Outsider view: Too much retro?

Updated

VW had something of a flop with the Beetle whereas the Mini has been a huge success for BMW. And how about Fiat? The 500 is doing OK. But what is the point of retro when the 1957 'Nuova 500' weighed a mere 500 kilos and had its engine in the boot while its modern-day successor is twice as heavy and has a completely different drive concept? On the other hand, who wants a vehicle that works on 1950s technology? So this is a case of retro justifying itself purely in terms of design and trying to revive the 'good old days' – with or without integrity. Is this really the way forward or are we just far too sentimental about the past?

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