Car names shouldn’t really matter. You shouldn’t buy a car because you like the name. Build quality, ride, handling, performance, reliability, looks – these are the tangible things that determine if a car is any good or not. The name of a car doesn’t have any discernable impact on whether it’s any good or not.
But car names are important, because they do matter to people. Want proof? Look at the fun that was generated by the contest Seat launched to name its new seven-seat SUV. The only real limitation was that the title had to match Seat's style of naming cars after places in Spain.
Another example is the debate sparked by Skoda’s decision not to use the Yeti nameplate for its new small SUV. Instead it’s named the Karoq, taking a cue from its bigger sibling, the Skoda Kodiaq.
So, car names matter to people – after all, they go a long way to shaping your initial opinions of a machine. Which leads us to this week’s talking point: what’s your favourite car name?
The quirky Skoda Yeti? Or maybe you actually prefer Skoda's new Alaskan-inspired SUV titles, such as the Kodiaq? Perhaps you're a fan of a title inspired by a real animal – the Ford Mustang, maybe? Or you could go for a play on words, such as the Ford Ka? Something a bit more literal, such as the Ferrari 812 Superfast? Or do you like your car names pleasingly foreign, such as the Lamborghini Murciélago? Or do you go for a bit of culture: the Aston Martin Valkyrie, anyone?
Over to you then. Let us know what your favourite car name is in the comments below.
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...as well as the Pontiac
The AMC Javelin
Jensen Interceptor
Lancia Integrale
Fiat Strada