Ford Territory, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Subaru Brumby, Mazda 3 MPS and other memorable cars that should return

Finding a nameplate that resonates with customers is one of the great challenges for a car company - which is why they never like to let them go. 

In the last few years, we’ve seen a series of long-dormant model names make comebacks, as car brands like to cash-in on the past. We’ve seen the return of the Toyota Supra, Ford Bronco and, just recently, both the Honda Integra and Lamborghini Countach. 

Read More About Ford Territory

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It’s not just the names, though, it’s what the model means to the brand. For example, Toyota wanted to add more performance sizzle to its line-up, so what better way than to do that by reviving the Supra?

But we want more, so here are some other nameplates we’d like to see come out of retirement, not only because they’re memorable names but because they could add something different to each brand.

Ford Territory

Sometimes you don’t truly appreciate something until it’s gone, and that’s arguably the case for the blue oval’s underrated Territory. It was a solid and steady performer for Ford Australia from when it launched in 2004 (it sold more than 23,000 examples in ‘05) and stayed strong and steady until 2013 when the decline began; around the same time the company’s local future became uncertain.

When production ended in late 2016 Ford confirmed it would retire the nameplate, believing that an imported model didn’t deserve to wear (or need to be burdened by) the Territory name. But the failure of its short-lived replacement, the Endura, suggests otherwise.

While the imported Holden Commodore (aka Opel Insignia) arguably struggled because of the pressure and expectations of the long-serving name, the Endura arguably would have benefitted from having the brand equity the Territory had built up.

Given Ford Australia no longer has a large, family friendly SUV like the Territory (aside from the Ranger-based Everest off-roader), now would be a good time to bring such a model to market with a familiar name.

Chevrolet SS

For reasons alluded to above, the days of both the Holden and Commodore names are over in Australia, and it’s probably for the best. But the market for an affordable performance sedan remains in the country, and while the Kia Stinger has failed to fill the gap, that doesn’t mean a new model with a familiar name couldn’t ultimately replace the Commodore.

When Holden was exporting the Commodore to the US in the early 2010s, it was badged as the Chevrolet SS - and we can’t think of a better name for the rumoured new Camaro-replace electric sports sedan General Motors is planning.

Aside from being an ideal name to sum up the new sports sedan, it would help establish a connection between the brand’s past and future, as well as giving it a subtle nod to the Commodore should GMSV decide to offer it locally; win-win-win.

Subaru Brumby

Car makers don’t just recycle model names, they also reuse model concepts, and if there’s an obvious candidate for resurrection in modern times, it’s the Subaru Brumby.

The original Brumby was a compact ute, with an economical but strong four-cylinder engine that was great for both work and play. Hyundai and Ford have taken inspiration from that concept to create the Santa Cruz and Maverick SUV-based utes for the US market, which would be the perfect opportunity for Subaru to re-enter the ute space with its own take.

A Forester-based Brumby revival would allow the Japanese brand to get into the ute market without having to develop an all-new ladder-frame chassis at great expense. But, just as importantly, it would give Subaru clear space from the majority of the ute market and save it from going head-to-head with the likes of the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger and Nissan Navara.

Toyota FJ Cruiser

There aren’t too many holes in the Toyota line-up, with its broad spectrum of models stretching from the pint-sized Yaris to the behemoth LandCruiser - but there is something missing. As much as we’d like to say ‘MR-2’ in truth, adding a third sports car is probably overkill at this stage, which is why we think it's time for the FJ Cruiser to return.

Technically, the FJ Cruiser is still available in some markets, but it was only sold in Australia for a brief period between 2011 and 2016, and it attracted an enthusiastic following during that time.

It’s short lifespan here was largely due to it being dropped from the US market, but with a proper international program, it’s hard to believe a genuinely capable off-roader with some classic ‘FJ’ retro styling cues wouldn’t be another worthy addition to the Toyota line-up.

Toyota has even teased the possibility, showing off the FT-4X concept at the 2017 New York Motor Show. While smaller than the original, the styling cues with the FJ were obvious and unsurprising as it had come from the same California design studio responsible for the FJ Cruiser.

Given the return of the Bronco, it would be very un-Toyota for the brand to allow its opposition to go unchallenged for long.

Mazda3 MPS

When news first broke that Mazda was planning on installing its 2.5-litre turbocharged engine into the Mazda3, hopes of a hot hatch return for the brand were high. Alas, it was not to be, with the Mazda3 Turbo simply a new variant of the range and one sticking to the brand’s focus on quality over sportiness.

But with the 2.5-litre turbo good for 186kW/434Nm, it certainly has hot-hatch potential, and with the 3 range avoiding cut-price models, the only way is up. Adding a new 3 MPS model would give the brand a new flagship that would be in keeping with its premium aspirations, while expanding the range to go head-to-head with the likes of the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Hyundai i30 N.

While adding a hot hatch may seem counter to Mazda's 'semi-premium’ goals, it needn’t be a ‘boy racer’ offering and could in fact be a more sophisticated take on the genre, albeit with the MPS name we know from the past.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

The Japanese company has already confirmed it’s bringing one name back to life - Ralliart - and that has potential for another - the Lancer Evolution (or ‘Evo’ for short). The performance division built 10 generations of rally-bred compact performance sedans before calling it a day in 2016.

While Ralliart is returning, there’s no confirmation yet from Mitsubishi we’ll get a Lancer Evo, instead the Evolution badge may be applied to an electric SUV. While that may be more in keeping with the current market trends, there’s still potential for something closer to the original - a hot-hatch-rivalling sports sedan. It would give Mitsubishi a chance to go wheel-to-wheel with the Lancer Evo’s archrival, the Subaru WRX, as well as the likes of the VW Golf GTI and Hyundai i30 N.

It’s not a far-fetched plan either; in recent years there have been several reports that Mitsubishi could take advantage of its alliance with Renault and build an all-new Lancer on the same platform as the Megane. That would give Mitsubishi access to the Megane RS platform and turbocharged powertrain - ideal for a reborn Lancer Evolution.