FOREIGN CARS WE WISH WE COULD BUY
International markets get so many cool cars that we can’t get our hands on here in North America. As the saying goes, you always want what you can’t have, and our editors are constantly jealous of the cars offered overseas. Here are the foreign-market cars they wish they could buy here
Dan Ilika, road test editor: Holden Ute SS-V
“I love wagons as much as the next AutoGuide.com staffer, but picking something like the Audi RS6 is far too easy — not to mention practical. Instead, the unattainable apple of my eye is the Holden Ute SS-V. Part pickup truck and part maniacal marvel of a modern sports car — that’s right, I said sports car — the Ute SS-V is the crazed cousin of the soon-to-be discontinued Chevrolet SS that was born out of anything but necessity. It sends the more than 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque generated by its 6.2-litre V8 to the rear wheels through a standard manual gearbox, and is sure to raise hell wherever it roams. Impractical, outrageous, fast and fun. What more could you ask for?”
Sami Haj-Assaad, features editor: Renault Megane RS 275 Trophy
“I gotta go with the French automaker Renault for my choice. The Renaultsport Megane RS 275 Cup is a beast of a hot hatch, something that’s a blast to drive, good looking and practical, too. It gets to 100 km/h in just six seconds thanks to a turbocharged, 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that makes more than 260 horsepower. Also, how can you say no to that lovely yellow shade of paint?” Jodi Lai, managing editor: Alfa Romeo Mito “I would give a less-loved limb (maybe a baby toe) to have an Alfa Romeo Mito. They make a top-line sporty version with a six-speed manual in Europe that suits me perfectly, but the more interesting one is the Quadrifoglio Verde model that’s powered by a 1.4-litre engine with 168 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, which is fantastic for a car this small. If I could get it with a manual, it would be perfect. I love tiny, sporty hatchbacks and this little three-door hits all the right notes for me. I can’t afford a 4C, but this front-engine, front-wheel-drive little bean can’t be that bad, right? I think of it like a more stylish Fiat 500 Abarth.”
Stephen Elmer, news editor: Mercedes-Benz G-Class pickup
“In Australia, the G-Class can be outfitted with whatever you fancy on the back end, which means that you’re a truck bed away from having a G-Class pickup. Sure, the starting price is $119,900 (about $118,000) in Australia, but this special work version of the G-Class comes with a snorkel, bull bar, black-painted headlights and 16-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tires. The interior offers no frills and good, old-fashioned water drain plugs for when you’ve finished driving through the two feet of water that the G-Class is rated to wade through. Also, it doesn’t hurt that there are three locking differentials to receive power from the 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine.” Craig Cole, associate editor: IKCO Arisun “Choosing just one car or truck from the global vehicular smorgasbord is tough, as there are so many thought-provoking options. However, rather than select a legitimately entertaining model, I’d rather just annoy my colleagues. Accordingly, I’ve decided to go with something unusual, a true head-scratcher. I briefly considered a Russian Lada and Daihatsu Hijet, but ultimately declined since they’re simply too obvious. Instead, the deliciously obscure Arisun pickup won my affection. Manufactured by IKCO in Iran, you can think of this car-like rig as a Central-Asian version of Dan’s Holden Ute. It’s rear-wheel drive, features a five-speed manual transmission and is motivated by a 1.7-litre gasoline engine that can effortlessly whisk it to 100 km/h in just 12.7 seconds.”
Jason Siu, news editor: Honda Civic Type R
“While my fellow colleagues are choosing some very unique cars, my foreign car of choice is the Honda Civic Type R. Yes, there’s a new one coming to North America eventually, but I’m impatient! The current Civic Type R isn’t as aggressive in terms of styling as the upcoming model, but there’s a lot to love about it, especially if you grew up a Honda fanatic like me. It’s a real shame that none of the previous iterations ever made it to North America, and I surely wouldn’t mind getting my hands on the Black Edition Honda recently announced that bids the current model farewell. Of course, it would probably go straight to the body shop and get painted Championship White though — because really, every Type R should be Championship White.”