Boris Johnson’s ‘new Routemaster’ bus – partly designed by Aston Martin – looks appealing, and is a vast improvement over those appalling ‘bendy buses’ that clog London’s arteries. Just the other day, while cycling home, Trafalgar Square was gridlocked by an inconveniently articulating ‘bendy bus’. No one, apart from the cyclists, was moving.
I got thinking about other great transport icons that should be reinvented. Here’s my priority list:
Land Rover Defender
The world’s oldest vehicle still in production – never mind that the only part carried over is the soft-top roof cleat. I love it, you love it, but there’s no denying it needs a major 21st century update. Land Rover has had plans to replace the Defender for at least 40 years, always cruelly unfulfilled. Off-road guru Roger Crathorne sums the priorities: ‘It needs to be tough, simple and full of character.’
Citroën 2CV
What’s not to like about a spacious two-cylinder vehicle with a roll-back roof and a superb ride? It would have to be inexpensive, fun and very green. Citroën has been teasing us with 2CV-like concepts for decades, including the eco-friendly C-Cactus and the 2005 Evoque.
Fiat 500
Yes I know there is the current Panda-based 500 and the girlies love it. But I’m after a tiny city-car 500, less than 10-foot long like the 1957 original. Perfect for parking and getting around town, choice of twin-cylinder or electric power. Gordon Murray’s T25/T27 would be a good starting point. Add 500-like style. Watch them sell.
Messerschmitt
I’m talking about the three-wheel bubble car, not the fighter plane that gave the Spitfires a run for their money. Small and narrow – just four foot or 120 cm – it would now be the perfect town car: trendy, practical and green. Cars are way too wide: narrow and nimble vehicles like the old Messerschmitt can turn urban dual carriageways into triple carriageways, maximising road space. Entry should be by a roof canopy. The new Renault Twizy gives a pointer. And who should make this? (Messerschmitt is now part of EADS.) Ideally BMW, one-time bubble car rival. They need something small and iconic. This could be it.
Sinclair C5
I’m serious here. I know the old C5 was a dud (CAR’s editor got stuck in one, battery dead, on Hyde Park Corner, which he said was no fun). But a single seat EV makes sense in town. If Sir Clive won’t do it, I suggest Sir James Dyson has a go.
Bugatti T35
This is a very old car, I know, born the same year that Lenin was entombed in Red Square. But the T35 was light (750kg), fast, small, agile, open roof and utterly gorgeous. The nearest thing nowadays is probably an Elise or a Boxster Spyder – but the new T35 needs to be smaller, lighter, more beautiful and even more nimble. And painted that same sublime Bugatti blue.
E-type Jaguar
A no-brainer, and Jaguar cocked up big time when, 10 years ago, they promised us the F-type and instead gave us the X-type diesel.