Flower power is the vibe for 2023, but not the type you'd expect.
Car names are varied and sometimes come with unique and beautiful meanings or tributes to people. Other times they end up just being an alpha-numeric soup. If you’re looking for a car with a name that exudes nature and flora, we’ve got the list for you.
Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla has been one of the world’s best-selling cars for years. With its practicality, usability and no-nonsense styling, it has won over many fans since its launch in 1966.
The name Corolla means the ring of petals around the central part of a flower. According to Toyota, the name was intended to evoke the image of a beautifully styled, eye-catching compact car.
Mitsubishi Cordia
The Mitsubishi Cordia is a compact hatchback-coupé manufactured between 1982 and 1990. The Cordia was one of the first mass-market cars to offer an optional LCD electronic instrument cluster.
While not directly named after the plant, a Cordia is a tropical tree or shrub that flowers and is part of the Boraginaceae family (or forget-me-not flower).
Citroen C4 Cactus
It’s understood that Citroen chose the name Cactus for its unique-looking SUV because the plant consumes very little water and protects itself in aggressive environments. The C4 Cactus has lower fuel consumption compared to other similar-sized cars and has funky and useful air bumps to protect it from car park incidents.
Lotus
There are many theories about the actual origin of carmaker Lotus’ name which seems to be a tightly guarded secret. From a fruit that cured homesickness in Homer’s Odyssey, to the eponymous water lily flower, even a reference to the phrase “us lot” which Lotus founder Colin Chapman used frequently. No one aside from Colin and his wife knew for sure.
The lotus flower has a life cycle unique to other plants. With its roots latched in mud, it submerges every night into the water and re-blooms the next morning. In many cultures, this process associates the flower with rebirth and spiritual enlightenment.
Nissan LEAF
While the Nissan LEAF is an acronym for Leading, Environmentally Friendly, Affordable, Family Car, the symbolic name for the electric hatchback exudes its green eco credentials. Nissan says that just as leaves purify the air in nature, the Nissan LEAF purifies mobility by taking emissions out of the driving experience.
Keyword: Stop and smell the roses with these five floral-inspired named cars