Missed Gems: European Cars We Wish Made It to the U.S.

Sent: May 19, 2024

Staff Picks: The Coolest European Cars We Didn't Get In The States

The United States offers a near-unparalleled space to be an automotive enthusiast. With some of the lowest gas prices on the planet, an enormous amount of aftermarket companies, and an abundance of available models to choose from, it’s genuinely tough to beat what we offer. Unfortunately, our positives are met with some negatives—mainly in the form of government regulations and general consumer purchasing habits.

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The Definitive Guide To Haldex AWD: Is It True All-Wheel-Drive?

The advent of all-wheel-drive in passenger cars reshaped how automakers designed every vehicle they made, whether pedestrian or performance. Audi paved the way with their quattro and rewrote the rally rulebook simultaneously, leading every manufacturer to develop their own system or seek one out. Haldex Traction, a subsidiary of Haldex, was the owner of an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential patent that, when placed in line with the driveline, could offer all-wheel-drive on demand. By the mid-nineties, Volvo had instituted the Haldex design, with many more manufacturers to follow in the coming years.

How To Complete A Volkswagen Mk7 GTI Turbocharger Upgrade (IS38 Turbo Upgrade)

The MK7 Volkswagen GTI is arguably the best daily driver for the average enthusiast. It features a great chassis, plenty of power, very good fuel mileage, and plenty of room to haul around your stuff. The optional Performance Pack ups the power and ads a limited-slip differential, among other improvements. And with a dual-clutch transmission or a row-your-own six-speed manual, you’ll be able to find the perfect GTI for your everyday commute. The 217-227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque the GTI offers are plenty enough to get yourself in trouble around town. However, wind it out, and you may find that the stock turbo falls off at the top end, and rightfully so. VW has always designed the car as an everyday machine, so they fit the seventh-generation GTI with a turbo that packs a great mid-range punch for getting through traffic and tight places. So how can you make your GTI even better? Try more power!

The Definitive Guide To The Porsche 996 M96 Engines

Porsche had Le Mans-sized shoes to fill with its first fully-water-cooled 911 engine. Replacing the legendary air-cooled, two-valve, single-overhead-camshaft flat-six was a water-cooled engine with double the valves and camshafts. The new engine, dubbed the M96, made more power than any air-cooled engine while significantly more fuel-efficient. Sure, it wasn’t as characterful as the air-cooled, but it did its job, helping the 996 retain its status as a benchmark sports car, albeit with some potential problems.

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Staff Picks: The Coolest European Cars We Didn't Get In The States The United States offers a near-unparalleled space to be an automotive enthusiast. With some of the lowest gas prices on the planet, an enormous amount of aftermarket companies, and an abundance of available models to choose from, it’s genuinely tough to beat what we offer. Unfortunately, our positives are met with some negatives—mainly in the form of government regulations and general consumer purchasing habits. Read more » The Definitive Guide To Haldex AWD: Is It True All-Wheel-Drive? The advent of all-wheel-drive in passenger cars reshaped how automakers designed every vehicle they made, whether pedestrian or performance. Audi paved the way with their quattro and rewrote the rally rulebook simultaneously, leading every manufacturer to develop their own system or seek one out. Haldex Traction, a subsidiary of Haldex, was the owner of an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential patent that, when placed in line with the driveline, could offer all-wheel-drive on demand. By the mid-nineties, Volvo had instituted the Haldex design, with many more manufacturers to follow in the coming years. Read more » How To Complete A Volkswagen Mk7 GTI Turbocharger Upgrade (IS38 Turbo Upgrade) The MK7 Volkswagen GTI is arguably the best daily driver for the average enthusiast. It features a great chassis, plenty of power, very good fuel mileage, and plenty of room to haul around your stuff. The optional Performance Pack ups the power and ads a limited-slip differential, among other improvements. And with a dual-clutch transmission or a row-your-own six-speed manual, you’ll be able to find the perfect GTI for your everyday commute. The 217-227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque the GTI offers are plenty enough to get yourself in trouble around town. However, wind it out, and you may find that the stock turbo falls off at the top end, and rightfully so. VW has always designed the car as an everyday machine, so they fit the seventh-generation GTI with a turbo that packs a great mid-range punch for getting through traffic and tight places. So how can you make your GTI even better? Try more power! Read more » The Definitive Guide To The Porsche 996 M96 Engines Porsche had Le Mans-sized shoes to fill with its first fully-water-cooled 911 engine. Replacing the legendary air-cooled, two-valve, single-overhead-camshaft flat-six was a water-cooled engine with double the valves and camshafts. The new engine, dubbed the M96, made more power than any air-cooled engine while significantly more fuel-efficient. Sure, it wasn’t as characterful as the air-cooled, but it did its job, helping the 996 retain its status as a benchmark sports car, albeit with some potential problems. Read more » No longer want to receive these emails? Unsubscribe. FCP Euro 155 Hill Street Milford, Connecticut 06460