2013 Toronto Auto Show – Concepts and Pre-production Cars

Lets spare the intros and get straight to the concept vehicle. There were a number of concepts at the show, but what looked like hyper-cars from Acura, Lexus and BMW stood out. Other exotic cars, which will soon be in production or at least I hope they will included the Dodge Viper, Acura NSX, Corvette concept and a number of other interesting cars including offerings from Volkwagen, Honda, and Chevrolet. First up is the Acura NSX concept.

 

Acura NSX Concept

 

BMW i8 and i3 Concepts

The most interesting thing that i couldn’t get my eyes off were the foot-pedals in the i3 concept. I am sure that once in a while, every drive would be hitting the Gas & the break peddles simultaneously. Could be interesting for the battery i suppose.  Next Up is the Chevrolet Corvette concept / 2014 Production Model.

Chevrolet Corvette

Corvette in almost any model year is a pretty decent looking car, especially considering the price-tag for other cars in the same class. However, after seeing this concept / production model, everything, including the present Corvettes looked boring & bland. Behold, the pictures of the arguably sexiest looking corvette ever. the most interesting detail on the this Corvette are the exhaust pipes. From Boxters to Koenigsegg I have never been a fan of the mid-located exhausts. But it finally looks good now.

Chevrolet TRU 140 S

The Chevrolet Tru 140S looked a like a very promising small car, considering that the Chevy Cruze is also nearly 4 years old and fast coming for a model update. If it ever reaches production, it would be t by far was the most attractive looking Chevrolet offering in this class that has included bland models including the Cavalier, Cobalt and now the Cruze.

 

 Chevrolet Code 130S 

Chevrolet Code 13R Concept is a rear-wheel drive coupe that depending on the feedback could be the alternate design-language picked ahead of the TRU140RS concept. Although, I do feel that it was being sabataged by the grey color; same car in a Pearl white or Baby Blue could have scored a lot more on the “cuteness” scale. The Code 130R shares some of its platform genetics with the Cadillac ATS, and it is powered by a 1.4-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Dodge Viper

For all the Hyper-cars, exotic cars and super cars … for me this is the most bad-ass looking car since its inception more then 20 years ago. Amongst the headaches for the second owner, I predict the wiring for the head-lights to be one of the most interesting one. Why? sooner or later, those harnesses are getting pinched.

Honda Urban SUV Concept

What looked like the eminent replacement for the now defunct Honda Element since 2011, the Honda Urban SUV concept looked like a truck that could soon be heading for production. Considering that Honda Crosstour hasn’t exactly been setting any sales records and Pilot was never a product for those looking for Compact and Smaller mid-size SUV, Urban SUV fits right where element left off, without any of the boxy design cues. A nice touch is the design cue carried from the Acura NSX concept … the headlights.

 2014 Jaguar F-Type

 

Lexus LFA

Lexus LF-CC

Counting by exotics and concepts alone, i’d say that Lexus had the strongest presence at the show. LF-CC imho looked like a super car bloated as if someone had attached an air-hose and forgotten about it.

 Lexus LF-LC

Now the Lexus that completely out-did the already brilliant LFA and the LF-CC was the Lexus LF-LC Hybrid concept. Dead-on, I don’t beleive i have ever seen anything as remotely aerodynamic as that front end; or a car as beautifully sculpted that could you feel the function in every curve and design detail. The interior shot is also phenomenal; out goes the already futuristic looking BMW i-Drive style knobs and toggles, and in-comes what looks like an elaborate keypad, where traditionally the parking brake goes.

 

Lincoln MKC Concept

Nissan Juke Nismo

 

Smart Forstars

Volkswagen Cross Coupé

What looked like a really promising entry into the nearly barren Sports Activity Coupé class Volkswagon was displaying a bright red the Cross Coupé. Every time I see a car in this  category, I can only think of one application, running them at speed-limit or just past on the Canadian back-country roads with atleast 6″ inches of snow on the ground. Unfortunately, the Acura ZDX, for all its cool looks, still appears far too fragile for this task and the BMW X6 is just something i’d need another 20 years in my career before I can afford one. If Volkswagen actually takes this production, it’d rank very high on my list of off-lease vehicles to purchase in 3 years time.