When Modern Cars Take Over Rétromobile

Rétromobile is the annual grand gathering of classic cars. It is an event that is increasingly showcasing modern cars as well.

Strolling through the aisles of Rétromobile is a fine dining pleasure that is renewed every year for every car enthusiast. No matter how much we celebrate the advent of the electric car and advocate for Zero Emission travel, it’s impossible to remain insensitive to these cars that have written some of the most beautiful pages of automotive industry history and which continue today to celebrate the passion for automobiles. And too bad if sometimes it comes at the expense of reason. Everyone is entitled to a little mischievous getaway now and then.

But for the past few years, these past glories are increasingly accompanied at Rétromobile by new creations from manufacturers. When it’s to showcase the next generation of a model, like Volkswagen with the 8th generation Golf, why not. However, when Renault takes the opportunity to present its new hybrid Coupé Rafale SUV and scale models of the new electric Renault 5, or when MG celebrates 100 years of history with the electric Cyberster, it raises questions about legitimacy. At Skoda, the electric prototype Vision 7S from 2022 even shares a booth with Voltavia, a retrofitted Octavia based on the 1969 model! As overheard in the aisles, “there are already shows for that”. Sure, but how many can boast of approaching the attendance of Rétromobile…

A quick photographic overview of these anomalies in the space-time continuum.

MG Cyberster

Renault Rafale and Renault 5

Skoda 7S Vision

Lancia Pu+Ra HPE

Volkswagen Golf