of markets, the Twizy is an ultra-compact electrical two-seater that seems like half scooter, half go-kart. It’s slim sufficient to make a Sensible automobile look bloated, with tandem seating and optionally available scissor doorways. Designed primarily for city environments, it’s extra about intelligent commuting than long-haul consolation, although the experience is surprisingly peppy and undeniably enjoyable.
The Twizy isn’t for everybody. However in case you’re measuring a automobile’s greatness by how many individuals cease and stare, it simply may prime the listing.
Saab 9-5 Aero Wagon
Saab at all times danced to the beat of its personal turbocharged drum, and the 9-5 Aero Wagon was one among its remaining, superb prospers.
The styling was in all places: jet-inspired design cues, a wraparound dashboard, and proportions that leaned extra spaceship than station wagon. It was odd, sure — but it surely was additionally daring, and unmistakably Saab. Beneath the drama was a genuinely good automobile: turbocharged efficiency, a great deal of cargo area, and a freeway experience that felt steady and planted.
Earlier than the model’s unlucky finish, Saab left us with this gem. One final reminder that being completely different can nonetheless imply being actually, actually good.
Bizarre Doesn’t Essentially Imply Dangerous
Some individuals is likely to be fast to label issues as dangerous just because they’re bizarre or don’t precisely comply with standard guidelines or developments. The identical applies to automobiles: in the event that they’re uncommon or bizarre, they may not be nearly as good.
These misfit automobiles might have puzzled showroom guests, however they weren’t flukes — they had been flashes of brilliance. Proof that generally, unusual concepts are those that transfer the entire trade ahead.
