Holden Commodore, Mitsubishi Lancer, Honda CR-X and other cars that deserve a new beginning | Opinion

Easter is a time of rebirth and new beginnings, and naturally that turns our mind to cars (what can I say, we have a one-track mind). Cars fail and disappear for all sorts of reasons, and while some probably should stay in the big car park in the sky (we’re looking at you, Leyland P76), there are some other former favourites we think deserve a fresh start.

Holden Commodore

An obvious choice? Sure. A realistic one? Not really. But it doesn’t stop us from dreaming, and there’s seemingly a way for it to make a spectacular return. 

The Chevrolet Camaro has recently come to a temporary end, but General Motors (which still owns the Holden brand name) has vowed to bring it back. The expected form is either an electric sedan or SUV - or both.

An obvious choice? Sure. A realistic one? Not really.

Obviously an electric SUV wouldn’t make sense to wear the Commodore badge, but if the Camaro returns as a high-performance electric sedan, why not slap the Lion badge on it and sell it as a Commodore in the land Down Under?

It would be a reverse of the VF Commodore’s time as a Chevrolet SS in the US market, and it could even be sold under the GMSV banner, alongside Chevrolet and Cadillac.

It would be a reverse of the VF Commodore’s time as a Chevrolet SS in the US market, and it could even be sold under the GMSV banner, alongside Chevrolet and Cadillac.

Mitsubishi Lancer

I bet you think I’m about to type the word ‘Evolution’ (and I did but not in the way you think), but I think the Lancer deserves a comeback in a humble form. The small-car market is in decline as car makers see more profit in the small-SUV segment.

But the success of the likes of the Toyota Corolla, Kia Cerato and MG5 shows there is still a market for affordable small cars. Buyers want a new car, but the inflating prices of SUVs are likely turning many would-be buyers away.

I bet you think I’m about to type the word ‘Evolution’ (and I did but not in the way you think), but I think the Lancer deserves a comeback in a humble form.

Given Mitsubishi’s long history with the Lancer nameplate, it makes sense to try and bring it back, potentially in partnership with Nissan or Renault (or possibly even Dacia) to spread the development costs down and keep the prices affordable.

And if they happened to do an Evolution version too, well, I wouldn’t be unhappy about that…

And if they happened to do an Evolution version too, well, I wouldn’t be unhappy about that…

Honda CRX

Yes, Honda makes the greatest hot hatch in the world, but the Civic Type R is priced beyond the reach of anyone but the wealthy elite of hot hatch buyers. What about those younger, less-rich hot hatch fans - don’t they deserve to experience Honda’s front-wheel-drive excellence?

What about those younger, less-rich hot hatch fans - don’t they deserve to experience Honda’s front-wheel-drive excellence?

Reviving the CRX as a smaller, less powerful, less tech-laden alternative to the Civic Type R would help to refresh Honda’s image and attract a new generation of fans.

Reviving the CRX as a smaller, less powerful, less tech-laden alternative to the Civic Type R would help to refresh Honda’s image.

Ford Focus RS

The Focus RS was one of the best hot hatches on the market, five cylinders of turbocharged awesomeness. But, like so many cars in recent years, it was consigned to history at the expense of an electric future.

What if there was a way to bring it back and make it fit with Ford’s new electric-is-the-future plan? Having recently driven the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, I reckon that’s the way forward for Ford - an all-electric, fun-focused Focus RS.

The Focus RS was one of the best hot hatches on the market, five cylinders of turbocharged awesomeness.

The appeal of the Ioniq 5 N isn’t just the sheer power and torque, it’s the handling, the clever soundtrack and faux gearbox that combine to make it a genuinely fun EV to drive. Ford could use the Focus RS as a flagship for its electric technology and the idea that EVs don’t have to be boring.

It worked for the Mustang Mach-E in the US, the Focus RS would be the ideal candidate for Europe and Australia.

What if there was a way to bring it back and make it fit with Ford’s new electric-is-the-future plan?

Nissan 200SX & Mazda RX-7

Mazda has been teasing a possible return of the RX-7 for decades and has never found the right way to turn its concepts into reality. Equally, Nissan once teased the idea of a revival of its cult favourite, the 200SX (aka Silvia). Well, to quote the little girl from the old taco ad, ‘why not have both?’.

Equally, Nissan once teased the idea of a revival of its cult favourite, the 200SX (aka Silvia).

In recent years we’ve seen car companies become more open-minded about shared development, as it can be mutually beneficial and saves money. If Toyota and Subaru can work together to make a pair of affordable, rear-wheel-drive sports cars, why can’t Nissan and Mazda?

Developing a shared rear-wheel-drive platform, which could also be shared with the next-generation Nissan Z and Infiniti models, could pave the way for both of these famous nameplates to return.

Mazda has been teasing a possible return of the RX-7 for decades and has never found the right way to turn its concepts into reality.