Unless you live somewhere without internet - in which case, how are you reading this article? - you probably know that the automotive market in the US is very different from overseas. Europe, in particular, has many models that aren't sold in the US, likely because their sales would be too low to justify the cost of exporting them. We've come up with a list of ten new cars from Europe that aren't sold in the US, that we would love to drive.
Audi RS4 Avant
One of the most commonly known facts about American car buyers is that they hate wagons. American buyers think that crossovers and SUVs are more practical, and sedans are better looking. Perhaps this is why Audi decided to give us the RS5 coupe rather than the RS4 Avant. The RS4 shares the same 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 444 horsepower, but with the added practicality of a wagon. Audi partially made it up to us with the similarly practical RS5 Sportback, but some wounds will never heal.
Mercedes-AMG C63 Wagon
Like the RS5, the Mercedes C63 AMG is available in the US as a coupe, as well as a sedan and convertible. Unfortunately, the estate version is not sold in the US. The more powerful, AWD E63 wagon is sold in the US, but we'd still love to have the C63 wagon with its tire-burning RWD setup. We will get the GLC 63 SUV, but that will also be AWD only.
Ford Fiesta ST
Another common hatred in the US is small hot hatchbacks. American buyers are obsessed with SUVs, which is why we can no longer have excellent cars like the new Ford Fiesta ST. We did receive the Fiesta ST for a few glorious years, but the all-new three-cylinder model won't be sold in the US. In fact, the Fiesta, Focus, and Fusion will all be killed off to make room for SUVs. The fun Fiesta is dead, and all we have left is the less impressive EcoSport.
Volkswagen Polo and Up!
The Volkswagen Golf is one of the few hatchbacks that sells well in the US, but VW has never sold either of its smaller hatchbacks, the Polo and Up!. That's quite a shame, because the Polo GTI and Up GTI both look like fun hot hatchbacks that we'd enjoy. The Polo GTI is powered by 2.0-liter turbo-four producing 197 hp. The smaller Up GTI sports a 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbo with 114 hp. Neither is a powerhouse, but both look extremely fun to drive.
Peugeot 208 GTI
The GTI name has become synonymous with the VW Golf, but other European models also use the name. The Peugeot 208 GTI is yet another small hot hatchback that we don't get in the US. In fact, we don't get any French cars. The 208 is around the same size as the Fiesta, and the GTI version is powered by a 1.6-liter turbo-four producing 205 hp.
Hyundai i30 N
Hyundai showed off its first ever N model with the i30 N hatchback. Unfortunately, while that car has already been available in Europe, we have to wait for the arrival of the Veloster N. We like the styling of the Veloster N, but wish Hyundai would import the more practical i30 N to sell alongside it.
Citroen C4 Cactus
Since SUVs are so prevalent in the US, only one has made our list: the Citroen C4 Cactus. The Cactus hasn't made our list because it is in any way sporty, we just dig its funky looks. This mini SUV's party piece is the unique "Airbumps" on the doors, which are designed to protect the car from dents in parking lots and make it look more like an actual cactus.
Lotus Exige Sport 410
Among the three sports cars on this list, only one comes from a manufacturer that currently sells in the US. Lotus used to sell the Exige in the US, but had to stop once the car's airbag exemption ran out. This is a shame, because the latest Lotus Exige Sport 410 packs a 410-hp supercharged V6 engine with a curb weight of only 2,300 pounds.
Alpine A110
Among the French cars on our list, none is more tantalizing than the Alpine A110. This mid-engine sports car is powered by a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine with 250 hp. If it was sold in the US, it would make a great rival for the Alfa Romeo 4C and the Porsche 718 Cayman.
TVR Griffith
While many cars don't make it to the US because they wouldn't sell in great numbers, some don't cross the pond because they are truly dangerous. TVR cars have always had a reputation for offering drivers a white-knuckle ride, but the new Griffith looks like a very interesting sports car. It's powered by a tuned version of the Mustang's 5.0-liter V8, making 500 hp. There is a small chance that this car will sell in the US, but we won't get our hopes up.
