If you look inside a European body shop, you might notice that their auto technicians get to work on some amazing cars— ones you’ve likely never seen on any North American roads. From niche market models to practical road cars, sometimes the grass really is greener on the other side!
If you are planning to pursue an automotive career, read on to learn more about a few awesome vehicles that are not available in North America.
Volkswagen Polo GTI: An Auto Technician’s Dream
The VW Polo GTI is one of a handful of sleek and sporty hatchbacks only sold overseas. It’s the little brother of VW Golf, with a trademark sharp and compact frame design.
If you’re interested in becoming an auto service technician, you’ll definitely want to look under the hood of this car. While previous Polo models featured a tiny 1.4L engine, the 2015 Polo GTI boasts a turbocharged 192-horsepower 1.8-litre engine. The vehicle can go from 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100km/hr) in just 6.7 seconds and has a top speed of 147 mph (236 km/h).
The 2015 Volkwagen Polo still hasn’t made its way onto North American soil, likely because VW doesn’t want it competing with the uber-popular Ford Fiesta ST and Mini Cooper. But that doesn’t make mechanics want it any less.
Check out this video for a glimpse of the 2015 Polo GTI:
Honda Civic Hatchback, a New Innovative Body Model
This is not just another Civic – the design and styling of a Honda European Civic is unlike any other. With a distinct, elegantly curving body style and hatchback features, it would take a second look for even well-trained car technical experts to recognize that it is in fact a Honda.
Automotive service school can train you to become a skilled professional who can explore what lies beneath the hoods of these compact cars: engines ranging from the tiny 1.4L to the robust 2.2L diesel.
Its efficiency and design could bring a sense of refinement to Canadian showrooms – but Honda hasn’t even hinted at making that a possibility, so technicians here can only wait.
Audi A1: Small but Powerful Auto Technology
The Audi A1 has a platform that’s similar to the Volkswagen Polo and it’s just as impressively packed. With state-of-the-art amenities like rain-sensing wipers and “cylinder on demand” innovation it’s less like other hatchback subcompacts and closer to other Audi models and the Bentley Continental.
Replacing the 1.2-litre unit that’s usually under the hood, the all-new 2015 A1 boasts a three-cylinder 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine, which produces more power and uses less fuel. In comparison to older models, the new A1 gets 94hp instead of 85hp. In addition, the car is far more environmentally friendly as it only emits 97g/km of CO2. The A1 is also available with the option for a 1.6-litre diesel engine.
Take a look at the Audi A1 here:
Lotus Evora GTE: Race-Car Quality Mechanics
Auto career hopefuls and professionals hear “Evora GTE” and think “race-car.” But you might be amazed to hear that Lotus just produced a line of limited-edition street legal GTEs.
They’re even lighter than the ones you’d find on a racetrack, with much more powerful engines—supercharged 3.5L V6s pushing out 444-hp. This makes them the most powerful Lotus vehicles to date.
North American emissions regulations mark these amazing cars off-limits to drivers and mechanics over here. But this beautiful machine is inching closer to their grasp as auto technical schools push the field toward improved efficiency and emissions-technology.
Are you interested in becoming an auto service technician? Visit Automotive Training Centre for more information or to speak with an advisor.
