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The world car market is a complicated thing. Every major producer has it’s strategy, like every country has it’s local taste and characteristic. For ex. the US market doesn’t like diesel engines, don’t care about interior design much, must have huge bumpers. Europe on the other hand likes smaller cars, don’t use hybrids (cause diesel is cheap) and has worse prices on cars

Also there are international brands that work only locally. French trio: Renault, Citroen and Peugeot are not present in US. Fiat and Alfa planned to go accross the ocean in 2010 – but due to current car industry situation, nobody knows if they will. Also brands already present in US, choose models that will be sold in US and Europe separately.

Renault, Alfa, Opel, Honda...

Below You will find a list of 7 cars, that I find to go under category “fun” cars. hey are available to buy in Europe, but were not (so far) introduced to the US buyer. They’re all affordable options.

1. Renault Clio RS

The newest Renault hot hatch You can buy. It’s not a league of Focus (it’s one size smaller), but it sure is a fast city runner. 200 HP (non turbo 2.0 litre engine) in a car of a women’s purse size. 0-62 mpg in 6,9 seconds. It’s sold in amazing F1 yellow paint. The pictures don’t show the effect the colour makes – it really grabs some attention on the streets. Recent Renault designs are really good. And they are the first car producer brand, that had 5 models to achieve top ratings (5 stars) in EuroNCAP crash tests.

I would really see this car across the ocean. This go-cart is small, good looking and kicks ass.

2009 Renault Clio RS - looks like it's smiling

2009 Renault Clio RS

2009 Renault Clio RS

Photos: autoblog.com

2. Civic Type R (EU version)

I chose this car because of it’s design. I know that there is a Sport version of Civic, in more classic sedan-like coupe body line in US. But the EU version is really ahead of it’s times. Honda went all the way with design and interior. Put everything on one card – and they won. The car is modern and controversial. I know people that hate this car and the same number of people that love it (my father bought one last year as a “working car” for his garage). The car is selling great in EU. It’s competition (ex. Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3) look like they’re 10 years older comparing to this little beast.

Again US buyers could have this version at no cost. But somehow Honda held it for Japan and EU market only. We’ll probably some smart marketing people decided this was the best thing to do… I don’t agree.

Honda Civic Type R (Japan and EU version)

Honda Civic Type R (Japan and EU version)

Photos: www.carpw.com

3. Opel Insignia

This car came to replace previous Vectra model (Saturn Aura in US). The amount of extra equipment, additions, engines, AWD put Opel on a higher level among the competition. Currently some prototypes of All Wheel Drive OPC (Opel Performance Center) version with 325 HP engine were introduced to the press. It won’t be able to compete with BMW M3 or Audi RS4, but any way the car drives and looks great. All this for a price of a family sedan. In OPC version – less then half of M3 price.

Actually I didn’t find any information, if Opel will bring this car to US buyer (under Saturn brand). Probably due to all the recent bankruptcies turmoil and GM selling Opel, they are waiting with making these decisions.

2009 Opel Insignia

2009 Opel Insignia

2009 Opel Insignia

Photos: km77.com

4. Alfa Romeo Brera

Speaking about cool cars, You cannot skip the Alfa Romeo. Actually all their cars currently sold, are great looking. Alfa fans always say: “Every car fan should own an Alfa Romeo at least once in his life” and “You buy Alfa with Your heart”. “Cuore Sportivo” (“Heart for sports”) is still present in this car maker.

It’s an Alfa, so it will break. Pretty often I suppose. It doesn’t drive good (suspension is too soft, there is no fine engine in it). I will loose value faster than You can can count. But just look at this car… No one else puts design and looks, before being practical like Alfa. Just imagine cleaning all the holes and tight spots of the 3 round head lights. But can You really blame them for that?

I heard that Alfa Romeo wanted to “return” (do You remember Spider version Dustin Hoffman drove in The Graduate??) to the US market a year ago . But due too current crisis, probably they are waiting.

Alfa Romeo Brera

Alfa Romeo Brera

Alfa Romeo Brera

Photos: www.italiancar.net

5. Focus RS

This 300 HP (2.5l turbocharged engine) was claimed to be the best FWD car in it’s class. 0-62 mpg in 5.9 seconds. You can read more about this car in recent post: Ford Focus RS – How did they do it?

I really can’t understand why Ford, which is a 100% US brand, familiar on the market for decades, didn’t decide to sell this model in the US. They have the infrastructure, dealerships, even the Focus name is well known. Shame on You Ford! Are You listening?

2009 Ford Focus RS

2009 Ford Focus RS

2009 Ford Focus RS

Photos: www.caradvice.com.au

6. Volkswagen Scirocco

Meet the Volkswagen… Golf. Dressed a little, puffed and buffed in some places. Volkswagen revived Scirocco model last year (more info on the old one here). It’s available with all the cool extras that Golf GTI can have (DSG gearbox, 2.0 TSI engine, adaptable suspension etc.). You can get it for just about 2k Euro more than a Golf. It drives a little better than Golf though, thanks to lower weight centre and lower chassis (it’s more stable) – so You got the price difference justified Again a well known producer, strongly positioned on the market – keeps their best away from US. I don’t get it.

VW Scirocco

VW Scirocco

VW Scirocco

Photos: allworldcars.com

7. Fiat 500 Abarth Essesse

I wanted to put here a short info about Punto Abarth, but it would be just another hot hatch. Though I really respect the Fiat and Abarth (Italian “mad” car tuner) badge – it’s not the fastest, prettiest or coolest on the market.

Instead meet the smallest Fiat available: 500. Again revived model of this producer. Fiat 500 was a tiny city car that motorized italy in the ’60s, now it’s back. The cool thing about this car, is that You can customize it however You like (colours, decals, interior etc). There was some “Diesel” limited edition presented recently. Regular Fiat 500 i’s a fashionable toy for girls. But with Abarth badge – it’s crazy. But that’s not all. Regular Abarth version is 135 HP ( 1.4liter turbocharged engine ) - not bad for a shoe box. But You can choose to buy if with Essesse tuning package, to have 155 HP version! The package comes in a wooden box, and is installed to a 500 Abarth of Your choice by a dealer. With 17 inch alloys in this smallest car on the market from Fiat! Abarth is crazy – and that’s what I call a fun car Prices are very reasonable also (the most expensive version is below 20k USD).

I kind of understand why it’s not for US market yet. But here I would have good news: Fiat announces US market entry in 18 months, by buying Chrysler. Maybe in 2010 when they’ll go to there and Toyota will have it’s tiny IQ on sale and when the fuel will be 5$ a gallon… US buyer will start to like small cars… But unfortunately this Fiat will be called – Chrysler…

Fiat 500 Abarth

Fiat 500 Abarth

Fiat 500 Abarth

Photos: motorauthority.com

Did I miss any model? Make? Probably yes. So stay tuned (via RSS) to see more to come.

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