Cheap 80s hatchback dubbed ‘worst car in history' is making a dramatic return after four decades
When it was first introduced back in the 1980s, the vehicle could be bought for a great bargain price of just £3,000.
2
It was known for its low quality construction, safety concerns and reliability issues, making it the cheapest car between 1981 and 1991.
The car was known as the Zastava Yugo, a Yugoslavian branded car designed as a simple box shape by ItalDesign.
With Britain in the depths of recession around the time of its introduction, the car undercut rivals like Austin Metro and Ford Fiesta.
However, this affordability still did not enable the Yugo to become a successful or popular car for the long run.
Around 794,428 Yugos in total were produced, but only a fraction of these were sold in Britain.
And by 2018, just 19 remained on the road, according to official registrations data.
Author, Jason Vuic, subsequently entitled his book "The Yugo: The Rise and Fall of the Worst Car in History".
Return of the vehicle comes as part of a project by Serbian university professor, Dr Alekasandar Bjelić, who hopes to bring the car back to the market for 2027.
Dr Alekasandar Bjelić is linked to the automotive industry in Germany, and unveiled his 1:5-scale vision for what the Yugo could look like soon.
This new design for the Yugo was debuted at the Car Design Event 2025 in Munich that took place earlier in the month.
Fully restored first edition of iconic Ford motor to be auctioned for huge price after £130k spent on its renovation
It included stylish compact car features such as slim LED lights on the front and rear, along with large alloy wheels.
A fully working prototype of the new Yugo is expected to be shown at the Belgrade Expo in 2027.
On top of that, Bjelić said it would be initially sold as an "affordable" two-door model, adding that there is potential for "different body versions" to follow.
Affordability of the new Yugo is hoped to be facilitated by introducing the vehicle a petrol engine, and choice of manual or automatic gearboxes.
Yugo Automobile did add: "electrified versions are possible."
With this project, Yugo are teasing a "fun-to-drive car" that "meets all relevant safety standards," hinting it will use a shared platform borrowed from a "cooperation partner".
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Former F1 star sensationally claims 90 per cent of Ferrari staff ‘didn't want Lewis Hamilton to join them'
FORMER Formula One star Arturio Merzario claims 90 per cent of Ferrari staff did not want Lewis Hamilton to join. Merzario is famous as one of the drivers who pulled Niki Lauda from his burning car at the Nurburgring in 1976. The Italian, 82, made his F1 debut for Ferrari and still has connections with the Maranello team. And he believes signing the struggling seven-time world champ Hamilton was simply a 'commercial operation' for Ferrari. He said: 'In my opinion, Hamilton's arrival at Maranello was a commercial operation. 'From what I know, 90 per cent of the employees didn't approve of this decision, and then, when the driver doesn't feel valued or an integral part of the group, he loses motivation. 'Why go crazy trying to gain three-tenths of a second when you're not going to get off the third row?' Hamilton trails team-mate Charles Leclerc by 42 points in the driver's standings and has still not stood on the podium in 14 races with Ferrari since his move. Before the summer break, he tore himself apart after qualifying in 12th and finishing 12th at the Hungarian Grand Prix last time out. He called himself 'useless' and told Ferrari to 'change driver' - but Merzario believes there is more to come from the British 40-year-old. He added: "This isn't over. He's waiting for the right opportunity. "He's only going to take risks when necessary, not for eighth place. 'I'm absolutely useless' - Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari 'need to change driver' after Hungarian GP qualifying nightmare 'Also because if he wanted to leave, he'd find another team. "Hamilton has already proven his worth, he's not in Charles's position, he has to prove he's a champion.' 2
Auto Blog
3 hours ago
- Auto Blog
This 800-HP Hatchback Hits 62 MPH in 2 Seconds — But You Can Only Drive It in Gran Turismo
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. When you think 'Vauxhall Corsa,' you don't picture 800 horsepower, a 199-mph top speed, or the ability to hit 62 mph in just two seconds. But the Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo concept rips up that image completely. Born for Gran Turismo 7, this digital rocketship is Vauxhall's latest stab at relevance in a world where hot hatches are being swallowed up by SUVs. 1 / 3 Zoom In Launch Gallery 0:07 / 0:09 2024 Land Rover Defender V8 review: Still wild at heart Watch More Small Car, Big Numbers This isn't marketing talk — the numbers are absurd. The dual-motor EV setup produces 476 hp per axle (952 hp total), with short bursts to 800 hp, thanks to clever battery management. It rides on a lightweight body using flax-based composites to keep weight down to just 1,170 kg, which explains why it can out-accelerate most supercars. The top speed is 199mph, shame they couldn't hit the magical 200. And unlike some Gran Turismo creations, this one looks believable — a Corsa turned extreme rather than a spaceship. It's the kind of mad experiment that puts Vauxhall in the same conversation as Chevrolet, which only last week revealed its pair of Corvette CX and CX.R Vision Gran Turismo concepts as a way of previewing the brand's future performance language.. The Corsa may not have the pedigree of a Corvette, but in the Gran Turismo universe, fantasy levels the playing field. By providing your email address, you agree that it may be used pursuant to Arena Group's Privacy Policy. We may receive compensation. 1 / 3 Zoom In Launch Gallery Why Vauxhall Chose This Route Vision Gran Turismo projects are about cultural flex as much as engineering. For Vauxhall, a brand that's often mocked for cars like the Tigra TwinTop now rotting in scrapyards, the Corsa GSE VGT is a shot at rewriting the narrative. It shows that Stellantis isn't just letting Vauxhall fade into obscurity; it wants to give it a performance edge that can sit alongside the Peugeot and Opel equivalents. It's also part of a larger wave. Brands from Genesis to Jaguar have used the Gran Turismo platform to flex muscles they don't often show in showrooms. The unveiled Genesis X Gran Racer VGT carried over that luxury brand's 'athletic elegance' language into a gaming fantasy. The Corsa GSE does the same for Britain's budget hatchback — proof that gaming is now as important to brand image as Le Mans or the Nürburgring. From Screen To Stage The concept isn't staying locked behind a console. Vauxhall will display a full-scale model at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich, alongside its digital premiere in GT7 and the Gran Turismo World Series in Berlin. That dual 'phygital' approach — code meets carbon fibre — is becoming the norm, as carmakers blur the line between playable fantasy and actual product development. For Stellantis, it's also a handy way of road-testing ideas that could influence future Corsa EVs. Lightweight construction, aggressive aerodynamics, and the revived GSE (Grand Sport Electric) sub-brand are all threads we might see pulled into production. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Why It Actually Matters The Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo isn't going to roll into showrooms, but it matters because it gives Vauxhall something it hasn't had in years: aspiration. When the company's recent headlines have revolved around sensible EVs and dwindling sales, dropping an 800-hp hyper hatch into one of the world's biggest racing games feels like a cultural rebrand. Vauxhall is saying, 'Yes, we remember how to have fun.' And in a market where the very idea of small cars is under threat, that reminder might be more important than the concept itself. About the Author Max Taylor View Profile
Auto Blog
3 hours ago
- Auto Blog
2022 Aston Martin DB11 Hits the Market With Just 2,771 Miles
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. A rare mix of grand touring comfort and real performance Aston Martin's DB11 was always quietly doing its own thing. It wasn't trying to be the flashiest coupe in its class, or the fastest, or the most tech-heavy. It just looked good, drove well, and handled long stretches of road with the kind of ease that makes you want to keep going. Source: 2022 Aston Martin DB11 Source: Exotic Car Trader This 2022 example is a low-mileage coupe finished in an eye-catching Emerald paint with just enough spec details to keep things interesting without pushing too hard. If you've had your eye on the DB11, this one's a solid example of why they've aged well, even with the DB12 now on the scene. This particular Aston Martin DB11 with low miles is for sale on Exotic Car Trader, and you can check out the listing by clicking here. Thinking about selling your car? Get a value estimate and list it online with Exotic Car Trader. Click here to learn more. Style that doesn't try too hard The first thing you'll notice is the DB11's shape—sleek, low, and unmistakably Aston. The Emerald paint gives it a deep green shimmer that shifts slightly depending on the light, and the black roof adds contrast without being loud. The Shadow Chrome wheels have a subtle satin bronze finish that doesn't demand attention, but holds it when you look closely. Carbon fiber mirror caps and a set of black brake calipers round out the exterior tweaks. Nothing feels added for the sake of it. Source: 2022 Aston Martin DB11 Source: Exotic Car Trader Inside, the DB11 sticks with Aston's classic layout: straightforward, driver-focused, and intentionally minimal in a world of oversized screens and touch-sensitive everything. The Oxford Tan leather seats are supportive without being overly stiff, and the Sport Plus perforation gives the cabin a bit of texture. There's a standard 8-inch screen for infotainment, but the real highlight is the layout, especially the push-button gear selector spread across the dash. You get the usual convenience features like dual-zone climate control, a decent stereo, and enough trunk space for a weekend trip. It's a coupe that happens to be usable. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. V8 personality with GT comfort The DB11 comes with the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 sourced from Mercedes-AMG, a setup that saved around 250 pounds over the V12 and gave the car a more balanced feel overall. The engine's factory-rated at 528 horsepower, but the real win is how it delivers: smooth when you want it, aggressive when you need it. It's paired with an 8-speed ZF automatic that's mounted at the rear for near 50/50 weight distribution, and the whole thing feels like it was built for long sweeping curves more than track days. The suspension setup is double wishbone up front with coil springs and anti-roll bars, plus Aston's adaptive dampers that adjust depending on which drive mode you're in. GT, Sport, and Sport+ all offer distinct personalities, though even in its sharpest setting, the DB11 still feels composed rather than punishing. It's a car that leans into the 'grand' part of grand touring. Source: 2022 Aston Martin DB11 Source: Exotic Car Trader Final thoughts This 2022 DB11 isn't trying to be a museum piece or a track-day toy—it's just a really good GT car, and it doesn't overcomplicate the formula. The styling holds up, the V8 keeps things interesting, and the comfort is very much still there. With low miles and a spec that feels timeless rather than trendy, this is a car that's just as enjoyable to look at as it is to drive. About the Author Michelle Nati View Profile
