7 automotive rhymes

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For once, it’s not about embarrassing car names. But about clumsy or impractical names. A recent example: According to Toyota, the new Toyota Aygo X should be pronounced “Aygo Cross”, not “Aygo X”. Aha. So why, please, isn’t that what it’s called? Here are more language barriers:

7.Mitsubishi i-MiEV

With all due respect, tech affinity – but what if a car was seriously called an i-MiEV (short for Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle)? Even with a small i? Built between 2009 and 2020, this electric pioneer soon became known as “Ei-Mief” in German – which had marketers rolling their toenails in horror. Peugeot’s clone was called iOn (“Ei-On”). It sounded like telecommunications.

6. Bentley Bentayga

No, it’s not really a rhyme. But how melodious English names could be given to the brand’s SUV: Arnage or Brooklands, for example, would be very traditional, completely free and very British. As it sounds British, please – see Rolls-Royce Cullinan. But Bentayga – after a rock in Spain’s Gran Canaria?

5. Lamborghini Ignition

Just highlighting Lamborghinis is a challenge. But just as Lamborghini is often mispronounced as “Lambordschini” (note: it means spaghetti, not “Spadschetti!), the Countach (1974 – 1990) is not called “Kauntätsch” in English. But “Kuntas”. But out of respect, we give him “only” fifth place among stumbling blocks.

4. VW Carriage

With the Golf or ID.3, VW shows that Wolfsburg understands the catchy names. It’s just a problem in the luxury league. The noble Passat is called Arteon, something intellectually sought after. The Berber people of the Tuareg being the Touareg – well. But were the Phaeton («Fäthon(g)», picture) once called convertibles? The unfortunate luxury cruise ship (2002 to 2016) sounded majestic.

3. Jaguar I-Pace

Tradition (E-Type) or not: Jaguar is completely confused between the E-Pace (smaller SUV) and I-Pace (electric SUV, picture). The i called the I-Pace is tough: there’s no i in the electric car of everything. Here’s the problem: In German, I-Pace becomes “i-Päis”. It then sounds the same as the E-Pace in English (just “i-Päis”).

2.Smart #1

Second place goes to a car that won’t run until the end of 2022 but that sounds weird already. The name should embody a new era. That’s why Smart calls the small electric SUV Smart #1 and interprets it as “Hashtag One” (aka “Hashtag When”) to pronounce. Is Instagram on wheels? Seriously, why don’t you just say “Hashtag One”?

1. Nissan Qashqai

Rhyme gold goes to Nissan. Today, the name of the SUV Qashqai – pronounced “Kashkai” – rolls off the tongue. But in 2006 we were completely overwhelmed. To this day, as we write, we mutter “Qashqai” in a low voice so that “Quashquai” doesn’t end there. But: Yes, the name of a nomadic people fulfills its purpose (it did), everyone knows today.

Source: Blick