ACROSS THE POND - Daihatsu Materia

Yes, that face does look familiar. You know a miniaturized bread van/hearse/armoured car combo when you see it. But the badge is all wrong.


This is the Scion xB, but the ad slogan is different. "You'd be crazy not to!" says Daihatsu UK. Yes; with an exclamation point.

Toyota owns Scion. Toyota took a controlling stake in Daihatsu (51.2%) in 1999. So here you have the Daihatsu Materia. Where's the L? You're guess is as good as mine. Daihatsu's are not luxurious Lexus sedans. Perhaps they felt Material would be deceving, seeing as how so little material is needed to build most Daihatsu's.

The Materia, a word which makes me smirk every time I type it, starts at £10,995 in the UK. For that price you get a 1.5L, 102bhp four-cylinder and a manual trans. The Materia Auto, as you would assume, adds an automatic transmission. Nice, thanks.

Daihatsu.co.uk's best line is as follows: "A 1.5 litre engine guarantees lively performance with economy giving 39.2 mpg (manual transmission) on the Combined Cycle with a 0 – 62 mph acceleration time of 10.8 seconds." Guarantees? Guarantees? Did they put the guarantees with the wrong subject, having intended to place it after the 'with' and a 'd' in place of the 's' on the end? I think so.

The accessory list is Scionesque in its length. Vehicular brethren are more plentiful for the Daihatsu, however. The Sirion, Terios, and Copen are itsy-bitsy in their own ways.

So, Across The Pond we went. And what did we find? An xB branded with a badge which stands for a company name most Americans can't pronounce.

VOLKSWAGEN SCIROCCO STUDIE R HONOURS NURBURGRING 24 HOURS VICTORY

In the most recent Nurburgring 24 Hours race, Volkswagen's hot new Scirocco finished first and second in their class. Hans Stuck and Carlos Sainz were driving high-performing modified Sciroccos with 321 horsepower. In honour of those victories (and those cars) Volkswagen has released photos of the impressive Scirocco Studie R. From the normal VW Scirocco's classy lines we now see a more aggressive stance with larger wheels and some actually appropriate graphics, from which Renault could learn a lesson. Oh, there's also 266 horsepower, too. 

As you'd expect from VeeDub, the direct-shift gearbox is fitted. The Italian graphics are applicable thanks to the vehicle's debut at the Bologna motor show. Read more about the Scirocco in this GoodCarBadCar.net Top 5. Strip away some of the auto show glitz and you likely have the Scirocco R20T.

FORD KUGA GETS POWER BUMP

Another one of those Ford Motor Company vehicles you can't have, in addition to the excellent Euro Focus; Mondeo; and S-Max, the Ford Kuga represents all that Ford's North American-market vehicles aren't. Cool, hip, trendy, efficient, fun. If it's a positive characteristic for a possible American-branded Honda CR-V competitor, the Kuga offers it.

Well, take a notch off the efficiency meter for this post, but only slightly. See, Ford is suggesting that the new 2.5L five-cylinder in the Kuga makes for a "performance flagship". While certainly more economical than a V8 Explorer, this Kuga will most assuredly be the least economical of all Kugas currently on offer. On the other hand, with 197 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, the Kuga should be plenty fun to drive. 

Surely UK auto scribblers will deride anybody who buys a taller vehicle and doesn't opt for diesel. We, if given the opportunity to buy a Kuga at all, wouldn't likely be offered a diesel derivative and the thought of a handsome little urban crawler with 236 lb-ft of torque would be lovely regardless of the 2.0L turbodiesel and its 36.6 mpg available Across The Pond.

As you'd expect, a basic Kuga is less expensive than a well-equipped Focus saloon sedan in the UK but can rise steadily. The Kuga 2.5L with a 5-speed automatic? Think 4-cylinder BMW 3-Series diesel, and you'll get the pricing picture.

NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE: CITROEN BERLINGO MULTISPACE & 60 PHOTOS

The possible sighting of this vehicle in North America is so verily impossible that I dare suggest it is unimaginable. Citroen hasn't competed on in Canada or the USA for decades and apart from its PSA partner, Peugeot, selling scooters in the near future, nothing Citroenesque appears to be forthcoming.

So take a minute to enjoy the unimaginable. I mean, try to imagine it.... just for a second. Sitting in your Camry at a red light, a two-box 'car' with strangely-contoured windows pulls up beside you. The driver is wearing a beret and his kerchief is large underneath a velvet blazer. (The windows are huge - you can see the blazer.) You're so terribly freaked out by this heretofore unseen vehicle that you prod the throttle a little, hoping to show this dude a thing or two. He looks your way and smirks; not at your temerity but at your wastefulness. Then it is he who remembers that, sacrebleu, gasoline is only $1.50/gallon in parts of Kansas and those crazy Americans can be as wasteful as they want.

(Read other Across The Pond articles here)

Finally, you roast him away from the lights. The best-selling car in America is available with 268 horsepower after all. He has 4.75 ponies on his side. I jest, he probably has 90 bhp under the hood. Nevertheless, your problem is that you absolutely murdered something in a drag race so resoundingly that you don't even know what it is you beat. The beret-wearing dude was driving a Citroen Berlingo Multispace.

This Citroen shares much with the C4 Picasso, a car The Good Car Guy labelled as one of the Top 5 cars for the next Pope-mobile. The new Berlingo Multispace is slightly larger than before (24cm longer, 8cm wider) which makes the BM even better at what it does best: make space for people, their pets, and their stuff. It suits some consumers' needs to a T and does so extraordinarly cheaply. "It's a good car, the Berlingo. And in these difficult times, it makes even more sense than usual," Jeremy Clarkson said. In fact, the Berlingo Multispace is even a bit fun to drive they say. The full 60 photo gallery is below.

CAR PCOTY

British car magazine, CAR, whose editors proclaim on the cover that they offer the definitive view, has named their Performance Car of the Year.

If you're looking for consistently sound opinion, CAR may not be the place for you. Once known and perhaps even renowned for a magazine that centred on dynamic peformance, CAR has evolved into what seems to be a car-as-a-conversation-piece style magazine, with none other than Piers Morgan contributing.

Nevertheless, the PCOTY feature is certainly suggested reading. The Audi R8 was joined in the final three by the BMW M3 and Honda's Civic Type R. The Audi overcame some high-strung group members (Caterham 7 R400, Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, Porsche 911 GT3 RS) and the M3 and Civic didn't put up enough of a challenge.

Having already battled the Renault Clio F1 Team R27, Vauxhall Corsa VXR, and a Mini Cooper with Works package, the CTR was relegated in the final round despite obvious credentials. "A great hot hatch.... but not quite torquey or communicative enough to feel really special in this company," said the judges.

And the M3? CAR says: "Because, as good as it is, it doesn't move the M3 game on massively. Yes, it's quicker than the old car, more refined, practical and as sideways as ever, but we expect all those things from the M3."

So the R8 takes the crown. One paragraph by Chris Chilton makes very clear the overall reasoning for Audi's win. "And then I pointed the R8 home and knew we picked the right car..... The icy white markings on the dials glowed back from the dash, the Bang and Olufsen hi-fi murmured quietly, and I tried to figure out how this car costs only £76,000. It's still a lot of money in anyone's reckoning, but not for a car of this calibre. In the context of an M3 that costs £50K, a Lamborghini that shares many of the R8's parts and costs over three times as much, and a Porsche that costs £94K but can't be driven in the rain, the R8 easily cements its place as a worthy winner."

In order of their lap times around the Cadwell Park circuit (as driven by British Touring car great Matt Neal), here are CAR's candidates and a brief summary by CAR and the inevitable GoodCarBadCar take as well.

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PORSCHE 911 GT3 RS: "Even Neal thought it was too hot to handle; naturally we wanted to marry it." GCBC says: "A regular GT3 is enough 911+, the RS adds way too much cost for way too little improvement."

CATERHAM 7 R400: "Like being hardwired into the tarmac; if lapping circuits is your thing, nothing beats it." GCBC says: "Proof that a little less weight will do you good."

LAMBORGHINI SUPERLEGGERA: "Couldn't beat the GT3 on the road but was even more exciting on track." GCBC says: "Amazing that extreme examples of extreme cars can face such competition now, such as the GT3 RS, Ferrari 430 Scuderia, and 911 GT2."

AUDI R8: As happy chasing Lambo's on the track as tailing eVextra's on the M25. Brilliant." GCBC says: "Audi now has more than power, looks, and Quattro on its side; the R8 is a pure driving experience."

BMW M3: "We still don't like the steering but what fun - and what an engine!" GCBC says: "The original M3 had a four fewer cylinders and a lot less luxury....."

SUBARU IMPREZA RB320: "Last of the saloon Impreza's divided opinion. Mighty fast but hard work." GCBC says: "Showcasing passion that may never be revealed on the new WRX's or STi's."

NISSAN 350Z: "Quick, but far from the sideways here at Cadwell its roundabout antics suggest." GCBC says: "The Z, as usual, laps with the big dogs for a substantially smaller cash outlay and looks good doing it."

AUDI S5: "Old style Audi - safe and competent but not fun on track; A5 TDI better on road." GCBC says: "Not fun on track, true. But stinking fast and heart-wrenchingly beautiful."

VAUXHALL VXR8: "Bargain V8 saloon better on road than on track." GCBC says: "What was CAR expecting? I'm expecting the Pontiac G8 to be very good indeed."


HONDA CIVIC TYPE R: "Almost racer-like in its responses but amazing VTEC engine needs another 40 bhp." GCBC says: "Needs a communicative chassis and steering before it needs another 40 horsepower, but it looks sweet."

RENAULT CLIO 197 F1 TEAM R27: "A proper oldschool hot hatch and great at Cadwell; but hardwork on the road." GCBC says: "If the weight remained equal to that of the old Clio, then the long-titled new Clio would be in with a shout."

MINI COOPER S WORKS: "Great to look at but minimal power increase from Works kit and poor under braking." GCBC says: "Pray the Mini brand doesn't go soft. It hasn't... yet."

VAUXHALL CORSA VXR: "Torquey engine and smooth ride great on road but VXR outclassed on circuit." GCBC says: "Have you seen this little sucker go 'round the Nurburgring?"

GT-R - UK v Japan

With Nissan GT-R prices in Japan starting at the equivalent of about £34,000, Brits are wondering why on earth they'd buy an officially imported example from Nissan. The GT-R will likely cost over £60K in old Blighty, and after importing costs, a Japanese example wouldn't cost you much more than £45,000 or so.

Care for more Nissan GT-R articles?

What does Nissan UK have to say? Well, not only must Britons wait till 2009 for their first GT-R's to arrive; not only will they pay through the nose for the AWD, turbocharged V6 911-competitor, not only will they have but 300 to divide amongst themselves each year, but they must also wait for its high-dollar arrival because of the grey-import's poor radio reception.

Aha. We all knew that each and every buyer of Nissan's ultimate halo car was purchasing for one reason and one reason only: terrific AM/FM stability. Losing out on such a necessary feature (in a car that reaches 60mph in 3.5seconds and tops out on the exciting side of 190mph thanks to 473 horsepower) would be an incalculable loss.

FORD FOCUS RS WILL TOP 164 MPH, 264 KMH

As if the Ford Focus ST wasn't impressing Europeans enough, Ford's upping of the ante with the Focus RS is manifesting more evidence than ever that the RS will be a high-flyer. 0-60mph will come up in just under six seconds, Ford says. It'll likely be less than 5.5 if traction isn't an issue, The Good Car Guy believes. Also possibleis that on your next trip down the autobahn, a green Focus RS will cruise past at 164 mph, about 264 kmh. This is a Ford Focus, folks. Wow.

Read more about the Focus RS here and check out a full picture gallery

296 horsepower through the front wheels could be considered a problem. Ford hopes that it won't be because of its RevoKnuckle technology that Ford thinks will rule out torque steer. Remember the last Focus RS with substantially less power (in the 212 range) struggled mightily putting the power down. Of course, that must be put in context with the current Focus ST which has over 220 horsepower and negates the effects of large throttle openings and steering wheel motions.

Whether or not the Focus RS handles take-off well, cruising altitude will shove all the restricted 155mph German coupes and sedans down a rung.

evo SUMMARIES 2 - ACP

For part 1 of this special evo edition of Across The Pond, follow this link. British car mag evo, whose thrust is 'The Thrill of Driving', recently wrote the following regarding the following:

Mitsubishi Evo X: "After a low-speed recce alongside one of Mitsubishi's testers, it's our turn to drive the 1.9-mile circuit. I opt for the full-on High-Performance car with TC SST, and on the tester's advice select the Super Sport shift mode. It's immediately impressive, each pull of the right-hand [addle (made from magnesium, incidentally) delivering a smooth and almost instantaneous upshift, with just enough of a push in the back to let you know the gear's been engaged." - Richard Meaden


Porsche 911 GT2: "As you'd hope, the GT2 also has the GT3's satisfying feeling of quality, not just in terms of tight build and underlying structural integrity but in the precision and feel of its controls...... Brake pedal feel is superb too, and with no hint of lost motion at the top of the pedal yet a progression that allows you to measure light and heavy stops effortlessly. The ride is notable calm too..... The kick in the back is sensational..... It's a supercar in concentrated form and from this perspective £130,000 doesn't seem expensive." - John Barker


Ferrari 430 Scuderia: "It all pivots around 3500rpm, the engine speed at which the exhaust valves open (you're going to notice this, everyone within a radius of three miles is going to notice it; think of F430 re-mixed through Motorhead's PA system) and the transmission shift program switches from the easy-does-it to let-'em-have-it. When this happens, you instinctively grip the wheel a little tighter because, for a few moments at least, it seems impossible to pull back. You want to hear more of that astonishing engine note, and your brain scrabbles to sync with the sudden shift to an F1 metabolism. The intoxication is nerve-gas scary." - David Vivian

External links:
Evo
911 GT2
Scuderia

evo SUMMARIES - ATP

British car mag evo, whose thrust is 'The Thrill of Driving', recently wrote the following regarding the subjects ↓ and GoodCarBadCar showcases them in this special Across The Pond:

(Fiat) Abarth Grande Punto: ".... But now there is a road car, the Abarth Grande Punto, and it's being displayed in this flagship showroom where we're also about to settle down for the press conference. Although clearly based on a Fiat Grande Punto, you won't find a single Fiat badge on it. There are scorpions on the wheels, a shield on the bonnet, a shield and tricolour lightning bolt on each flank, more shields inside, but not a single four-letter word beginning with 'F'...... the engine is much better than you'd expect a 1.4 to be. It's remarkably unturbo-like and, whilst it needs to be kept on the boil, it sounds good and pulls strongly between three- and five-thousand rpm." - Henry Catchpole


Mini One: "With all the brouhaha surrounding the Minis in the upper echelons of the range it's easy to forget about the One, the 1.4L entry-level model..... When it's all said and done, it's hard to knock the One. It's an honest, no-frills tool that delivers on all levels. So unless you're after a full-blown hot-hatch, our advice is to keep it cheap and keep it cheerful. After all, it's the way Minis used to be." - Roger Green


Audi A4 3.2 Quattro S-Line: "The tuneful V6 makes short work of straights and slow-moving traffic, while high grip levels and tight body control make for impressive composure when you up the pace.... For all its talents, though, the A4 feels slightly inert from behind the wheel. It;s undeniably capable, combining agility and pace, but the whole experience is very businesslike..... Don't despair though, because it's an improvement on the old car across the board, which means the legend of the RS4 is in safe hands." - Ross Pinnock

External links:
Punto
Mini
New A4

DESIRING OLD BENZ M-CLASS STUFF... FROM KOREA... WITH A DIESEL?

Drawing crowds has not been a SsangYong forte. In fact, SsangYong's Rodius managed to disperse gathering crowds with the power of a Pontiac Aztek.

Apparently, however, SsangYong's stand at the British Motor Show was a collector of people. They were all coming to see this, the SsangYong Rexton R-Line. 22-inch wheels; lowering springs; sports exhaust; and upgraded Nappa leather inside combine to separate the R-Line from its lesser Rexton brethren.

(Click here for other SsangYong stuff)

186 horsepower and 296 lb-ft of torque are sent to all four wheels from the 2.7L five-cylinder diesel. SsangYong has gone the Bentley route, where in press releases, they make mention that alternative paint colours and interior leathers can be chosen - "anything is possible".  Equipment is plentiful with stability control, ABS, parking sensors, cruise control, auto lights and wipers, side airbags, electric folding door mirrors and heated seats. 

And in case you doubt the SsangYong's credibility, be sure to remember that much of its technology comes from a certain German manufacturer with whom the Korean company has a technology partner: Mercedes-Benz.

GORDON BROWN TAKES A LOOK AT THE THINK

Fully homologated for European Union roads, the Think City is 100% electric and 100% ugly. That didn't stop Gordon Brown and his Minister for Business and Secretary of State for Transport from having a look-see at the Norwegian city car.

Think bodies are recycled plastic. 65 mph is possible, although the range is only 112 miles. Typical electrical sockets can restore full power to the battery. Airbags and anti-lock brakes are present and accounted for. Beauty, unfortunately, was left in the fjords.

One might wonder if the Think City stands a chance at upsetting typical parliamentary rides like the Jaguar XJ and Toyota Prius in London. Regardless, Monday's introduction of Prime Minister Brown with the Think City happened to time well with a summit on business where electric vehicles - as a means of mass transportation - was a topic of discussion. Think Citys will be on sale in the UK in 2009.

SEAT IBIZA WINS DUTCH COMPACT CAR OF THE YEAR

Surely you're familiar with the marketing concept. Release a hot new car. Watch sales come your way. Time goes on. Hot new car ages. Tell everybody this once-hot new car won dozens of international awards in its day. See a few more sales come your way before end-of-cycle.

Well, one of those awards may well be the CCoty from the Netherlands. Yes, the Dutch like their compact cars, and apparently they like them with Spanish flair. Beating out Ford's excellent new Fiesta, the Mazda 2, a beautiful Alfa Romeo known as the Mito, Dacia's Sandero and the not-at-all-widely acclaimed Chevrolet Aveo, Seat's 2009 Ibiza becomes the Compact Car of the Year in the Netherlands.

(Read all Seat-related GCBC posts here)

Say the deciders: "The Ibiza is one step ahead of its rivals, and the difference can also be seen in the interior, where passenger compartment comfort is second to none." 

For those not aware of Seat's background, the Spanish automaker is a Volkswagen subsidiary. The Ibiza is about one size down on the Volkswagen Rabbit that we receive in North America, sharing architecture with the VW Polo and Skoda Fabia. The Ibiza in this CCoty contest was an 85-bhp 1.4L model. Obviously diesels are a popular choice, and horsepower can be as high as 180 in the Cupra model. Three and five doors are available.

Up one rung from the Ibiza is the Leon. The handsome Alteo and awkward Toledo seem to attack a similar market. The Alhambra is basically the same vehicle as Volkswagen Sharan and the Ford Galaxy. The Seat Exeo will be at the top of the rung. With the introduction of the new Audi A4, the Exeo is basically the older A4 reincarnated as a Spaniard instead of a German.

SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI 20TH ANNIVERSARY - All 300 To Remain In Japan

For about $4,700 extra more than the basic WRX STi, Subaru will offer 300 Impreza WRX STi 20th Anniversary editions to its domestic market customers. All 300 are supposed to stay in Japan, but don't be surprised if somebody like Litchfield Imports manages to sneak a couple out.

Remember the criticism when the basic Impreza was first introduced? Then the WRX looked kinda soft, as well. The STi is mighty aggressive but has undertones of weakness. Well, this 20th Anniversary special is body-coloured in all the right places and matte black wherever matte black looks best. Power isn't improved, but new shocks and coil springs will supposedly bump the handling up a notch, provide added steering feel, and offer a more compliant ride. 

Mind you, the 304-bhp engine isn't the same as the powerplant found under the hoods of North American-market STi Subies. Where we see a 2.5L four-pot, the JDM car is back-to-WRC-roots in its 2.0L format. 30 pictures are in the gallery below.

LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO LP560-4 FOR ITALIAN POLIZIA - 20 PICTURES

I know exactly what you're thinking: apparently the Italian troopers were insatiable. The regular Gallardo wasn't good enough? In 2004, a Lamborghini Gallardo began a stint in the police service with tasks that - generally speaking - weren't related to tracking down high-octane speeders. Transporting organs for transplants was one of the Gallardo's more likely tasks, in theory. 

That first Gallardo has almost 88,000 miles on its odometer. A second Gallardo used in more northern areas since '05 has almost clocked almost 70,000 miles.

Check out the older Gallardo along with other wild police vehicles here 

and here along with police vehicle suggestions here

Apparently Lamborghini and the polizia believed more everything was required. The upgraded LP560-4 features 59 more horses than the original Gallardo with fewer pounds to propel. Thirty officers are trained in driving the Gallardo as well as in the use of its medical equipment. Thus, police personnel accustomed to Fiat Bravos won't be seen steering the LP560-4 off a cliff at 200mph.

NEW CITROEN C5 - A Dud No Longer

In 2006, the Citroen C4 was named the World Car Design of the Year. Meanwhile, in other corners of the showroom, (hopefully tucked well away) was the larger C5. The C5 appeared a few years before the C4 and appeared more deserving of a Buick badge circa 1995. Dull and inoffensive to the degree that it was offensive.

Then along came the C6, Citroen's take on the larger executive car market. The C6, with its concave rear window and odd curves, is bound to offend some. For those tired of the typical German and Japanese luxomobiles, the Citroen makes a great choice. It was, and still is, a striking machine.

Yet tucked away in the back corner was one of Citroen's more mainstream competitors, the C5. Dull and inoffensive to the degree that it was, indeed, offensive. Slow, too.

There's a new C5 coming, and it's nearly as striking as the C6; perhaps equally so. It's curious to think that Citroen's PSA partner, Peugeot, designed the disturbing 407 and its Dodge Ram-worthy grille. Behold and believe. T

The new C5 can be seen below (wagon above), with the older version making what we hope is its last GoodCarBadCar appearance below the new. Oh, there'll be new engines and some great tech, including Citroen's Hydractive self-leveling suspension. At this point I care not one whit. Citroen's rarely rank high on the thrill-o-meter and besides, they're not available on this side of the Atlantic. But for those of you in France, give my congratulations to Citroen for putting the chic back in the C5.

2009 VAUXHALL INSIGNIA.... AND ALL ITS ENGINES - PLUS 77 PHOTOS

You'll know it - or something like it - in the future as a Saturn and you've known it before as an Opel. Pictured here is the Vauxhall Insignia from General Motors' British outpost. As a replacement for the long-running Vectra nameplate, GM hopes the Insignia will reignite some desire for mainstream large cars in the UK, a segment that is struggling to keep up with small MPVs from mainstream brands and low-powered sedans saloons from BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz.

Plans to bring a vehicle like this, thought at one time to be the core of the brand, back to a place of significance include a range of engines wider than the gap between Alaska and Russia. Ahem.

Starting out with diesels, Vauxhall will start the Insignia with 128-bhp and 158-bhp powerplants, both of which surely make up for their horsepower problem in the torque department and at the fuel pump. A 187-bhp mill will be added to make a diesel trio sometime next spring, a few months after the late '08 launch.

If 'petrol' is your fuel of choice, engines ranging in power from 138-256 horsepower will be available. Only that 256-bhp V6 comes standard with an automatic. 

Highlights from this engine lineup include a 1.8L gas engine that weighs 20% less than its predecessor; a 2.0L turbo with 217 horsepower; and diesels with a range of 750 miles. The turbocharged gasoline models are available with all-wheel drive. 20-inch wheels will be an option. Yes, you did just read that 20-inch wheels will be an option. This is the Vauxhall Insignia and not a Cadillac Escalade, but yes, 20-inch wheels will be an option.

Why does this matter to ye who are not Across The Pond? For one thing, there's the Saturn connection. Secondly, there's the here's-what-you're-missing factor in an age when GM is trying desperately to avoid sinking in a market where swimming is very difficult. 

ACROSS THE POND - Opel & Vauxhall Corsa

You're deep in the heart of Kansas. You have long, flat, empty roads. You want to go fast, man. You are a hop, skip, and a jump from great mountain roads in Colorado. Arkansas' back roads are not far at all.

And you're concerned that GoodCarBadCar's recommended cars from Across The Pond, though good and fine, are just not offering the juice you need. 100bhp from a small Fiat is plenty fun, but we're talking about empty roads. Let's have some fun. Suzuki's Swift Sport is very unlike any Swift we've ever known.

But c'mon - this country was built on Z28's and Mustang GT's. How can The Good Car Guy expect you to make such sacrifices? I mean, hey - oil is expensive; but you're living high on the hog. Preserve the oil, sure. Just don't starve me of it.

I hear ya. Vauxhall and Opel are - rather, were - not renowned for their hot hatchbacks. Vauxhall, being General Motors British brand and Opel the European GM outlet, built cars for straight lines with very little excitement. Then along came the Astra VXR. (We'll stick to Vauxhall talk now, Opel would call it the OPC but I don't speak German.)

Vauxhall's Astra VXR is wild, stupid, crazy fast. There is a lot of power flowing through two wheels, and those two wheels are also tasked with steering the car. It also looks like a handsome version of a very angry European hatchback. We'll see this car on our side of the pond as the Saturn Astra, with 100 fewer horsepower.

I digress. The Astra VXR sounds like it fits the bill for Kansas boy who heads to Colorado and Arkansas for roads more worthy than his straight lines. Realistically, if other options include the Fiat Panda 100HP and Suzuki Swift Sport, that Astra is thousands of £ too expensive.

Move on down the ladder, my friend. If you're willing go up two notches from the Panda, but just one from the Swift Sport, and come down a couple steps from the Astra VXR, a £15,625 Corsa VXR is your's. Oh, forgot to mention. You can't buy the Corsa in Kansas, just like you can't buy the Panda or Swift. For that reason, GoodCarBadCar is supplying the video below. Ya ain't never gonna see one of these VXR's in action - and GCBC considered it important viewing.

Pricing for this Corsa VXR is inching toward the domain of Mini Cooper S. The Corsa is unlikely to be recommended by many over-and-above that other Brit, but with 189 horsepower; 140mph capability; plenty of equipment; and modern sporting looks, the Corsa is at least worth watching.

INFINITI EUROPE READY TO SELL

Although it's only a half-lineup - lacking the jumbo SUV that is the QX56, the M35, M45 and all-wheel drive derivatives -  and though the Infiniti dealership network represents less than two dozen outlets, Infiniti is ready for Europe. Alive for two decades in other parts of the world, most notably North America, Infiniti's most recent successes bode well for this European adventure, more of which you can read about here.

The lineup is pictured below. At its grandest, the FX50 is a wild and value-driven alternative to a Porsche Cayenne Turbo. The lesser-powered but still capable FX37 should do the trick for many buyers. The EX37 is a true crossover; stuck halfway between wagon and SUV. The G37 coupe and sedan are two of Infiniti's strongest products, taking the fight to the German trio from Mercedes-Benz (C-Class), Audi (A4), and BMW (3-Series) quite ably.

Click here for all Infiniti-related posts from GoodCarBadCar.net

Three dealers in Switzerland, five in Spain, two in the Netherlands, five in Italy, and one each in Poland; Estonia; Belgium; Bulgaria; France; and Greece will serve potential customers. Many of whom, I might add, will be searching for diesels that they will not find. Problems establishing dealers in the UK will delay Infinitis's launch there until 2009.

ACROSS THE POND - Suzuki Swift Sport

For those Americans who are unaware of their surroundings, Suzuki of Canada sells a version of the Chevrolet Aveo called the Swift+. (Pontiac offers the Wave - identical.) Suzuki deprives all North Americans of plenty things; fortunately for us, in some cases. But, in light of rising fuel prices; smart fortwo's entrance into the market; and the Fiat Panda 100HP only just shown here on GoodCarBadCar, we ought to know a little bit about the real Suzuki Swift.

And when it comes to The Good Car Guy @ GoodCarBadCar, the Swift Sport is most interesting. The price has risen above and beyond that of the Panda 100HP, but we're still below that of basic Mini Cooper's and a fair £3,000 below cars like the Euro-Civic and Focus. Small budget? Don't wanna bother with a car if you can't have fun? True enough, there ain't much available on our side of the pond, but Across The Pond, you can have a lot of fun with a little cash.

Swift Sport's are decently equipped inside, and under the hood you'll fire up a 1.6L, 125 bhp 4-cylinder. That little bit of power has to deal with a scant 2431 pounds. Whoop-dee-ding. The Swift Sport really is sportacious. Besides, with power windows and locks and mirrors; air-con; and audio controls on the steering wheel, what want ye more? Watch the clip - if you're in North American it'll be a while before you see a Suzuki Swift Sport in action, if ever. Enjoy the lingo.

ACROSS THE POND - Fiat Panda 100HP

Although pandas are more commonly linked with Australia, the automotive world is indelibly linking the word 'panda' with Italy. Fiat, now firmly back from the brink of disaster, has returned to its small car roots. GoodCarBadCar has given the wee Panda some attention before, but because such a large portion of GCBC readers will never see the world's best performance-car bargains, it is expedient that GoodCarBadCar finds them in action for you. There's more to come, but first check out the Fiat Panda 100HP.

Read about other Panda appearances at GCBC Top 5

Not long ago, American car consumers were frightened by vehicles which had bhp ratings below 100. In 2007, that same syndrome almost rings true of cars with horsepower under 190 or 200. Forget that, would'ya? Here are two reasons that thinking is misguided: the Panda is very lightweight; extra power necessitates more weight. Weight and power equals increased fuel consumption. Bad. Reason numero dos: the Panda is really, really cheap. We're talking £6000 below Mini Cooper, equivalent to Honda Fit kind of prices. Don't complain - just watch the clip.