There is an old Jamaican saying, "old time sumting come back again", and this is oh so true in the automotive world. The automakers and designers are going back to their roots or going retro with their designs. They are also revamping the old models that have been out of production for some years now. VW has brought back the Scirocco, which was made from 1974 to 1992 and sold 291,000 units.

Ford has now joined them, being motivated maybe by the recent launch of the new version of the VW Scirocco, Ford, the American manufacturer is planning to develop a new concept which will be used to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the well-known Ford Capri Mk1 launched in 1969. The concept will reveal a new vision of the old Capri, equipped this time with the latest technology available.

retro designs

Is it that they have run out of ideas and don't know what to come up with? Or, is it that they are trying to reach out to that special buyer who knew of these models from the past? Even on the aspect of design, with some models they have gone back to the squared up boxy design (the Toyota Probox is a classic example).

In 1997, the Ford F150 was totally redesigned for that model year, and it was a total different truck from what it looked like from the previous model. And as they say in local parlance, 'it sell off', and the latest version has now gone back to the boxy design. It's like a seesaw battle with trying to come up with the right formula. There isn't a steady progression with the design.

Maybe it's the demand of the motoring public having so many specials that the automakers and designers having now come under pressure to suit the needs. All automakers are now turning out good cars and everybody now has to be working overtime just to have the edge over each other.

The rumour mills have been spinning everywhere, that even Toyota has been talking about bringing back the Celica and the Supra and the need for a small rear-wheel driver coupe like the one they made in '86, and we all know the capabilities of that little pocket rocket.

city hopper

The Mini has been doing well and the also the VW Beetle, and that made its return more than 10 years ago. The Toyota FJ Land Cruiser has also returned and BMW has the old Isetta legend from the '50s. This car was driven by the character Steve Urkel from the sitcom Family Matters.

The little city hopper is not expected to adopt the unusual front end access door from the original Isetta, but an electric engine will get power from a lithium-ion battery which is expected to provide sufficient power, assuming development of the technology progresses at a presumed rate. The decision was influenced by new CAFE emission standards which take effect in 2012.