Baby Cars and Their Adult Versions

Can’t afford your dream car? That’s ok, just buy the smaller version.

Do you ever look at a car and just think that looks exactly like a little version of the so and so? When you start looking, it’s quite easy to start seeing design inspirations and borrowings from one car implemented on another.

Just like in fashion, cinema and music there are trends in the motoring industry and when it comes to the physical appearance of cars, designers often borrow from existing designs either intentionally or by accident. It’s often of no coincidence that across the range of a manufacturer’s portfolio, cheaper models will use a similar design language as the higher-end models and the higher-end models will have similar styling as the lower models but with some enhancements and frills thrown in.

Audi TT – Audi R8

For instance, the TT and R8 are both coupe sports cars made by Audi and because of this, they are bound to share some visual similarities. The difference, of course, is that one is a 600-horsepower mid-engine supercar and the other is a 2.0-litre coupe that can be picked up for under £20,000 on the used car market.

At a glance, the faces of these cars are nearly identical. If a TT is coming straight at you, it’s easy to mistake it for an R8 thanks to the same angular grille which is the exact same shape, the pointed and angled lights and the air vents to the side. The illusion may start to fall apart as you begin to look at the rear and sides of the car but with the TT RS having sportier styling, a spoiler and an extra 100 ish horsepower over the standard TT, who needs an R8 anyway?

Suzuki Jimny – Mercedes G-Class

The people over at Suzuki know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to the Jimny. They saw the pop culture adoration of the so-called G Wagon and decided to hop on the bandwagon and ride it all the way to the bank. Or at least that’s what you would think if you didn’t know the Jimny actually predates the G-Class!

The latest model of the Jimny has proved to be quite the success and its new, boxier style likely has a part to play in that. There have been four generations of the Jimny so far and three of them have essentially looked like baby G Wagons. The fourth-generation has taken the Jimny back to its boxy roots and now it’s back to looking as it should – as a cute, smaller version of a Mercedes G-Class.

Other examples

If you’re leaning more towards smaller and less powerful over larger and faster, these baby cars may be just what you’re looking for and will likely save you a pretty penny over the ‘adult’ versions too!

VW Polo – VW Golf

BMW M2 – BMW M3

Ford EcoSport – Ford Kuga

Alfa Romeo 4C – Ferrari 458

Ford Capri – Ford Mustang Mach 1

Let us know which cars you think look like ‘baby’ versions of other cars, in the comments below.

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