2010 Geneva: Canadian passports denied

[svgallery name="2010 Geneva NOT Coming"] Story and photos by John LeBlanc GENEVA–With the continuing globalization of the auto industry, the differences between cars sold from country to country is becoming smaller each year. For example, the 2012 Ford Focus is virtually the same car, whether it's sold in Canada, China or the Canary Islands. Yet, a few automakers still keep some of their best wares from Canadian new-car buyers. And in the case of several world debuts here in Switzerland that won't be coming to Canada (immediately, at least), patience isn't a virtue, it's a pain. Alfa Romeo Guilietta When Italy's Fiat returns the Alfa Romeo brand to Canada in 2012, the new Guilietta compact (a replacement for the 147) won't be part of the initial lineup. Instead, the Italian automaker thinks Canadians would rather buy this car on a slightly wider platform, and as a Dodge. Too bad that. Alfa's new VW Golf rival promises plenty of dolce vita (a top-line, 232 hp Guilietta Quadrifoglio Verde hot hatch is in the works) and looks like a car Chrysler's Dodge dealers could sell now. Aston Martin Cygnet A Toyota iQ city car with Aston design touches inside and out, the Cygnet is an urban car to zip around congested European cities when the spouse is at the riding club with the DB9. With no changes to the mini-Toyota's 1.3-litre engine, don't expect DB9-like performance. Cygnet barely breaks 160 km/h. It will only be offered to existing British Aston owners. But in truth, Canadians may get a chance to buy it, but with a Scion badge and for between 25 and 50 per cent of the baby-Aston's estimated price of $50,000 to $80,000. Audi A1 Just as Audi denied Canadians its Euro-only 1990s A2, its newest A1 compact is also having its import documentation denied. Audi says the combination of the Mini-fighting A1's hatchback-only body style (i.e., Americans won't buy it) and made-in-Europe labour costs (i.e., Americans won't pay its expected premium prices) means we won't be seeing the smallest Audi unless the price of gas skyrockets (and stays there) again. Peugeot SR1 Concept Jumping on Geneva's performance hybrid trend, the gorgeous, almost Aston Martin Vantage-like SR1 has two strikes against it: A) The SR1's Hybrid4 system is coming to production Peugeots in 2011. And although the concept's styling hints at the brand's much-needed new styling direction, the French automaker is never going to make a luxury GT like the SR1; B) Well, there is that other small issue that Peugeot doesn't sell cars in The Great White North. Seat Ibiza ST Wagon Canadians share one commonality with European car buyers: they both love wagons. Especially if they are small and fun to drive, qualities the new Seat Ibiza ST Wagon has in litres. But Seat doesn't sell cars here. As part of the all-conquering VW Group, the Ibiza is basically a subcompact VW Polo underneath. A Mexican-made Polo sedan is allegedly coming here in some form in 2011. How hard could it be for VW to make us a Polo wagon version for Canadians, like this Seat? Vauxhall Meriva The second-generation Meriva is for those who want a minivan, but think a Mazda5 is too big. Based on the European subcompact Corsa chassis (not GM's less-expensive-to-make Korean-designed Aveo), the tall(ish) Meriva sports rear-hinged back doors that swing open toward the back of the car at an angle of nearly 90 degrees for easy access – how cool is that? There are no plans for the Brazilian-made Meriva to come here as is. But its platform may serve as a basis for a production version of the GMC Graphite concept from this year's Detroit show. Volkswagen Polo GTI If like me, you always hankered for a late-1970s Mark I VW GTI, take a look at the new Polo GTI that popped up on the German automaker's Geneva stand. One size down from big brother GTI, the sportiest Polo offers a chuckable skill set, driver-oriented cabin and near-GTI power. The 178 hp and 184 lb.-ft. of torque are pumped out from the turbo- and supercharged 1.4-litre four. With VW's excellent XDS front differential and less weight than the GTI, the spunky Polo would make Honda Fit owners cower in their garages. Feel free to join me in sending your "We Want The Polo GTI" letters, phone calls and emails to VW Canada. Right away.

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