Geek Out! The true value of heritage

As the trad Euro car makers fight an ever-growing number of Chinese companies fetching up to steal their lunch, one of their greatest weapons is heritage. Renault was early to realise this with the brilliant 5 EV, followed by the R4 and Twingo to create a full range of à la recherche du hatchbacks perdu.

Now VW is getting in on the act, the restrained new ID. Polo deliberately evoking the sturdy, redoubtable models of 40 years ago, not least by allowing a digital recreation of their big and pleasantly simple instruments.

Citroën is bringing back the 2CV, Fiat is summoning the spirit of the original Panda, Ford is dusting off badges from the past because, while naming a slant-backed electric SUV Capri causes a bit of chagrin among car nerds, it also triggers a hell of a lot more recognition in the mind of the average person than, say, a Chery Tiggo 7.