The return of Borgward had been rumored for years; today, with 70,000 units ordered, the former German brand is surprisingly well established on the China market, where Beiqi Foton Motor acquired rights to the name in 2014. Now the company is preparing for its next step: conquering Europe. The initial push will happen with the somewhat generic-looking BX7, which will mark Borgward’s return to its native continent starting next year.
Things will get more interesting, from our perspective, when the BX7 is followed by a new generation of Borgward cars now being developed under the tutelage of star designer Anders Warming, formerly of Mini. At the 2017 Frankfurt auto show, he gives us a glimpse at his ideas for the marque’s revival with the stunning Isabella concept car. The Isabella concept recalls the iconic Isabella of over half a century ago (below), which was one of the most innovative and beautiful cars of the 1950s and early ’60s.

This is mostly a spiritual kinship; whereas the historic Isabella was a compact to mid-size two-door sedan, coupe, or station wagon, the new concept is a true modern luxury car, measuring 196.9 inches long, 75.6 inches wide, and 55.1 inches tall.
The decidedly futuristic design features many unusual touches, such as the large front emblem, the distinctively styled head- and taillights, sliding doors for the driver and passenger, and a glass greenhouse that wraps around the tail featuring a large panoramic rear window. Alumin...