Every car enthusiast knows the feeling- when a car you’ve come to love is suddenly discontinued. Some cars transcend the notion of being just a mode of transportation; they become symbols of speed, innovation and character. In this blog, we’ll take a look at most 5 iconic cars that won the hearts of million and despite their loyal followings, were sadly taken off the production line. Here, we revisit 5 Iconic cars that should never have been discontinued.
1. Volkswagen Beetle
The Volkswagen Beetle was launched in 1938 in Germany, and was also known as “Bug”. Designed by Ferdinand Porsche the founder of Porsche Car Company, it was intended to be an affordable and practical car for German population, however due to World War ll, mass production was delayed. But after the completion of war, production resumed and the Beetle quickly became popular worldwide. It became popular in 1960s and 1970s globally due to its reliability, distinctive design and simplicity. However, by late 1990s and early 2000s, Beetle was revamped as the “New Beetle” with a more contemporary design but continued to rule hearts of millions. In India it was relaunched in 2009 but faced challenges of high pricing and limited practicality, as Indian consumers had different preferences for larger, more practical vehicles, which led to discontinuation of the car. And it faced similar challenges globally mainly due to its competition leading to its discontinuation globally in 2019.
2. Honda Accord
The Honda Accord launched in 1976, was one of the most iconic car known for its reliability, practicality and great performance. It was the top choice for the families, commuters and driving enthusiasts and it has been a major player in automotive since decades. The car was famous for its reliability, fuel economy, performance and handling. The 2.0 liter petrol engine was an epitome of refinement and precision engineering. It produced a power of 215hp at 315Nm of torque. It was a masterpiece and ruled hearts of driving enthusiasts. The car struggled to find success in the Indian market largely due to its high price range. It was considered too expensive for the Indian consumers, which led to a lackluster response in terms of sales. As a result Honda was forced to discontinue the model in India, despite its strong reputation globally.
3. Honda Civic
Another most iconic and favored car from Honda is its Civic. The car was known for its reliability, comfort and sporty design. The Honda Civic was firstly introduced in 1972 and has become a global best seller across generations. In India, the Civic gained its popularity for its classic design and premium feel. The car had to offer a 1.8 liter petrol engine providing power of 141hp @ 6500rpm. However, it was discontinued in the Indian market due to changing preferences of Indian consumers, primarily a shift towards SUVs. The last model sold was the 10th generation model, but was discontinued in 2021 from the production line-up. The reason behind it was its high price and reduced demand of sedans in favor of SUVs, which contributed to its exit from the Indian market.
Globally, however, the Civic continues to be a strong contender in the sedan market, with the latest generation being praised for its modern design and technology features.
4. Audi R8
The Audi R8 stands among the finest sports car, and for many, it has become a true dream car. The R8 got a massive attention in the Iron Man series, by Marvel cinematic universe. And was also acquired by many famous celebrities like, Virat kohli, Robert Downey Jr., Cristiano Ronaldo, Tom Hardy and many more. The Audi R8 concept was introduced back in 2006 and the production version was heavily influenced by Audi’s Motorsport success. The car featured with a mid-engine layout, Quattro system, and a lightweight chassis, which made it an instant icon due to its sharp and aggressive styling. It was initially launched with a 4.2 liter V8 engine producing 420hp and it further received a more powerful 5.2 liter V10 engine producing 525hp, which was derived from Lamborghini. The Audi R8 was capable to achieve 0-100km/h in just 4 seconds.
Further it showed up with some more impressive variants like R8 Spyder, R8 V10 Plus and R8 e-Tron the electric version of AUDI. But in 2023, Audi announced that the production of R8 would come to an end as Audi’s more focus was on the electric vehicles.
The final version, called Audi R8 GT came with a limited-edition, track focused variant with a rear-wheel drive producing 611hp.
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5. Cheverolet Cruze:
The Chevrolet Cruze once dubbed as the “Diesel rocket” of India. The car was a popular sedan launched in India in 2009, it was known for its powerful engine and premium features. The car had a 2.0 liter turbo diesel engine, producing 163Ps at 360Nm torque. It was praised for its acceleration, overtaking abilities and great driving experience. The reason behind its discontinuation from the Indian market was its declining sales in the Indian market, as the brand struggled to maintain a strong foothold in India, also the after sales service affected the sales as there was less availability of spare parts and concerns in services. So lastly, General Motors decided to exit the Indian market. Even today it’s remembered for its powerful engine and premium feel it offered at a competitive price.
