And among the new models making their debut today are Toyota's 2010 Prius and Honda's 2009 Insight, all-new gasoline-electric hybrids that deliver low emissions and improved fuel economy thanks to the dual power train design.
The 2009 show will include other hybrids, too, as well as cleaner diesels, fuel cell concept cars, electric vehicles and more. All are interesting, but most show-goers are first and foremost interested in seeing new models that will be in dealer showrooms right away, or in the very near future.
To that end, here's a rundown of some of the more important Canadian and regional vehicle premieres at this year's 2009 show:
2010 AUDI R8 5.2 FSI QUATTRO
Audi's mid-engine R8 sports car now has a V-8, but this concept teaser has the 5.2-litre V-10 that's already found in the S6 and S8 sedans, along with the R8's sister car, the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4. No one at Audi will confirm production — yet — but it is coming as a real car within the year.
2010 LINCOLN MKT
The Lincoln MKT is a full-size premium crossover utility that Lincoln officials say offers the "comfort of a luxury sedan, the spaciousness and flexibility of a full-size utility and the performance of a sporty roadster." To be assembled in Oakville, Ont., the MKT rides on the mechanicals of Ford's Flex. The MKT, which has three rows of seats, is larger than the Lincoln MKX crossover. It will reach dealer showrooms this summer with two engines: a 268-horsepower, 3.7-litre V-6 or the company's new 355-horsepower, 3.5-litre V-6 EcoBoost.
2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
Due in the summer, the restyled, re-engineered Equinox goes on sale in the summer with a four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission, meant to enhance fuel economy. The base engine will be GM's new direct-injection, 182-hp, 2.4-litre engine, compared to the current 185-hp China-sourced V-6. A 255-hp V-6 is also planned. Chevy general marketing manager Ed Peper says, "We're going right after the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4."
2010 KIA FORTE
The Forte is the replacement for the Spectra compact car and the design signals Kia's new look — one that will spread throughout the lineup.
2010 CADILLAC SRX
The redesigned SRX crossover takes its styling cues from the Cadillac Provoq concept shown last year in Detroit. With a wide stance, short overhangs and wheels pushed to the corners, the look is bold and tight. Interestingly, the five-seat SRX will be the first Cadillac in recent years without a V-8 option — a concession to fuel economy. Two new direct-injection V-6 engines are available: a 260-hp 3.0-litre is standard, and a 300-hp turbocharged 2.8-litre V-6 is optional. The SRX has front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive is optional. Aimed at the Lexus RX, BMW X3 and Acura RDX, the new Caddy goes on sale in mid-2009.
2010 FORD TAURUS
Underneath are the underpinnings of the Lincoln MKS introduced last year. This large sedan will be available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The standard engine is the 263-hp 3.5 litre V-6 with a 6-speed automatic. The fancier models will have manual shifters on the steering wheel. A turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 with at least 300 horsepower will be available later this year. On sale this summer.
LEXUS HS 250H
With its four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine teamed with the hybrid electric drive, this new Lexus is a hybrid-only model. To improve fuel economy, it uses energy-scavenging technology such as sophisticated valve timing, a heat recovery system and a low-drag exterior shape. There is also electric-motor steering assist that can warn drivers with a mild steering wheel shake if they are drifting out of their lane. Drivers can even use a grille-mounted camera for a view of objects or pedestrians in front of the vehicle. Due in late summer.
2009 NISSAN CUBE
The new Cube, a boxy car aimed at ecoconscious younger buyers, similar to Toyota's Scion brand, will go on sale in the spring. But it's not a Scion "because it has personality," Larry Dominique, Nissan vice-president for product planning, told reporters at the Los Angeles auto show last November. The Cube seats five, with a sliding, reclining, theatre-style rear seat that allows a six-foot passenger to fit comfortably behind a six-foot driver. A 1.8-litre, 122-hp four-cylinder engine, borrowed from the Versa, provides power to either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission.
BMW Z4 ROADSTER
The new Z4 Roadster goes on sale this spring and there will be two engines: a 255-hp 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine and a 306-horsepower version of the same motor as an option. The angular lines and sharp edges of the previous Z4 have been smoothed over. A two-piece, retractable hard-top roof can be raised or lowered in 20 seconds. BMW has scrapped the previous model's soft-top.
2010 JAGUAR XF-R
The story here is the all-new 5.0-litre, supercharged V-8 with 510 horsepower, good for a 4.9-second sprint to 100 km/hour. The new 2010 XK-R sports car gets the same power plant. A new, stiffer computer-controlled suspension and rear differential, enormous brakes and deep-bolstered sport seats are part of the package.
2010 SUBARU FORESTER PZEV
The Forester Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) is scheduled for sale in early summer, and joins the Canadian Legacy and Outback PZEV models. Compared to an average new vehicle, Subaru PZEV vehicles have 90 per cent cleaner exhaust emissions, and in very smoggy urban areas, the exhaust from the tailpipe can actually be cleaner than the air outside. The new Forester is based on the Forester 2.5X and includes a 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxer engine producing 170 horsepower.
2009 MASERATI QUATTROPORTE SPORT GT S
The Quattroporte Sport GT S, a new, sportier 433-hp version of the Quattroporte sedan, is here to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Maserati's first Indianapolis 500 win. This four-door executive sedan will run 0-100 km/hour in less than 5.5 seconds.
2010 VOLVO XC60
The XC60, Volvo's first entry into the small premium crossover segment, is the safest Volvo ever, say Volvo officials. The XC60 has what Volvo calls "City Safety" - a feature that can help the driver avoid or reduce the effects of low-speed impacts that are common in city and stop-and-go traffic. The XC60 will have one engine choice in Canada: the six-cylinder turbocharged T6 engine producing 281 horsepower. All-wheel drive (AWD) with Instant Traction is fitted as standard.
2009 NISSAN 370Z
The 370Z sports car, all 332-horsepower of it, has a 3.7-litre V-6 engine under the hood, with variable valve timing, variable valve lift and a redline of 7,500 rpm. And the six-speed manual transmission — shorter throws, tighter gates, crisper engagements — is from the engineering department, not the design staff. The look is better proportioned and the 370 is about 50 kg lighter than the 350 it replaces.[-space-]
2010 TOYOTA PRIUS
Toyota says the redesigned third-generation Prius is more fuel efficient, has better performance, and new design features. It is quieter, roomier, and better equipped as standard. New features include a glass sunroof, four driving modes, and steering wheel touch controls that display on the instrument panel. The latest Prius has a larger and more powerful 1.8-litre Atkinson-cycle, four-cylinder gas engine, but fuel economy is better and emissions are lower. Fuel economy is especially improved in cold-start conditions and at higher speeds, says Toyota. The latest Hybrid Synergy Drive is 90-per-cent new.
2009 HONDA INSIGHT
Honda officials have suggested that the new Insight four-door hatchback will be priced in the $20,000-range, making it the least expensive production hybrid yet. Honda has reined in costs for the Insight by using the existing Integrated Motor Assist hybrid power train, though in a smaller package and with lighter components. Like the Honda Civic Hybrid, the Insight's system combines an electric motor with a 1.3-litre VTEC engine. Its main power source, a highly efficient, lightweight gasoline engine, will be assisted by battery power.
2009 INFINITI G37 CONVERTIBLE
The G37 convertible has a three-piece hard-top roof that retracts in 30 seconds. The convertible is based on the G37 coupe, which debuted in April 2007. To accommodate the convertible's retractable roof, Infiniti stretched the coupe, replacing the sheet metal from the end of the doors rearward. Other body changes include rear fenders that flare out to add width. On sale in the spring.
2009 FERRARI SCUDERIA SPIDER
The F430 Scuderia Spider — officially called the Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M — is a convertible designed to commemorate Ferrari's 16th F1 Constructor's title. Like its fixed-roof counterpart, the Scuderia Spider is light and powerful, and uses the same 510 horsepower 4.3-litre V-8 found in the Scuderia coupe. Ferrari claims the Scuderia Spider is the fastest convertible ever to lap its Fiorano test track. The car has a claimed 0-100 km/hour time of 3.7 seconds. Just 499 Scuderia Spiders will be produced.
2010 VOLSWAGEN GOLF VI
The sixth-generation Volkswagen Golf got its first public display at the 2008 Paris Auto Show and now is being seen in North America for the first time. The new design is far less extravagant in appearance. VW officials say they wanted a clean, simple and recognizable design. As with the exterior, the interior is conservative and well laid out. Volkswagen predicts the majority of North American sales will once again come from its 170-horsepower 2.5-litre inline-five gasoline engine.
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