Howdy Webriders! Dr. VW here with this week’s edition of Foreign Fridays! As 2008 comes to a close (relatively), we’re beginning to see the final production photographs for many models. Today we’re going to talk about two cars that will not be making it to our shores, but were interesting enough to warrant discussion. One is definitely a sexy little hatch that I WISH would be brought over to America, and the other is well… an abortion that somehow made it through to production that I can only hope will never be brought here for any reason. Hit the jump to check em out.

First… the new hotness. The Citroen C4. The C4 might not be the most original European hatchback, nor perhaps the fastest or sportiest, but it definitely is the classiest one I’ve seen in a while. It commands a larger presence than other cars its size, and regally offers an air of sophistication that is completely beyond the reach of other hatchbacks. While the Rabbit, GTI, Civic Si, and Volvo C90 all appear aggressive and sporty to underline their performance oriented niche, the Citroen is sleeker and more humble; while retaining a sporty feel just below the surface. The C4 also doesn’t fall into the “weirdly cute” trap (thank god) that seems to dominate a lot of import hatches, like the Yaris, XD, and Smart fortwo. The interior likewise, sends up a message of refined luxury that so far only the GTI has managed to pull off. Dr. VW says this one is a winner!

And now… the abortion. What on earth was Fiat thinking? Now admittedly, Fiat has a lot of quirky looking vehicles (the Panda comes to mind) but this is taking it to a whole new level. Its like an Element, Xterra, and an Xb had an aborted child together in a vehiclular threesome from hell. The Fiorino Qubo (yeah they really named it that) is so strangely proportioned I’m frankly unsure of what to call it. It’s part crossover, part hatch, part jeep. The only thing going for it is the obnoxious green color– it screams go big or go home in terms of blatant ugliness. One this is for certain, no one in the USA would be caught dead in one of these. Check out the photos…. if your eyes can bear it for more than a few minutes.

Well Webriders thats all for this week! Hope you enjoy the galleries (thanks classycruiser!) and be sure to swing down to the forums for the usual banter. This is Dr. VW, signing off.