A LONG-forgotten car brand has vowed to return after decades away with an ultra-affordable retro hatchback.
One man has pledged to resurrect the retro company from the dead after its peak in the 1980s and 90s.
Dr Aleksandar Bjelić, a Serbian professor, has vowed to relaunch the brand after 17 years.
Zastava Yugo, most commonly marketed as Yugo, was originally designed as a shortened version of the Fiat 128.
Its production began in the 1980s and ceased in 2008.
The prof, who is also an engineer and economist with decades of experience, will work alongside Serbian designer Darko Marčeta to create the retro yet functionally modern car.
Dr Bjelić has already secured the funding required to buy the rights to the Yugo name, and filed the trademark applications globally.
As more brands announce plans to introduce cheap entry-level EVs to encourage motorists to make the switch away from petrol and diesel cars, the revival of Yugo couldn’t be more timely.
For those not ready to make the switch just yet, the upcoming Yugo will be available in either a petrol or electric powertrain.
But it is too early to assume any performance or economy statistics.
The new model, yet to be named, features a generally boxy style with sharp straight lines, sketches show.
It has a thick C-pillar and bonnet-mounted air vent that is particularly reminiscent of the 80s original.
To keep the design modern, the new Yugo will use LED headlights and taillights.
It has a sporty-looking bumper and a large set of alloy wheels.
The owner hopes to launch the new hatchback in 2027, but plans to introduce the car to the UK remain unknown.
In the meantime, the company plans to raise publicity for the model by using a fleet of classic Yugos to drive from Kragujevac, Serbia to Mount Kilimanjaro.
The trip is a recreation of one originally made by the company in 1975.
HISTORY OF YUGO
1980 – Zastava Yugo, also marketed as the Zastava Koral and Ygo Koral is launched.
1985 to 1992 – Yugo is marketed in the USA
1987 – Peak amount of Yugo sales
1992 – Sales drop and the brand is criticised for its design, poor safety and reliability.
2008 – Production ends.
