Volkswagen Beetle

Volkswagen's Beetle wasn't the first car in the world to look backwards for design inspiration, but its phenomenal sales has seen others follow VW's retro route. Like the MINI and 500, the Beetle debuted as a concept at a motor show, the reaction it received from the public cementing VW's decision to put it into production. It shares much of its underpinnings with the venerable VW Golf, which means no rear-mounted air-cooled engines here. Instead, there's everything from modern turbodiesels to multi-cylinder units with performance unlike any original Beetle before it.

The beautifully simple design is carried though to the interior, though you pay for those curvy lines with poor rear seat and boot space compared to the car it's based on. Who cares though? There's a flower vase on the dashboard, a light and airy glasshouse and modern mechanicals that mean unlike the original it should get you there in speed and comfort. We just wish VW would revive the microbus now as well.

Tuesday January 22