If Santa Claus wants to change his sleigh, the automotive industry has just what he needs
The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to take a break before the new year, surrounded by loved ones. But for the youngest among us, these last few days spent with family also mean opening presents left under the Christmas tree by the bearded man... provided his sleigh is running smoothly.
On that note, the automotive industry has had fun over the past few years imagining the sleighs of the future for Santa Claus. Some of them come straight from a distant era, while others are a little closer to what we know as a “traditional” vehicle.
But the most important thing is to inspire dreams, and in that regard, automotive designers are experts. Enjoy the show, and above all, keep an eye on the sky—Santa Claus might just land on your chimney with one of these speedsters. You never know.
2018 Dodge Redeye Express
With the return of the Hemi V8 engine to the automotive spotlight, we had to start this top 10 list with this 2018 concept featuring the latest generation of the Dodge Challenger. In this case, a development car served as the basis for the creation of this muscular sleigh, which, incidentally, has swapped its wheels for skids. The windshield has been cut in half, as has a large section of the roof. If Santa Claus is a fan of V8 engines, this sleigh is for him.
2020 Lexus HX
Unlike Dodge's creation, this redesigned sleigh from Lexus is entirely virtual. But that doesn't make it any less interesting. In addition to continuing to promote the Lexus identity with its hourglass-shaped grille and rear end inspired by the brand's sedans, this concept promises to carry all the gifts on Earth, with Lexus promising infinite space in the back. What's more, the Lexus sleigh's handling is ensured by a system called ARD (or All-Reindeer Drive), which promises smooth and powerful performance through the snow. And as if that weren't enough, a large 25-inch touchscreen alerts Santa Claus to air traffic so he doesn't waste a second during his annual delivery.
2011 Ford Evos
The idea of redesigning the sleigh is not new. Back in 2011, the Evos prototype, which preceded the latest generation of the Ford Fusion, served as inspiration for a sleigh tailored to the specific needs of the man with the long beard. The manufacturer highlighted its new 1-liter EcoBoost 3-cylinder engine, in addition to the latest innovations in its SYNC system and parking assist, ideal for tricky maneuvers near chimneys.
2024 Ford Ranger Raptor North
The American giant's mid-size pickup truck is certainly not big enough to carry all of Santa's gifts, but according to ELF (Experimental Laboratory Foundation), a fictional division of Ford Australia, an infinite cargo box is possible on board the truck, which was originally designed to withstand the rigors of the desert.
The goal of the original Ford sleigh was also to stay in the air, not just land back on solid ground after a jump generated by a dune. Wings were therefore added to the pickup on the sides and in the back, as well as a snowflake generator and jet engines to speed up distribution. Our favorite feature is undoubtedly the gingerbread oven installed in place of the glove compartment.
Santa's sleighs reimagined by a commission from a British magazine
In December 2024, the British publication AutoExpress called on a number of automotive designers to pay tribute to what the British magazine Car had accomplished a few years earlier. Here's what was imagined a year ago.
A sled designed by Daniele Calonaci of Jeep
In this illustration, we can clearly see the classic lines of a Jeep Willys MB used during World War II. Unsurprisingly, the narrow wheels have been replaced by skis mounted on suspension elements, but it is clear that this North Pole-based 4x4 is designed for the most challenging off-road driving conditions... as long as there is snow or ice.
A Citroën van for the man in red and white
This design is reminiscent of the timeless Citroën HY, but with a much greater sense of adventure. The all-terrain tires mounted on the front axle are a clue, as are the wide skis installed at the rear. Highly practical, this sleigh of the future meets all of Santa's needs. Designer Pierre Leclercq is behind this image.
A more classic line for the Peugeot sleigh
At first glance, the sleigh designed by Peugeot seems to stick to a traditional design, with a herd of lions instead of the usual reindeer—it is the Peugeot emblem, after all—in front of a red sleigh mounted on golden skis. However, it should be noted that the sleigh is controlled by a steering wheel, which is expected to feature in future production models from the French division. Designer Matthias Hossann is behind this design.
A DS for Christmas?
Let's stay with Stellantis a little longer, if you don't mind, because another designer from one of the empire's brands has left his calling card for a potential Santa Claus sleigh. The silhouette of a Citroën DS from the 1960s or 1970s is immediately recognizable, although the wheels have been replaced by skis. In fact, this sketch even leads us to believe that a modern interpretation of the classic DS would be relevant more than fifty years after its unveiling. Thanks to Thierry Metroz, designer at DS, for the sketch.
A new kind of sleigh from Volkswagen
The Volkswagen Golf celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024. That was all it took for the design department of the Wolfsburg giant to mark this important milestone. This is evident in the series of drawings created by Andy Mindt, including this one, which imagines a sleigh the size of a Golf—a vehicle that is probably too small to carry all the gifts in the world, but still very practical for everyday use. There is even a hint of the ID. EVERY1 concept unveiled earlier this year in this drawing.
Meanwhile at Cupra...
This is definitely an image of a sleigh of the future. The Cupra division, part of the Spanish brand Seat and a member of the Volkswagen Group, focuses on performance-oriented products, and this sleigh design illustrates quite well the rebellious automotive spirit that reigns within the brand. We also see some features that have appeared on the latest Cupra models, especially at the front with its triangular headlights and pointed nose. Designer Jorge Diez is behind this concept.
