Some cars are loved from the moment they arrive, while others need a decade or two for the rest of us to catch up. These seven divided opinions (to put it lightly), struggled to find buyers or simply appeared too early, but time has been remarkably kind to all of them.
Audi A2 – 1999-2005
Audi A2
The A2’s unusual proportions and premium price made it an easy target when new, but its aluminium construction and obsession with efficiency now seem remarkably forward-thinking. Audi has even revived the name for a new electric model, whose aerodynamic shape clearly echoes the cult original.
BMW 5 Series E60 – 2003-2010
BMW 5 Series E60
The E60 replaced the conservative E39 with one of the boldest designs BMW had ever put into production, and the reaction was predictably mixed. More than 20 years later, its sharp lines and modest kidney grilles look refreshingly restrained alongside many modern BMWs.
Porsche 911 996 – 1997-2005
Porsche 911 (996)
Purists weren’t impressed when the 996 introduced water cooling and swapped the 911’s traditional round headlights for its infamous ‘fried-egg’ design. Time has softened the shock, though, and its compact proportions and relatively uncluttered styling now have a charm of their own.
Citroen C6 – 2005-2012
Citroen C6
The C6 was far too unconventional to trouble the usual German executive saloons, but that’s precisely why it looks so special today. Its sweeping roofline, concave rear window and unapologetically French cabin remain unlike almost anything else on the road.
Renault Avantime – 2001-2003
Renault Avantime
A luxurious two-door MPV sounded like the answer to a question nobody asked, and the Avantime disappeared after only a couple of years. Today, its huge doors, pillarless windows and concept-car appearance make it one of the most fascinating modern classics.
Honda CR-Z – 2010-2016
Honda CR-Z
The CR-Z disappointed anyone expecting a modern successor to the lightweight CRX, particularly because its performance was fairly modest. But looking beyond that, you’ll find a distinctive little coupe with a six-speed manual gearbox and a hybrid powertrain that seems even more unusual today.
Volkswagen Phaeton – 2002-2016
Volkswagen Phaeton
Convincing luxury-car buyers to spend serious money on a Volkswagen was always going to be difficult, regardless of how good the car underneath was. However, its discreet styling and extraordinary attention to detail have aged brilliantly – leaving the Phaeton as one of the most intriguing luxury bargains of its era.
Read the full article here
