Latest news with #hatchback
Motor 1
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
The New Yugo: Everything We Know
If you're unfamiliar with the name "Yugo," crack open any automotive history book and the brand likely has an entire chapter dedicated to its demise. The tiny Yugoslavian automaker grew in popularity throughout the 1980s and 1990s, arriving in the US in 1985 courtesy of one Malcom Bricklin, the same man who would go on to make Subaru a household name. Unfortunately for Yugo, American buyers weren't as fond of Eastern European hatchbacks as they were of Japanese sedans. Shoddy build quality, unreliability, and terrible safety measures left many consumers writing off the brand for good. In 1992, Yugo would disappear from the US entirely and go down in history as one of the worst car brands of all time. There's even an iconic Simpsons episode partly inspired by Yugo's failures. Despite those faults, though, Yugo somehow survived in Europe for nearly 30 years before ultimately closing up shop in 2008. Even up into the late 2000s, the company was still trotting out the same no-nonsense, cheap hatchback that had been on the market for two decades prior—albeit with minor updates to keep things fresh. Now, more than 17 years later, the Yugo brand is back—and its new owners have big plans for the small hatchback. Here's what we know so far. So, Yugo Is Back? Yugo 45 Photo by: Yugo That's right, the auto brand that was the butt of so many jokes is back from the dead . In 2025, university professor Dr. Aleksandar Bjelić purchased the rights to Yugo with plans to bring a new hatchback to market. Bjelić is an engineer and economist who claims to have decades of experience in the auto industry. Bjelić filed trademarks to use the Yugo name worldwide, and hired a Serbian designer to come up with the new vehicle's look, which the company showed in sketches earlier this year before releasing a scale model. What Will It Look Like? New Yugo Rendering By Motor1 Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1 The new Yugo will retain some retro charm, but the design will mostly fall in line with the many other three- and five-door hatchbacks on the market today (specifically in Europe). The design was penned by Darko Marčeta and unveiled as a scale model at this year's Car Design Event in Munich. The first concept (used as the basis of our rendering, pictured here) has a three-door layout with a sleek roofline and a tapered profile. It almost resembles the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or upcoming Rivian R3 . The new concept does have some shades of the original Yugo, particularly its boxy proportions, but the design is otherwise clean and straightforward. Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1 Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1 LED headlights with a lightbar adorn the front end, uniquely styled LED taillights with an illuminated "YUGO" logo litter the tailgate, and the five-spoke wheels make it all look a bit sportier. There's even a unique brake light detail above the rear glass in the shape of a "Y." We don't know what the interior will look like, and we probably won't know until the first fully functional prototype debuts. What's Under The Hood? Yugo Sana Photo by: Yugo Yugo promises to offer a wide variety of powertrains, ranging from pure gas to hybrid and electric. The entry-level Yugo trims will likely get turbocharged gas engines, with options for hybrid and plug-in hybrids, and potentially an EV down the line. The company says it even wants a performance variant, as well as automatic and manual transmission options. CEO Dr. Aleksandar Bjelić reportedly hinted at the company using an already established platform —in theory, something like Volkswagen's versatile MQB architecture. But, Yugo has yet to disclose which companies they are currently in talks with, if any. Due to Europe's stringent emissions regulations, Yugo would have to partner with an established automaker for a current platform or develop an entirely new one from scratch. How Much Will The New Yugo Cost? Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1 The original Yugos were known for their affordability. At one point, Yugo had the cheapest new car in the US, with an asking price of $3,990. Don't expect this new one to be that cheap, though. Yugo's new hatchback will compete with other subcompacts throughout Europe like the Citroen C3, Dacia Sandero, Renault Clio, and Volkswagen Polo . That should give it a starting price of anywhere from £20,000 to £25,000. Will The New Yugo Come To The US? Our best guess? Probably not. Even though Yugo's new CEO has trademarked the name worldwide, we don't expect to see the small hatchback in the US. Given its size and market positioning, Yugo is primed to compete specifically throughout the European Union. When Will We See It? It's hard to imagine that the new Yugo will be on the market anytime soon. Beyond sketches and a scale model, the brand currently has no dedicated facilities for designing or manufacturing its hatchback. The company did say that a fully functional prototype would debut at the Belgrade Expo in 2027, with production slated to kick off that same year. But, we're highly skeptical. More Of What We Know 2026 Kia Telluride: Everything We Know 2027 Nissan Maxima: Everything We Know Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Car and Driver
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
Nissan Micra Is a Cute EV That Aims to Revitalize the Brand in Europe
Nissan is bringing back the Micra name in Europe with a new electric hatchback that's based on the Renault 5 E-Tech. The Micra's overall shape matches the Renault, but it gets circular headlights and taillights and unique bumper treatments. Two powertrains are available, with a smaller battery and 121-hp motor providing 191 miles of range; a bigger battery and 148-hp motor bring 253 miles of range. Nissan is shifting away from cars to a more SUV-heavy lineup in the United States. The Versa and Altima sedans are bound for retirement after 2025, while the Leaf hatchback will morph into a crossover for 2026, and plans for an electric Maxima successor have been shelved. That leaves just the Sentra—set to grow for its next generation—and the sporty Z coupe as the only cars left. But over in Europe, there's still demand for small cars, and Nissan has unveiled the new sixth-generation Micra hatchback, which now comes exclusively as an EV. Nissan The Micra hatchback has never been sold in the United States, although if you live in a state along the northern border, you may have spotted fourth-generation Micras driving around on Canadian plates. If you've recently vacationed in Europe, this latest Micra might also look familiar, as it is closely related to the stylish Renault 5 E-Tech. The Micra doesn't have the same slick retro look as the Renault, but it's cute and has its own referential design elements. While the roofline, C-pillar, and overall stance are clear giveaways of its Renault bones, the front fascia is unique. The Micra wears interesting headlights with a main rectangular element flanked by rounded LEDs above and below, emulating the circular lights of past Micras. All Micra EVs ride on 18-inch wheels, and the lower portion of the bodywork is dominated by gloss-black trim. The taillights are also circular, with a small piece poking outwards that makes the taillights look like an upside "Q." The two-tone look seen here will be optional, and buyers can also pair the body color with a gray roof. Nissan The cabin bears a strong resemblance to the Renault, with a 10.1-inch center touchscreen that's angled towards the driver and attached to a 10.1-inch digital gauge cluster. The central HVAC vents and climate controls are also canted to the left, while the dashboard in front of the passenger features stitched indentations that create an eye-catching shape in the ambient lighting. Another fun detail is a molded outline of Mount Fuji in the storage compartment between the front seats. There's a choice of two batteries, either a 40-kWh unit or a 52-kWh pack. All Micras feature a single electric motor on the front axle, and the smaller battery brings 121 horsepower and a claimed 191 miles of range. The bigger battery bumps output up to 148 hp, along with 253 miles of estimated range. It also allows for charging at 100 kW on a DC fast-charger. The Micra supports vehicle-to-load capability too, allowing the car to power other electronic devices. The Micra is likely too small to make it in the United States, as it measures less than 157 inches long. That means it's at least 20 inches shorter from nose to tail than a subcompact Versa sedan. Hatchbacks also haven't proven popular on our shores, inspiring Nissan's decision to grow the next-generation Leaf into a small SUV. But the new Micra proves that even as SUVs continue to increase their market share worldwide, small cars still have a place on the tight streets of Europe. Caleb Miller Associate News Editor Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Chinese hatchback that's a carbon copy of UK's Mini is on sale for 10 TIMES less – & it's perfect for first time drivers
A CHINESE hatchback that's a carbon copy of the UK's Mini Cooper is up for sale for 10 times less. The Mini Cooper is a British classic, but a Chinese electric car firm is offering the next best thing. 3 3 Shandong Keyu has built an electric five-door hatchback which is on sale for just £2,530 ($3,200) in Asia. Turning back the clock, the model's TC-T design hit the road in 2023. The model is over £20,000 cheaper than the classic 1960s Mini Coopers which are usually up for grabs on second-hand car sites for around £25,000. One of the most recognisable British vehicles ever made, the classic is now a collector's item for petrolheads. Nearly identical, it's almost impossible to tell the difference between the original Mini and the new EV. The circular headlights, chrome-effect buffers and front grille feature on both models. Lauded for its energy efficiency, the EV model can reach a range of 100km on a single charge. The new model could be ideal for older drivers, according to experts, as it provides a "controlled" driving experience. Chinese tech firm, Alibaba, said: 'This mini electric car is suitable for people of all ages, including the elderly, with a low speed of 45km/h and a minimum steering radius of 5m, providing a safe and controlled driving experience." The TC-T has a loading capacity of 435kg despite its small design. That means owners still have a small amount of transportation space to enjoy. But the electric model also has a range of modern luxuries not found in those buying a second-hand classic. Electric front windows, a central locking system and an LCD display system all feature in the TC-T. At present, there are no plans to bring the motor to Europe or the UK. But in the future, an affordable car for just a couple of thousands pounds could be a bargain for British motorists, especially first time drivers. 3
Forbes
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Serbia's Yugo Cult Car Could Be Back On The Road By 2027
Budget cult brand Yugo has been reborn, and promises a running prototype of its eponymous comeback ... More car by 2027. Photo: Yugo. Serbian budget car brand Yugo is back. Almost. Just three months after the announcement of the brand's rebirth, it showed a 1:5 scale model of its promised new Yugo at the Car Design Event in Munich, Germany, last week. Yugo promised the hatchback will be true to the brand's traditional budget ethos, with only two doors in the B-segment (or subcompact) market. Boasting a clean design that could have come from any number of European hatch specialists, the Yugo is yet to be given a specific model name, despite there being plans for three different models. A sporty derivative of the Yugo will be announced at the Car Design Event Classic in September, while fans of the cult brand will have to wait until the 2027 Belgrade Expo to see a fully functioning prototype. Only a scale model so far, but Yugo promises to return with a fun, affordable two-door hatch. Photo: ... More Yugo. Yugo, lead by Professor Doctor Aleksandar Bjelić, promises to deliver a fun, affordable car that will meet global safety standards and launch with both manual and automatic transmissions attached to combustion engines. Electric versions are 'possible' (not probable) and there will be different body styles, too. The new model reveal comes 17 years after production of the Zastava Automobiles Yugo GV (as it was called in the U.S.) ended, having spent 28 years developing a cult following despite a reputation for poor build quality and reliability. Malcolm Bricklin introduced Yugo to the United States in 1985, achieving surprising success, with 48,812 sales in 1987 alone, despite it being the slowest car sold in the country. By 1992, that figure had fallen to just 1412, and Yugo departed U.S. showrooms having pushed 141,651 cars through to the streets. The original Yugos were very Yugoslavian cars, with parts made in Macedonia, Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia Herzegovina, as well as Serbia. But Yugo's demise saw the ascent of Dacia, in neighboring Romania, and the Renault Group's budget brand is one of the rising sales stars of the European car market.
Top Gear
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Hold onto your cevapi: the Yugo is back, and it'll get a manual gearbox
Retro The Eastern European cult hero is back, and it'll be an affordable, petrol-powered three-door hatchback Skip 9 photos in the image carousel and continue reading They will be partying on the streets of Kragujevac tonight, because the Yugo is back. Yep, entrepreneur, engineer, automotive exec and university professor Dr. Aleksandar Bjelić has acquired the naming rights to Zastava's communist cult hero, and he's teamed up with Serbian designer Darko Marčeta to produce this 1:5 scale model that previews a future production car. Looks super cool, doesn't it? That's possibly the first time anyone has ever described a Yugo in that way, but we're seeing a retrotastic cross between a Lancia Delta Integrale and a modern-day Hyundai Ioniq 5. Advertisement - Page continues below And don't worry, because the Yugo isn't about to become yet another identikit crossover. The newly formed Yugo Automobile showed off its model at the Car Design Event 2025 and said that the production car would be a B-segment hatchback, so it'll rival things like the Toyota Yaris, the Renault Clio and the Volkswagen Polo. It will also be a three-door! Its makers say that the layout 'underscores the affordability and the sportiness of the new model'. This is sounding excellent. It gets better too. The new Yugo will apparently launch with combustion engines and a choice of either manual or automatic gearboxes. A small, affordable manual hatchback in this day and age? Hurrah! We're also told 'electrified versions are possible, as well as different body versions'. Reborn Yugo Cabrio? Yes please. You might like Despite being launched in 1980 using shortened Fiat 128 underpinnings, production of the original Yugo in Kragujevac continued all the way through to 2008. Almost 800,000 were built in total, with the dinky hatch providing basic, affordable transportation for the masses. Also provided the punchline to many, many jokes. This new one shouldn't be, though. In fact, the next step will apparently be the 'announcement of a sporty derivative' alongside further technical details at CDE Classic later in the year. We'll then be treated to a fully functioning prototype at the 2027 Belgrade Expo. Fingers crossed it has slightly more than the 45 horsepower of early original Yugos. Advertisement - Page continues below Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
