Paris show cars we should import

BRIAN EARLY FOR THE TORONTO STAR

Fiat's cheeky retro 500 is just one of many European models on display at this year's Paris auto show that Brian Early thinks should be imported.

Brian Early

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

PARIS–For anyone who truly likes cars, attending a foreign auto show can be a lot like being on a salad diet while watching someone else enjoy a well-prepared steak dinner. With a wedge of chocolate-drizzled cheesecake for dessert.

In photos: Desirable imports at Paris show

It's not that what's on offer at home is bad; it's that much of what's available here is so enduringly cool, or drop-dead beautiful.

Granted, some things get lost in translation — Peugeot's 1007 sliding door—equipped minicar is a great idea, and might put an end to door dings forever, but it looks pretty ungainly (actually, several of Peugeot's models could be described similarly; their cars are either gorgeous or, well, not).

As well, the type of leisurely acceleration that is often tolerated here in the name of cost and fuel economy simply wouldn't fly back home. Fortunately, most Euro models have hot versions that would work just fine in lead-footed Canada.

Although there are a few almost comically homely cars here, it's hard not to look at the new Renault Laguna coupe (whose rear quarter view contains more than a little Aston Martin), the Peugeot 308 CC hardtop convertible or the Citroen C4 and C6 (pictures do no justice to the C6's could-only-be-French presence) and wish that these carmakers would once again grace our shores with their boldly styled creations.

Alfa Romeo's return to the New World has been promised for a while now, with Maserati, Mini or possibly even Chrysler dealers rumoured to be serving as outlets. The recent Transport Canada harmonization of Canadian bumper standards with those in the U.S. and European Union should allow Alfas to keep their unique and sexy front-end styling. This is a brand that manages to make even a station wagon look hot and sultry.

While we're importing from the Fiat Group (Alfa's parent company), how about throwing in the cheeky little Fiat 500? Suzuki and Fiat jointly manufacture the SX4 in Hungary, with Fiat selling it as the Sedici, so why couldn't Suzuki return the favour and bring us the 500, or even the cleanly styled Grande Punto hatchback?

For that matter, it'd be nice if the manufacturers that already sell cars in Canada would offer us some of the models they currently deny our market, like VW's cool, angry-looking Scirocco, the angular Honda Civic hatchbacks or even more "pedestrian" models like Suzuki's crisply styled Swift, which bears no relation to the more generic GM/Daewoo-sourced Swift+ that it sells in Canada.

The new Colt hatchback that Mitsubishi launched looks pretty good too, particularly in two-door Ralliart trim.

Now that I've seen the menu, I'd really like to be able to order from it.

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