Cars names literally translated and reimagined
24th July 2019
What are cars named after? We delve into the world of weird and wonderful car names, finding out the literal translations of popular car models. Plus, we reimagine what they’d look like if their design literally reflected their name!
Porsche Macan
Fancy yourself as the feisty type? Embrace your inner tiger and earn your stripes as a true car enthusiast with the Porsche Macan – that’s right, ‘macan’ is the Javanese word for ‘tiger’.
Sleek and sporty, you’ll be feline fine in no time behind the wheel of the Macan, which will set you back a cool (for cats) £47,000.
The Porsche Macan offers both style and substance, and is known for its smart design as well as its practicality
Vauxhall Astra
You might call it Vauxhall’s crowning jewel, or star of the show – the latter being more appropriate, considering ‘astra’ is the Latin word for ‘star’.
It’s certainly one of Vauxhall’s most well-known models, although it’s been taken over in the popularity stakes in recent years by its younger sibling, the Corsa.
Since it was first launched by the British manufacturer all the way back in 1979, the Astra has been on quite the journey, and has seen several different versions. Practical and enjoyable to drive, it’s a reliable option that could become the star of your family.
Bugatti Chiron
The Bugatti Chiron is officially named after legendary Monégasque racing driver, Louis Chiron, thanks to his number of podium finishes in the luxury manufacturer’s cars.
Speaking of luxury, a Bugatti Chiron will set you back an eye-watering £2.5 million, which is perhaps befitting of its other namesake, the centaur Chiron from Greek mythology.
Chiron was known as the “wisest and justest of all the centaurs”, and he taught mythological heroes Achilles and Jason, amongst others.
If you consider yourself determined, knowledgeable and ethical, the Bugatti Chiron could be the one for you – if you don’t mind the high price tag, that is!
Ford Fiesta
If you’re the life and soul of most of the shindigs you attend, you might want to start driving a Ford Fiesta.
‘Fiesta’, of course, is the Spanish word for ‘party’, and the car’s trendy styling and nippy nature fit the theme perfectly.
The supermini car was launched by Ford way back in 1976, and there’ve been numerous iterations over the years. It’s renowned as a fun car to drive, and it packs quite the punch on the road, despite its diminutive size.
Volkswagen Tiguan
Tiguan is a combination of the German words ‘Tiger’ (‘tiger’, obviously) and ‘Leguan’ (‘iguana’). The name was the winner of a naming contest ran by German car magazine, Auto Bild.
With its large build and plenty of bite – much like a tiger – the Volkswagen Tiguan also has a softer side. It’s a spacious family car offering a smooth ride and a decent view for all passengers, thanks to its elevated position.
And similar to the cold-blooded iguana, the Tiguan’s a cool car overall with great features, and offers a good mix of strength, practicality and comfort.
Lamborghini Urus
You may have been told that you’re as strong as an ox, if you’re a regular at the gym or you work with heavy machinery. If so, perhaps you’ll identify with the Lamborghini Urus, which is named after a large wild ox that inhabited Europe, Asia and North Africa, now sadly extinct.
While you might be as strong as an ox, your bank balance might not be quite as strong – the Lamborghini Urus will set you back around £165,000!
However, it’s quite the powerful SUV, taking just 3.6 seconds to reach 62mph, and reaching an extremely speedy 190mph if you’re able to take it off-road.
