The 1980s is sometimes remembered as a bit of a black hole in automotive history. There were a great many new ideas surrounding design but regulation hampered serious horsepower in a large way. Now that eco-friendly no longer has to mean slow, what great 1980s car deserves a big comeback party for 2023?
Some of the best models of the 1980s still exist in a modern form. Think of cars like the BMW M3, the Acura Integra, and the Ford Mustang. Other classic 80s cars like the Ferrari F40, the Lamborghini Countach, and the Porsche 959 have modern-day evolutions with all-new names. Still, that leaves us with a large menu of excellent cars to resurrect.
There are a lot of rumors swirling around the idea of a new Toyota MR2. That could make a big splash in a segment of affordable mid-engine sports cars that hasn’t been largely profitable over the years. It seems unlikely to us though considering that Toyota already sells three different performance-focused models.
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What if Volvo returned a modernized version of the 740 Turbo Wagon to the market? It sounds like BMW is considering an M5 Touring for the U.S. market in the near future. Audi and Mercedes already sell high-powered estate cars in the States. A hot Volvo or Polestar wagon would be a lovely addition to the competition.
One wicked entry that might actually get a real revival is the Renault 5 Turbo. We’ve seen what an electrified version looks like and CEO Luca de Meo says it could actually come to production if they can just find the cash. He said of the wild 5 Turbo 3E, “I am serious, we have found a technical way of doing something pretty close to the concept. You don’t have a roll bar etc, but we have the base to do it. The question is do we have the money to do it?”
In a recent question of the day, we pitched the idea of an all-new Buick GNX. Not only would it likely have the brand power to make an impact but it could serve to seriously bolster Buick as a whole. If any brand needs a big boost from its heyday, Buick might be the one that needs it most. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!
