Forbidden fruits: Top 5 cars that never sold in the UK

While our expansive car market is often coveted by other nations, British petrolheads don’t always get what they want. Here are five fantastic motors we never got the chance to buy.

The powerful allure of the unobtainable. It’s a strange aspect of the human condition, and one that’s especially pronounced when it comes to cars. From cutesy miniaturised Keis, to pumped-up pickups from down under, the motoring landscape is awash with four-wheeled oddities that catch our eye with their elusive appeal.  

With our thinking caps on, we can accept these vehicles would make little sense on our shores, but the heart often yearns for what it cannot have. So, here's our selection of five forbidden fruits, we never got to try on British tarmac.

5. Dodge Challenger Demon

For many years it felt like US automakers were deliberately depriving Brits of their coolest models. Sure, Ford’s introduction of the right-hand-drive Mustang in 2016 was a step in the right direction, but even to this day we’ve still never got our hands on many of its muscular brethren.  

Of these pony car alternatives, it’s Dodge’s Challenger — and the ferociously fast Demon, in particular — that we think was the greatest omission. With its monolithic, retro-inspired styling, even the base model Challenger oozes menace. However, it’s when Dodge slapped a hulking great 1025 bhp supercharged V8 under the hood that things got properly interesting.  

Name a production car on sale in the UK that runs an 8.9 second quarter mile for less the equivalent of $100,000 — or any price for that matter. You might say its ostentatious and unnecessary, but that’s exactly why we love it…

4. Toyota FJ Cruiser

Back to the real world and a futuristic-looking SUV (for its time) that doesn’t seem too far removed from the sort of off-roaders that now dominate the UK sales charts.  

Nonetheless, despite its universally admired quirky looks, Toyota’s powers that be deemed it unsuitable for British buyers when it debuted back in 2006.  

Initially designed for the North American market, the FJ proved so successful it ended up shipping to numerous territories including the Middle East, the Philippines, and even South Africa. Buyers loved them, too. From the rear-hinged back doors (just like a Rolls-Royce Phantom) to the powerful and dependable V6 engine that was later adopted by Lotus in 3.5-litre guise, the FJ Cruiser was far more versatile than many modern Tonka toy-style jeeps.  

So, why didn’t we get it? A lack of any frugal diesel powerplant is one guess. A fear of internal competition against the popular Rav-4, another. Whatever the real reason, we can’t help but feel a little cheated by this one, Toyota.

3. HSV Maloo

Given the government’s recent move to scrap commercial tax breaks on pickup trucks, a ‘Ute’ like the Australian HSV Maloo, now seems about as incongruous on British roads as a rocket-powered bulldozer.  

If we’re honest, the Maloo’s thirsty, Corvette-derived 6.2-litre V8 engine means it was always difficult to make a logical case for. Look past the eye-watering fuel bills, though, and it’s easy to see why Ute’s pique our interest. 

Essentially an elongated saloon car with a load bay instead of rear seats, this unique class of vehicle combines superior handling (compared to high-riding pickups, like the Ranger Raptor) and the practicality of a commercial vehicle.  

Still not convinced? Supercharged variants had as much as 580 bhp and a sub five second 0-60 mph sprint. Plus, it’ll certainly stand out on any British building site amongst a sea of award-winning Kangoos and rally-inspired Transits.

2. Chevrolet Corvette (all models)

Since 1953 Chevrolet’s Corvette has been America’s most successful foray into the world of sport cars, and it’s one we’ve seldom sampled in Britain. Unlike the muscle cars which share its LS V8, Corvettes have long been as competent in the bends as they are hurtling down a drag strip.  

Despite boasting a dynamic ability that’s on par with many European rivals, Chevy’s sports car has often employed unconventional engineering to get there. From lightweight plastic panels, to antiquated (but effective) leaf spring suspension, the ‘Vette has received its fair share of derogation over the years from the snooty and the misinformed. 

But, as they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating; the Corvette is one of the UKs most imported cars. In fact, such was the demand for the latest C8 it was even made available in the UK — in right-hand-drive guise — courtesy of long-term importer, Ian Allan Motors. 

1. Honda S660

Imagine an NSX that’s easy to park, cheap to run, and doesn’t break the bank to buy… Ok, we’re being economical with the truth, but you can’t deny that the S660 has hints of Honda’s halo supercar in its styling. And then there’s the engine, which is also mid-mounted, mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox, and even produces a similar off-beat warble to the NSX’s fabled V6.  

Unfortunately, that’s where the similarities end. Priced at an inconceivably reasonable £14,000 in its native Japan, the S660 was the spiritual successor to Honda’s popular Beat Kei car. Designed specifically to sneak under Japanese legislation for size and tax, tiny Keis like the S660 typically sport miniscule three-cylinder 660cc engines with around 60 bhp.  

As a result, performance is hardly rapid – or even quick, for that matter. 0-60 mph is in the double digits and you’ll struggle to crack 100 mph. However, that just means you’ll get to enjoy flinging the S660’s 830kg into the bends without breaking speed limits.  

Production started for the Japanese Domestic Market in 2015, and despite tantalising rumours of a UK spec S660, the model never officially left Japanese shores before it was axed in 2022. We were so close, yet so far… 

Which automotive forbidden fruit do you think tastes the sweetest? Tell us your favourite foreign market cars that never sold in the UK.

Hero image credit: Honda