AUTO EXOTICA
The machine with the highest fascination factor at the show is surely the Aston Martin One-77. With an MSRP of $1.7 million and one of only 77 examples ever to be built, this super-sports car is so exclusive that your chances of seeing one on the road is somewhere between zero and nil.
But it’s not even the most expensive production car at the show. That honour goes to the $2 million Bugatti Veyron, the world’s most powerful and fastest street legal production car. The Aston Martin and Bugatti were part of the show’s Auto Exotica exhibit, which allows show goers to bask in the glow of the various supernovas of the automotive world. Pagani’s carbon-fibre wonder, the Zonda R is a thing to behold in person, as is the Ferrari FF and the Calloway Corvette. But my favourite piece in Auto Exotica is the barn-found 50-something Mercedes-Benz 300SL “Gullwing” Coupe owned by muscle-car impresario Peter Klutt, of Legendary Motorcar (the restoration and sales shop) and Dream Car Garage (the TV show). It’s barn-found aura is totally intact. Klutt stood by his prize during press day, and when I asked if this Merc would be restored some day, he simply said, “not on my watch.” A good man that Peter Klutt.
AWARD WINNERS
Press day is when AJAC announced its major awards for 2012.
Hyundai Elantra was named 2012 Canadian Car of the Year, while Volkswagen Touareg TDI Clean Diesel was declared 2012 Utility Vehicle of the Year. Already in Elantra’s trophy case is hardware from the show in Detroit, when it was named 2012 North American Car of the Year. Hyundai’s Veloster was also declared as Best New Design, which seemed to surprise a few, me included, as contenders Jaguar XKR-S and Range Rover Evoque both flaunt new designs with great emotional appeal. AJAC’s Best New Technology award went, and very deservedly so, to GM’s “Voltec” propulsion system in the Chevrolet Volt.
Here’s a look at some of the concepts, production cars and green vehicles on display
CONCEPTS
On the concept front, Toronto has a little of everything. Two that go against their respective brand images are Cadillac’s Urban Luxury Concept and Kia’s GT Concept. The Cadi is a little city car that seats four, and uses “scissor-type” doors for easier access, while the GT is Kia’s first rear-drive concept, and tries to channel the vibe of large, American 1970s-era sport coupes.
The Lincoln MKZ Concept was introduced to Toronto by Max Wolff, the brand’s design director. With the introduction of the new-gen Fusion, the Fusion-based MKZ is ready for its new-gen look as well, and this concept gives us a pretty clear picture of its future design. Wolff noted that Lincoln’s re-birth is about more than just new vehicles. A new, dedicated Lincoln team has been installed, and there is big push to significantly upgrade the Lincoln dealership and ownership experience.
Mazda Canada president, Don Romano, might be biased, but he called the Mazda SHINARI concept the best-looking vehicle at the show. The 4-door, 4-seat sport coupe rendered in “KODO” design language (“Soul of Motion”), previews the look of the next-generation Mazda6.
ECO-DRIVE
The Eco-Drive Showcase brought together an impressive list of green vehicles and their green-enabling technologies, but there is one concept on the main show floor that demands some green attention time ‘ the Hyundai Blue2, which packs the automaker’s proprietary hydrogen-based HyPower fuel cell electric drivetrain, producing 90 kilowatts of power.
Also shown at Toronto, but only briefly on press day, was the all-electric Toyota Rav4, which is being built at the automaker’s production facilities in Woodstock, Ont.
But auto shows are also great places to celebrate the past.
The major “classic” display this year is one celebrating the Triumph Motor Car Company. Every significant “TR” model, from TR2 to TR8, is present and accounted for, as well as many special edition, historic, and racing models. One of more interesting and handsome pieces in the display is the Michelotti Italia.
The Italian-based coachbuilder created the car by designing and producing a smart, fixed-head coupe body to fit over TR3 running gear. Only 300 were built between 1959 and 1963.
PRODUCTION CARS
Quite a few production cars made their Canadian debuts at the show, too many to detail here, but here are a few that had something to say…
Cadillac’s new flagship, the full-size XTS was sitting pretty under the lights, and felt right at home in Toronto ‘ no wonder, it’s built just down the road in Oshawa.
Honda/Acura rolled out production versions of Acura ILX, the brand’s new entry-level vehicle, and Accord Coupe, which moves the nameplate into its ninth generation format. ILX will be for sale this spring, while the new Accord Coupe should be ready to go by fall. Honda’s new RDX, was also on display, flaunting its new, milder persona.
The 2013 Audi A4 Allroad will replace the A4 Avant (Audi-speak for station wagon). Seems like “regular” wagons just don’t cut it any more ‘ consumers demand that they be higher, more rugged, and therefore more SUV/Crossover like.
Blame/thank Subaru Outback for this movement.
Speaking of Subaru, the Japanese manufacturer is displaying something called the “XV,” which is actually a small Impreza-based crossover/wagon currently sold in other markets ‘ a smaller Outback if you will. Subaru hopes to gather feedback on the XV, to decide if it should be introduced to Canada. This segment is one of the hottest in the industry, so the decision would appear to be a no brainer, especially as the XV looks quite all right ‘ even in Tangerine Orange.
