Bizarre car names: creativity on four wheels
One thing is certain: names are not just smoke and mirrors – especially not when it comes to cars. But sometimes you wonder who at the car manufacturers came up with the idea for certain names. Here are some quirky or creative car names that have made us smile in recent years.
Of sharp thorns and holy SUVs
A car that is supposed to offer safety and comfort on the road bears the name... Isuzu Bighorn? You could almost be afraid of being hit by a huge horn. But don't worry, the "big horn" stands more for adventures in the wilderness - at least theoretically.
The Suzuki Vitara could also sound like it was meant for a trip to the jungle. If the Vatican needed an SUV, this would be the perfect name, because "Vitara" is somehow reminiscent of "Vatikar" – couldn't you imagine the holy man in it?
Wild animals in the automotive jungle
Sometimes the path to bizarre car names actually leads through the middle of the jungle – at least mentally. The Ford Ka could come straight out of the "Jungle Book", as it is strongly reminiscent of the cunning snake Kaa from Rudyard Kipling's classic. Perhaps Ford wanted to suggest to us that the little speedster meanders through traffic just as nimbly and agilely as its animal role model through the jungle. The only question is: Does it also flicker?
In contrast, the name of the VW Tiguan is indeed made up of a strange mixture of "tiger" and "iguana" – two animals that you can hardly imagine sunbathing together. But who knows, maybe the Tiguan offers the perfect car for the modern urban jungle, where the iguana adapts to the asphalt and the tiger provides the necessary bite.


Hot party with Fiesta and Picanto
But there are also names that immediately exude a good mood. Let's take the Ford Fiesta – this immediately makes you think of a wild party on four wheels. True to the motto: "Fiesta, fiesta, is there anything left?" The Kia Picanto also sounds like a culinary highlight and makes you think of spicy dishes. Perhaps Kia wanted to convey a spicy driving experience in a compact form.
A Ghost on Wheels
And what about a car that has a name that makes you wonder if it even exists? The Mitsubishi Eclipse bears the name of a solar eclipse and definitely gives it a mystical touch. It gets even more confusing when we look at Rolls-Royce's Phantom. A real phantom? Almost, because this car is so quiet and smooth that you feel like an invisible ghost on the road.


When the name causes confusion
Some car names are so bizarre that they simply cause confusion at first hearing. The Renault Captur, for example, sounds more like a verb than a car: "I capture the moment." And the Nissan Qashqai? Many probably had to google first to find out that the name is inspired by a nomadic tribe in Iran. How this fits in with a quick city tour remains a mystery.
Conclusion: Names that will be remembered
Whether named after an animal, a party or a natural phenomenon – creative car names are always a topic of conversation. If your own car doesn't have a name yet, October 2nd is the perfect day to get creative! Let yourself be inspired, because as these examples show: There is nothing that does not exist.
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Photo credits
- Cover photo: Konstantin - stock.adobe.com
- Ford Ka: Ford Press
- VW Tiguan: www.jandada.com
- Mitsubishi Eclipse: Mosses - stock.adobe.com
- Rolls Royce Phantom: be free - stock.adobe.com