If you take a closer look at the auto market, you'll find many awesome models that have been in production for longer than most people you know have been alive. Take the legendary Porsche 911, for example. The 911 has been around since the early '60s and is still one of the most popular German sports cars.
Every European automaker would love their cars to be as successful as the 911 has been, but that is rarely the case. The sad truth is that automakers often have to discontinue certain models due to poor sales, outdated designs and technologies, internal struggles, and other reasons – even when gearheads loved them. Let's explore ten discontinued European cars we hope to see make a comeback in the future.
10 Jaguar XJ220
In the late '80s, Jaguar wanted to build a new supercar that would be fast enough to break the production car speed record. After several years of development, Jaguar unveiled the V12-powered XJ220 prototype. Gearheads loved the prototype so much that Jaguar received an overwhelming number of pre-orders.
Unfortunately, the production version of the XJ220 left everyone disappointed as it replaced the prototype's V12 engine with a twin-turbocharged V6. Despite the disappointment, the XJ220 could still hit a top speed of 217 mph, making it one of the fastest British sports cars ever made. We hope to see a modern XJ220 with a V12.
9 Volvo P1800
Volvo is not the first automaker that comes to mind when you think of sports cars. However, looking at the P1800, it's clear that the Swedish marque is capable of building a world-class sports car if it chooses to.
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The P1800 had a lot going for it. For one, we love its design and think it's the best-looking Volvo ever made. The P1800's four-cylinder engine may not be as powerful as many gearheads would have wanted, but its bulletproof reliability makes up for that. The P1800 is one of the most reliable sports cars ever, as one model covered over 3 million miles.
8 Citroën DS
When it comes to Citroens, it doesn't get much better than the iconic DS. Introduced in 1955, the DS is an executive car that revolutionized the auto industry. The DS was noted for its unique design, which looked futuristic at the time and aided drastically in aerodynamics.
The DS was also praised for being far ahead of its time. The DS introduced several advanced technologies to the automotive industry, including disc brakes, directional headlights, and a hydropneumatic suspension system that made drivers feel like they were riding on a cloud.
7 Lotus Elan
Lotus doesn't get the respect it deserves amongst gearheads, even though it has built some of the most iconic British cars. One car that helped Lotus establish itself as a top automaker is the Elan, which debuted in 1962.
The Elan was a revolutionary sports car with advanced technologies like a fiberglass body perched on a steel chassis, a 1,558cc DOHC engine, four-wheel disc brakes, rack and pinion steering, and a four-wheel independent suspension system.
6 BMW M1
In the late '70s, BMW hired Lamborghini to build a race car in sufficient quantity to meet homologation requirements. However, conflicts arose before Lamborghini got to work, forcing BMW to produce the car themselves. The result was the M1.
The M1 was special in many ways. For one, it was the first car that the BMW M Division ever built. It was also the first mid-engined BMW to be mass-produced and had a gorgeous design penned by the renowned Giorgetto Giugiaro. Less than 500 M1s were ever made, which is why we'd love to have it back.
5 Porsche 944
1970-1990 was an interesting era for Porsche. The German marque was trying to grow its lineup to reduce its dependence on the popular 911, so it built a new line of entry-level front-engined models.
The 944 is arguably the best of them all. It was stylish, solidly built, and if you got the turbocharged version, it was pretty fun to drive. We'd love to see Porsche have another crack at a front-engined sports car soon.
4 BMW 3.0 CSL
The European Touring Car Championship was heating up in the '70s, with top automakers competing for glory. Not wanting to be left behind, BMW rolled up its sleeves and built the 3.0 CSL.
The 3.0 CSL used the chassis of the E9 but was powered by a larger 3.2-liter inline-six dishing out 203 hp and 211 lb-ft of torque. The 3.0 CSL also had an aerodynamic package that made it look a lot cooler with its large air dam, spoiler, fins along front fenders, and a rear wing.
3 Lancia Delta HF Integrale
Lancia has been super quiet for much of the 21st century, but it still commands respect among gearheads who know how great it used to be. One Lancia that many gearheads know and love is the Delta HF Integrale, which is one of the greatest rally cars ever made.
The HF Integrale set the rallying world on fire with its turbocharged four-cylinder engine and first all-wheel-drive system in a hot hatchback. A revival of this car could help Lancia make its return to the big leagues.
2 Lotus Esprit
We love the Elan, but to many people, the Esprit is the greatest Lotus. The Esprit debuted in 1976 to replace the Europa and immediately impressed gearheads with its superb wedge-shaped design. The Esprit was also powerful, particularly the turbocharged version.
Another thing that cemented the Esprit's legacy as one of the best Lotus models ever was when it was featured in the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me. The Esprit was involved in one of the most iconic movie scenes when it turned into a submarine after being driven into the ocean.
1 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
If there's one thing Alfa Romeo excels in, it's designing gorgeous cars. Just look at the 8C Competizione. This stunning car debuted in 2007 and was supposed to pay homage to the marque's designs of the 1930s.
The 8C Competizione is not all about looks alone - it's also properly fast, as it comes with a 4.7-liter Ferrari V8 engine belting out 444 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. Only 1,000 8C Competiziones exist, and we hope Alfa Romeo will make more in the future.