Cars that changed the world of automobiles

Cars that changed the world of automobiles and why we love them even now

In this March 9, 2015 picture the logo of German car producer Audi is photographed at a car dealer in Eching near Munich, Germany, Car manufacturer Audi presents the newest balance figures on Tuesday March 10, 2015 in Ingolstadt Germany. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Volkswagen Beetle

Often touted as the ‘People’s Car’, the VW Beetle was an automobile that was designed and built for the masses with affordability in mind. Although the history of the Beetle dates back to the 1930s, production began only after World War II. It quickly became one of the most successful cars in history by selling more than 21 million units, with production spanning over 65 years, making it the longest-running and most-manufactured single-platform car ever. Dr Ferdinand Porsche, the engineer behind the Beetle, later used the same rear-engine design for Porsche sports cars.

 

Audi Quattro

 

The Audi Quattro is a legend that not only changed the world of rallying forever, but also established that all-wheel-drives are not just for off-road machines. The idea for the Quattro high-performance car came from a decision to fit a VW military vehicle’s 4x4 system in a coupé body. Naturally suited for rally racing, the Audi Quattro destroyed its two-wheel-drive competitors in the newly-formed Group B rally championship in the early 80s. It’s rightfully credited for single-handedly establishing Audi’s performance car division, and the German automaker has stuck to the AWD formula for all its cars ever since, helping the name and the spirit of Quattro to live on.

 

Toyota Prius

Launched in 1997, the Prius is not only the world’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, but also the first car to become a poster child for sustainable and eco-friendly motoring. Today, almost all the large carmakers in the world have at least one PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) or pure electric car in their line-up, but back in the late 90s, it was a radical idea. But the Prius became a hit in Japan and the United States, especially amongst Hollywood celebrities, who believed they were helping clean up the world.

 

Tesla Model S

 

Probably the most radical, influential and disruptive car of this decade. The Tesla Model S has not only successfully forced the entire automobile industry to change, but has also given a much-needed image makeover to electric cars. A catalyst for an all-electric revolution, the full-sized saloon transformed Tesla from a small Silicon Valley startup to one of the most powerful carmakers in the world, with its market cap surpassing that of Ford and GM. The Tesla Model S is also the world’s fastest accelerating car, beating the likes of LaFerrari and McLaren P1 hypercars.