Cheaper Thrills: Alfa Spider, Ford Focus Coupe-Cabriolet & Honda Civic Type R
If we have to drive small cars, here are some cool new ones we'd like
By Editors of Motor Trend
Photography by The Manufacturer
Ever since last year's gas-price crunch, there's been a lot of talk about the potential growth of small-car sales in the U.S. market. Outside of America, small is more than beautiful; it's a way of life. While the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. is still a full-size pickup, in Europe it's a Golf-size hatchback.
Higher gas prices in Europe are just part of the story, however: The tightly packed European landscape means a big car can be a liability when negotiating narrow city streets and attempting to find somewhere to park. These European cars might be small in size, but they're big in personality and performance.
Alfa Spider
• What is it? The convertible version of the gorgeous Alfa Brera coupe.
• It's cool because: You've seen "The Graduate," right?
• Technical highlight: All-wheel drive will be an option.
• Bet you didn't know: The top of the range version is powered by a 355-horse, 3.2-liter V-6 engine made in Australia--by GM.
• Could they sell it here? Alfa plans a return to the U.S., but probably not until the next generation of this car is ready.
Ford Focus Coupe-Cabriolet
• What is it? The European Focus with a folding metal roof.
• It's cool because: It's a coupe and convertible.
• Technical highlight: The folding steel roof stows out of sight without using all the trunk space.
• Bet you didn't know: Ford had a convertible planned for the original Focus, but axed the idea to save money. Now it's the last of the European automakers to launch an affordable convertible.
• Could they sell it here? Just ask your local Ford dealer. With only Mustang and Fusion selling strongly, Ford badly needs more affordable cool cars.
Honda Civic Type R
• What is it? The bad-boy high-performance version of the European Civic.
• It's cool because: It makes the screaming-fast Civic Si coupe look soft.
• Technical highlight: Honda trimmed weight rather than boost horsepower to improve performance.
• Bet you didn't know: The Civic hatches are based on the Fit platform and have a simpler torsion-beam rear axle instead of independent rear suspension.
• Could they sell it here? No reason why not. The Civic hatch is built in left-hand drive for European markets.