2010 Toronto Auto Show – “Must See” Concepts

It's the last weekend to check out this year's Canadian International Auto Show, down at the Metro Convention Centre. I've already told you about the "must see" performance debuts, but here are my recommendations  for the most interesting concepts you'll find at this year's show. - John LeBlanc Infiniti Essence The Essence, above, is a true show car. First seen at last year's Geneva auto show, it was designed to showcase the Nissan premium brand's recent jump into the European market, hint at Infiniti's future styling direction and confirm that the automaker is working on gasoline-electric powertrain technology. Nissan's first hybrid system (the current Altima Hybrid uses Toyota parts) consists of a twin-turbocharged 3.7-litre gas V6 and an electric motor powered by lithium-ion batteries packed into the sleek-looking coupe's lower trunk area. Nissan says the combination pumps out a healthy 592 hp to its rear wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox with manual mode and paddle-shifters. Also, be sure to check out the Essence's custom Louis Vuitton luggage set that rolls on a tray out of the concept's trunk. Chances of production: It's highly unlikely the Essence will ever be produced as is. Its styling influence, though, will direct the future look for the brand, and can already be seen on the all-new 2011 Infiniti M sedans that can be seen at the Toronto show as well. Lexus LF-Ch As you may have heard, small cars are the future. But that doesn't mean they can't be luxurious. That's one of the reasons for the Lexus LF-Ch, a compact hybrid hatchback loaded with features normally found in larger offerings from Toyota's premium brand. Another reason is BMW. Just as Lexus covets the German automaker's 3 Series customers with its entry-level sports luxury IS, the LF-Ch is targeted at BMW's premium 1 Series (that's sold as a hatchback in Europe). Most of the Lexus concept's nuts, bolts and electrons come from the new 2010 Lexus HS 250h hybrid sedan. And similar to Volvo's C30 premium hatch, the Lexus sports four bucket seats. Auto-show gimmicks include headrest-mounted iPhone docking capability for audio and video entertainment for rear passengers, and suicide rear doors. Chances of production: The LF-Ch is a go. In fact we'll probably see a European production version at this year's Geneva auto show. Whether or not Toyota decides to bring that model into North America is the unanswered question. Mini Beachcomber The Beachcomber is a whimsical bridge between the Mini Crossover concept from last year and the production Countryman – the brand's first vehicle with five-doors and available all-wheel-drive – that will go on sale in Canada about a year from now. First seen at this year's Detroit auto show, the Beachcomber was designed to evoke memories of the 1960s Mini Moke. Unlike the mid-1960's Mini Moke, though, the doorless Beachcomber retains a main structure. Reinforced A-pillars, a wide D-pillar bar and an integrated lateral support at the rear of the car have been added for safety's sake. Inside the Mini concept, a pair of rear seats adjust fore and aft and have backrests that fold down completely to stow sports equipment such as mountain bikes or wakeboards securely, held in position by special fastening systems. In addition to a cloth top, the Beachcomber is available with plastic inserts on the roof, at the sides and at the rear just in case it rains, snows or hails. Chances of production: Sorry, Baywatch fans. The Beachcomber is just an auto-show distraction until the real Mini Countryman goes on sale. Mitsubishi PX-MiEV The automaker says PX stands for "plug-in hybrid crossover" and the "MiEV" represents Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle. So it's no surprise to find a 1.6-litre four-cylinder gas engine powering the concepts front wheels, and an electric motor powers the rear when called upon, using the same S-AWC and E-AYC systems as the Japanese automaker's Lancer Evolution X super sedan. First seen at last year's Tokyo auto show, the PX-MiEV boasts an electric-only mode of around 50 kms. A new plug-in system allows drivers to recharge its batteries with either a 110- or a 220-volt outlet. The PX also showcases some new safety systems that will more than likely end up in future Mitsubishi production models. The "Multi-Around Monitor" is a front-facing camera that detects fatigue then alerts the driver through a series of visual, audio and "vibrational" warnings. Chances of production: The PX's styling hints at the next-generation Outlander crossover. Its plug-in hybrid system may end up in many future Mitsubishis, including the Evolution super sedan. Volkswagen Up! Lite Auto-show attendees looking for the most fuel-efficient cars they can buy sometimes find the choice between diesel and gasoline-electric hybrids difficult. With VW's Up! Lite, a diesel-electric hybrid, you don't have to choose. With a 50-hp, 0.8-litre two-cylinder turbodiesel engine matched to a 13-hp electric motor and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, VW estimates the four-seat, front-wheel-drive, compact hatchback will get an astonishing 70 miles per U.S. gallon (3.4 L/100 km), making it the most fuel-efficient four-passenger car in the world, conceptually, at least. Thanks to the torquey nature of electric and diesel powerplants, VW says the Up! Lite can go from 0-to-96 km/h in just over 12 seconds before reaching a top speed of 160 km/h. Chances of production: While still a "concept," the Up! Lite is built around VW's next compact platform. And VW has committed to a small, ultra-high-mileage, ultra-high-tech showcase (like Toyota's Prius or GM's Chevy Volt). Expect something like the Up! Lite to appear after 2011.

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