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10. Suzuki Swift
Suzuki has stated that the next-gen Swift is coming to the U.S., but in the meantime we're stuck with the Korean-built Reno hatch and the all-wheel-drive SX4 five-door, the latter a versatile, all-weather machine that's not terribly fun to drive. Europeans, who've had the Swift for years, love it, and it's easy to see why -- stout looks for a small three-door hatch, a sprightly 1.6-liter, 125-horse engine, four-wheel disc brakes, 17-inch wheels, and a 2400-pound curb weight all make the Mini-size Suzuki pleasurable to look at and a hoot to slide around hairpins. Bottom line: The Swift has the goods to help make Suzuki a real player in the U.S. market.
9. Mazda2
It's cute, cutting-edge, easy to maneuver, and no doubt a helluva lot more fun to drive than many of the runabouts roaming the States. Called the Demio in Japan and the Mazda2 in Europe, it's creating huge buzz thanks to its MZR 1.3-liter Miller-cycle engine, CVT, roomy interior, and sporty dynamics. With the success of the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, and Nissan Versa in the U.S., Mazda would be silly not to import the 2 -- at least we think so.
8. Fiat 500
If the Mazda2 is cute, the Fiat 500 is downright adorable. After a 30-year absence, the 500 is returning to the European market and, we wish, making its debut in the U.S. Unfortunately, that's not the case, but with Alfa Romeo scheduled to return to America next year, who knows, Fiat could be next. If it did ever make the voyage across the Atlantic, the 500 would give such cars as the Smart and the Mini a run for their money, not to mention make many an American warm and fuzzy.
7. Mercedes-Benz GL420 CDI
We love the GL. After all, we named it our 2007 Sport/Utility of the Year. We also love that Mercedes sells the GL320 CDI diesel in the States, making it one of few available diesel SUVs in America. What we don't love? That the monster diesel, the GL420 CDI, isn't sold in the U.S., especially considering it's built right in Alabama. With 516 pound-feet of torque at 2200 rpm and 306 horsepower at 3600 rpm, the V-8-powered GL420 can hit 60 in 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 143 mph, yet still achieve over 24 mpg. Now do you understand?
Peugeot 207 RC and Clio Renaultsport 197
Narrowing our list down to 10 was difficult, so number six goes to a tie between a couple French hatches, the Peugeot 207 RC, and the Clio Renaultsport 197. The former gets funky Euro styling and the Mini Cooper S's 1.6-liter direct-injected turbo four, while the latter, a tribute to Renault's Formula One championship, receives a 197-horse four, front Brembo brake calipers, 17-inch anthracite wheels, a stiffer suspension, Recaro seats, and Renault F1 team decals.
5. Honda Civic Type R
Sure, we have the fantastic Civic Si coupe in America, but that doesn't mean we wouldn't love to see Europe's Civic Type R, too. It would make a great CRX, no? Based on the European Civic, which comes in hatchback form, the Type R gets the same high-revving 197-horse, 2.0-liter four in the Si, but takes the sport factor a step further with an even more futuristic interior, racier bucket seats, and available 19-inch alloy wheels.
4. Ford Kuga
Fluent in Ford's new kinetic design language, the all-new Kuga is arguably the most handsome midsize crossover to ever come from the Blue Oval. Even more attractive, though, is the Kuga's available 2.0-liter Duratorq TDCi diesel engine and six-speed dual-clutch transmission. On sale early next year in Europe, the Kuga will no doubt prove popular; in fact, Ford is already projecting the Kuga will sell out. How would it fare in America? Much the same, we suspect. Think about it: Would you rather drive a Kuga or an Escape?
3. BMW M5 Wagon
How do you make an M5 even better? Easy, just add a real cargo hold and a hatch and call it a wagon. With the same 507-horsepower V-10 and SMG tranny, the M5 Wagon equals the sedan's performance capabilities, yet outdoes its four-door counterpart with the convenience and usefulness of an X5-like cargo area. Plus, any wagon with 19-inch wheels and four exhaust pipes is a must-have.
2. Artega GT
Penned by Henrik Fisker, the former Aston designer and the man behind Fisker Coachbuild, and backed by auto supplier Paragon, the Artega GT seems to mesh bits of the Lotus Elise, the Ferrari F430, and the Porsche Carrera GT into a beautifully sculpted two-seat sports car. Power comes from a rear-mounted 3.6-liter, 300-horse VR6, which is mated to VW's DSG dual-clutch transmission. With a curb weight of around 2400 pounds, the aluminum- and carbon-fiber-intensive Artega should deliver brisk acceleration. Will it make it to the U.S.? If the California-based Fisker has his way, it's only a question of time.
1. Audi RS 6 Avant
It's hard to one-up the M5 Wagon, but the Audi RS 6 Avant has done just that with a 580-horsepower twin-turbo V-10, Quattro all-wheel drive, and Dynamic Ride Control, which reduces pitching and rolling movements. Optional ceramic brakes -- front 16.5-inch discs and rear 14.0-inch discs -- come packaged with 20-inch alloy wheels and provide not only stealthy looks but also stellar performance. Similar to the R8, the RS 6 Avant features 10 LED daytime running lights housed in each headlamp cluster -- a useful feature for signaling that the family and their 59 cubic feet of luggage are charging down the highway at 155 mph.
http://www.motortrend.com/auto_show...12_2007_frankfurt_cars_we_cant_get/index.html
I could have thought of a some others for this list, but this list surely isn't bad.
M
