Collaborations That Shocked The World
Car collaborations are often predictable, but every now and then, a surprise partnership shocks the entire industry. These collaborations involved brands working together in a way we never would have thought possible. Yet despite how shocking they are, we can now all bear witness to the fruits of their labor—no matter how bizarre and unsuccessful it may be. So check out these 20 car collaborations that caught us all off guard.
1. BMW & Toyota
They shocked car lovers by teaming up to create the new Toyota Supra, based on BMW’s Z4 platform. It was a surprising move, considering these two carmakers were never known for collaborating. The result was a high-performance, stylish sports car under Toyota’s legendary Supra name.
2. Ford & Roush Performance
Ford and Roush Performance have teamed up multiple times to create amazing Mustangs like the 2023 Roush Trakpak Mustang. Roush, known for its tuning expertise, takes Ford’s muscle car and takes its power, handling, and styling to the next level. Roush editions of the Mustang also include a sound that screams power.
2023 Ford Mustang Roush TrakPak by Classic Car Liquidators
3. Peugeot & Citroën
Peugeot and Citroën may seem like separate entities, but these brands are actually part of the same group, PSA. They rolled out models like the Citroën C3 and Peugeot 208. Since their designs differ, these sibling brands have managed to give buyers two distinct experiences.
Citroën C3 C-Series 1.2 PureTech 83 vs. Peugeot 208 Active Pack 1.2 PureTech 100 by Martin Reviews
4. Hyundai & Prada
Prada brought surprising details to Hyundai’s limited-edition model, Genesis Prada, which was made especially for the South Korean Market. It had 19-inch alloy wheels and exclusive GP500 emblems. The dashboard and upholstery were revamped with Prada’s signature Saffiano leather. That sedan had a level of luxury that people didn’t expect from Hyundai.
5. Lamborghini & Audi
Audi took over Lamborghini in 1998. Many of us wondered how their distinct styles would mesh. The answer came with the Lamborghini Gallardo and Audi R8, which shared much more than just the same platform. Both cars had Audi’s engineering precision and Lamborghini’s aggressive, exotic styling.
Alexandre Prévot from Nancy, France on Wikimedia
6. Chevrolet & Hot Wheels
When Hot Wheels teamed up with Chevrolet, no one expected to see the awesome Camaro Hot Wheels Edition. This limited-edition Camaro brought Hot Wheels’ fun, playful designs to life and turned a classic American muscle car into a toy-inspired masterpiece.
Sarah Larson from Ann Arbor, MI, USA on Wikimedia
7. Toyota & Subaru
Toyota builds mass-market vehicles, while Subaru focuses on all-wheel-drive models. In a surprising turn, Toyota and Subaru teamed up to create the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ, two rear-wheel-drive sports cars that captured the hearts of driving enthusiasts.
Tokumeigakarinoaoshima on Wikimedia
8. Jeep & Fiat
When Fiat and Jeep joined forces, it seemed like an unlikely combo. But their collaboration brought the Jeep Renegade, a small SUV that carries Jeep’s iconic rugged charm in a more compact, city-friendly package. It had a Fiat platform but with Jeep’s off-road DNA.
9. AC & Carroll Shelby
Carroll Shelby dropped a V8 engine into AC’s Ace sports car and gave us the AC Cobra. This British-American masterpiece had classic European styling with raw American V8 power. Still loved today, you can find everything from electric replicas to original Cobras fetching sky-high auction prices.
10. Mini & Paul Smith
Mini went bold when it teamed up with British fashion designer Paul Smith. Together, they created the ‘Mini Strip’—a car that’s as much about sustainable materials as it is about style. Who knew a collaboration could strip down to something so innovative?
New Mini STRIP by Paul Smith | One-Off | Exterior Visual Review at the IAA 2021 by Planet Car News
11. Fiat & Mazda
When Fiat and Mazda came together, they created the awesome 124 Spider. The car is essentially the Mazda MX-5 Miata with a turbocharged twist and Fiat’s Italian styling. Their partnership brought roadsters to a whole new level of fun.
12. Chrysler & Mercedes-Benz
We got the Chrysler Crossfire when Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz joined forces. The Chrysler Crossfire is a sporty two-seater with the guts of a Mercedes SLK and the quirky design touches of Chrysler. Though it was discontinued soon, collectors still feel the nostalgia.
13. Toyota & Mazda
Toyota and Mazda collaborated on something truly unexpected, which was the Yaris iA. The car is based on Mazda2, and it delivered quite a punchy performance that left us wondering which brand Toyota is going to team up with text.
14. Chevrolet & Suzuki
People didn’t think Chevrolet and Suzuki would make such a perfect team one day. Enter the Geo Metro, a rebadged Suzuki Swift. This peculiar subcompact car may have surprised many of us, but it turned out to be a favorite of eco-conscious drivers everywhere.
15. Aston Martin & Toyota
Toyota made headlines once again! Aston Martin and Toyota—talk about a strange pairing. Believe it or not, their Cygnet was a masterpiece. A high-end city car based on the Toyota iQ, it was the ultimate ride for people who wanted to enjoy Aston’s extravagance as well as Toyota’s practicality.
FaceMePLS from The Hague, The Netherlands on Wikimedia
16. McLaren & Richard Mille
Did you know that McLaren doesn’t just make incredible cars but watches, too? Yes, it’s true! McLaren collaborated with luxury watchmaker Richard Mille. Together, they’ve crafted limited-edition timepieces, like the RM-65-01 McLaren W1, that are all about style and precision.
RM 65-01 McLaren W1- RICHARD MILLE x McLAREN by McLaren Automotive
17. Renault & L'Oréal
Renault and L’Oréal was a shocker for the world! Their ZOE ZE Concept was an eco-friendly car that combined Renault’s electric innovations with L’Oréal’s luxurious personal touch. The new ZOE is a 100% electric “spa” concept car, which is still undergoing continuous upgrades.
18. McLaren, Mecedes-Benz & BMW
The Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR's mind-blowing 240+ mph top speed had BMW’s backing. It was a collab nobody expected but everybody wanted. People often forget, but we should commend the fact that it was BMW that developed the high-revving V12 engine to power this iconic car.
19. Citroën & Polyphony Digital
When Citroën worked with Polyphony Digital to create the GT by Citroën concept car, we knew something special was brewing. This car was designed specifically for the Gran Turismo video game, proving that video games and real-world cars can blend in the most unexpected ways.
Y.Leclercq on Wikimedia
20. Lexus and Yamaha
The Yamaha Corporation went all in with the Lexus LFA. They helped design the car’s 4.8-liter V10 engine, which is widely hailed as one of the best road car engines. The brand also refined the air intake's sound, giving the V10 its iconic roar.
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