There are some fairly crazy car names at the moment; Mercedes A250 engineered by AMG, BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport are just two that spring to mind. But don't think for a moment that new cars have a monopoly on odd names, even if they are often much, much longer. Here are some of my favourites from the annals of history.
The Isuzu GIGA 20 Light Dump – a small truck from Isuzu that really could have done with the word 'truck' being used at the end of its title. Not to be confused with the altogether more pungent Mazda Titan Dump.
The AMC Gremlin – how do you ever manage to sign off, so to speak, on a name like that?
Subaru Brat – a coupe from Subaru whose name is an acronym that stands for B-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter.
Buick LaCrosse – which means masturbating teenagers in French, and is a Buick originating from the 1960s that’s still on sale in certain markets to this day.
Mitsubishi Pajero – which mean Mitsubishi w****r in Spanish, otherwise known as the Shogun.
Daihatsu Naked – a kind of small Japanese Hummer alternative. Eh?
Honda That’s – a Japanese mini-suv that might well have benefited from an ellipsis at the end of its name.
Great Wall Wingle – a small pickup truck from China.
Toyota Deliboy – so near yet so far from being the ultimate van name for those who live in Peckham.
Mitsubishi Lettuce – you think I’m joking? Think again.
Suzuki Every Joypop Turbo – a small turbocharged van from Japan.
Mazda Bongo Friendee – a Japanese camper van.
Geely Rural Nanny – an Aussie pickup re-engineered (and appropriately renamed) for the Chinese agricultural market.
Daihatsu Scat – a compact and rather mucky off-roader.
And of course not forgetting the Mazda Carol Me Lady – a special-edition supermini from Mazda.
Most of which make the BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport seem, well, almost boring by comparison.
You know what comes next: anyone got any more car names that make the latest X5’s seem sensible (it is the last day of summer and it’s been a long week, after all)?
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Here's a couple
The Nissan "Cedric" and the Toyota MR2, which is Toyota "shitty" in french.
More favourites...
Isuzu Bighorn, Chevrolet Joy, GMC Handi-Van and the Chevrolet Jimmy!
Surely the Mitsubishi Carisma
Surely the Mitsubishi Carisma is worth a mention as it had about as much charisma as one of my toenails. Let me tell you my toenails are a charisma-free zone.