Yugo has made its return. Well, sort of.
After confirming its revival earlier this year, the quirky Serbian brand known for its budget-friendly hatchbacks of the 1980s has finally revealed a tangible shape for its comeback car. That shape, however, is still a scale model.
A tiny tease from the ‘80s icon
The fresh-faced concept debuted at the 2025 Car Design Event in Munich, presented as a miniature but fully detailed preview of Yugo’s design direction.
Styled by Serbian designer Darko Marčeta and overseen by the brand’s new owner, Professor Dr Aleksandar Bjelić, the concept channels the classic Yugo DNA: boxy silhouette, compact form, and fuss-free surfaces. But it’s also peppered with contemporary touches to signal a clean-sheet reboot.
‘Affordable and sporty’: new era, same spirit
While the model remains nameless for now, the company insists this isn’t just retro theatre.
In comments to Car Magazine, Yugo said the concept “does not just serve as a historical reminiscence, but underscores the affordability and the sportiness of the new model.”
Not quite road-ready, but it’s coming
If it reaches production, which Yugo is aiming for within two years, the reborn hatch will join a crowded subcompact battleground in Europe, rubbing shoulders with the likes of the Renault Clio, Citroen C3 and Volkswagen Polo.
While Yugo was never officially sold here, around 300 examples of mostly 45 and 55A models were imported into New Zealand during the 1980s. Rare today, they’ve become oddball collectibles among vintage enthusiasts.
As for the new Yugo, the company plans to offer naturally aspirated and turbo-petrol variants, with a possible EV to follow. Manual and automatic transmissions are confirmed, and there’s even talk of a performance version, with more detail expected later in 2025.
Still, don’t expect to see a full-size version on the streets any time soon. DRIVEN Car Guide understands a functional prototype won’t appear until the 2027 Belgrade Expo when production is also due to begin.
