Santa’s sleigh… by the world’s best car designers

Let’s be honest. Sleighs seem a bit, well, Middle Ages, don’t they? You could say they’re actually little more than a chariot with skis attached. If you’re delivering presents all across the world, a sleigh doesn’t strike us as the most suitable piece of transport for a certain Mr Claus. 

And his sleigh, of course, is powered by…. reindeer. Have you ever actually seen one up close? (Or smelled one, for that matter?). No one could possibly be thrilled at the idea of sitting so close to the rear end of so many reindeer for a whole evening, even if it is just once a year…

So to help him out, we asked some of the world’s best car designers and their studios to come up with a rather more suitable company car. And to our delight, the request was taken on board with immense enthusiasm. Despite being among the busiest people we know, they jumped at the chance to create some new transport for our seasonal superstar. 

Over the years, we’ve had regular audiences with the world’s leading car designers, and know that for every new car you see on the road, there are countless sketches, ideations and iterations that never see the light of day. So to let their creativity run a little wild without the limitations of focus groups or straight-laced ‘direction’ from the suits on the board, we threw down the gauntlet for them to produce something magical for the big guy. 

Whether retro themed or ultra-futuristic, the amazing sketches and renders they delivered show the astonishing creativity of car design studios in their most eclectic forms, overlaid with plenty of festive cheer, of course. So on behalf of Auto Express, and all our friends working away in studios around the world… happy holidays!

Volkswagen (Andy Mindt)

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Volkswagen’s interpretation of Santa’s new sleigh channels the spirit of the classic Golf Mk1 in a festive, modern twist. Celebrating 50 years of the Golf, this futuristic sleigh combines the simplicity and charm of the original model with a high-tech, eco-friendly design.

Equipped with iconic round headlights, an aerodynamic shape and a nod to the “Ho..ho…ho…” spirit, this isn’t just a sleigh – it’s a tribute to VW’s heritage. Just as the Golf Mk1 made waves in the Seventies, Santa’s new ride captures the joy and innovation that VW says it attempts to bring to every generation.

Cupra (Jorge Diez)

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Cupra’s ‘Dark Rudolph’ is a striking vision of how Santa’s sleigh could look. It integrates part of the brand’s new DNA in the form of the Shark Nose, where, according to Cupra, “the magic starts to power Santa anywhere”. The ‘Long Bonnet’, meanwhile, is where “all its dreams and emotions are present”.

This is complemented by the Helmet Concept of the cabin, in order to give Santa the adrenaline of driving while keeping him focused. And the rationale behind this? Cupra tells us: “We imagine the future freely, expressing our rebellious spirit through the unexpected, boosting the emotions and feelings of drive. Because at Cupra, just like during Christmas, dreams come true!” Feliz Navidad indeed!

DS Automobiles (Thierry Metroz)

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DS Automobiles’ idea of the perfect sleigh is a retro-based design based on some of the iconic DS and SM models from the brand’s illustrious history. Like many of our entries, it replaces wheels for runners, which sit above a clever side step built right into the front bumper assembly. 

However, the essence of DS and its torpedo shape haven’t been lost, offset with a decidedly more modern glass canopy. There are probably more usable or practical concepts on these pages, but few in which Santa would look any more suave or sophisticated. 

Jeep (Daniele Calonaci)

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Jeep has taken direct inspiration from the legendary Willys MB from the Forties for its sleigh, which features the classic seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheelarches and ‘no-step’ rock rails – essential for Santa’s more adventurous helpers.

One of Jeep’s most familiar modern iconographies is the duck motif featured here on the front and rear bumpers, alongside a ‘hood’ number indicating the mission date. Like all Jeeps, Santa’s rock-crawling ride is geared for the most intensive off-road situations with winches, straps and coils all ready to get him out of a snow bank – if Rudolph and the gang don’t have sufficient grunt to do so!

Citroen and Pierre Leclercq 

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The French firm’s design team has imagined a fabulous snow-proof Citroen Type Santa sleigh with Iconic Red paint and more than a few references to the iconic H-Van – with a twist! This two-wheeled, twin-ski monster will ensure even children in the most remote destinations get their presents. 

The front face showcases the brand’s new logo and the three-point vertical and horizontal light signature, while the optimised cargo box is ideal to carry Santa’s Christmas gifts. He’s also sure to enjoy the panoramic view of the cabin, complete with red glazing on the side windows.

Peugeot (Matthias Hossann) 

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Peugeot has gone decidedly old-school with its sleigh design, retaining its runners, but in bright gold. Look closely, though, and you’ll spot the next-generation steering wheel and a surfacing language that isn’t a million miles away from models we might just see from the brand in the next few years. 

You’ll also notice that this sleigh isn’t reindeer powered; instead lions take the reins. With Google confirming that yes, lions are faster than reindeer, our rather unscientific calculations suggest Santa should get home a couple of hours earlier from his global deliveries should he opt for Peugeot’s sleigh. Result!

Which design is your favourite? Tell us in the comments section below...