2012 Toronto: Crystal balling next year’s show

I predict in my Toronto Star Wheels article what we might see at the 2013 Toronto auto show. Full article after the jump. By John LeBlanc No doubt: if you’re looking at buying a new 2012 or 2013 model-year vehicle, this year’s Canadian International Auto Show is a great place to start. Just as rust never sleeps, though, neither does the car industry. By this time next year, you’ll be reading about the highlights of the 2013 show. So if you didn’t find the perfect new car, truck, or SUV at this year’s auto show, grab a pencil, as I look into my crystal ball and project what new concepts and production cars, we may see in Toronto a year from now.

SMALL CARS

Small — and really small cars — have been all the rage recently, especially with the Detroit Big Three, who normally have shied away from this segment. But with stricter fuel economy regulations and younger new car buyers coming into the market, luxury brands are now starting to jump aboard the small car bandwagon. First up, Audi will replace its current hatchback-only compact A3 with an all-new four-door sedan later this year (see the concept above). The timing is critical. By then, not only will rival Mercedes-Benz have its new 2013 B-Class four-door hatchback on sale, we may also see concepts of a B-based crossover, sedan, a small wagon (dubbed a “Shooting Brake”), and maybe even the smaller A-Class two-door hatch (seen in concept form, left). If the automaker decided to bring the compact hatchback to Canada, Volvo could also have its new V40 four-door compact hatch here in Toronto next year. And with a debut later this year, you can count on the next-generation Smart ForTwo city to be at the 2013 T.O. show too. Luxury brands won’t be the only makes with small cars at next year’s show. All-new versions of the Kia Forte, Nissan Versa hatchback (left), Mitsubishi Lancer and Volkswagen Golf may also appear.

FAMILY CARS

You can find the all-new Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Fusion (and its upscale Lincoln MKZ mate in concept) at this year’s show. But over the next few years, the family sedan market will be flush with new offerings, including some of the most recognizable names in the segment. For the 2014 model year, the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima (as hinted at in concept form at the top of this post), and Mazda6 (as hinted at in the Mazda Takeri concept, above) will all be redesigned. We should also see more fruits from the Chrysler-Fiat connection. Fiat-based replacements for the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger sedans, as well as the Jeep Patriot/Compass crossovers, are expected to appear sometime in 2013, along with a larger, four-door version of the Fiat 500 (left). Other all-new compact crossovers expected by next year include a redesigned Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander, and perhaps a Lincoln version of the new European-influenced Ford Escape. Mid-size crossovers have effectively replaced the family station wagon. And the segment doesn’t look to be cooling off. For example, Nissan will be debuting an all-new five-passenger Murano and a re-born seven-passenger Pathfinder (it sheds its truck-based chassis in favour of an extended version of the car-based Murano platform). Ford’s version of the Murano — the Edge — is due for a redesign for 2015, as is its Lincoln MKX platform-mate. Concepts of both may show up at the 2013 Toronto show. Both will be challenged by new Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento crossovers.

LUXURY CARS

With the debut of three new vehicles at this year’s Toronto show, Honda’s premium Acura brand garnered plenty of attention. In 12 months, I expect Toyota’s premium Lexus brand will be grabbing the spotlight. While the sexy LF-LC sports coupe concept from this year’s Detroit auto show is still some years away — if it goes into production at all — redesigned versions of the IS compact sports sedan, Camry-based ES midsize sedan, RX crossover and LS full-size sedan are expected in the next year. Ready to challenge the more established brands (see Lexus) will be the yet-unnamed Kia sports-luxury sedan. Codenamed the KH, and only seen in sketches like the one above to date, the large, rear-drive sedan will take its styling cues from the Kia GT concept (seen at this year’s show), and will go on sale in Korea later this year.

SPORTS & PERFORMANCE CARS

Whether you’re ready to buy or not, checking out the latest sports and performance cars is a highlight for many attending the auto show. And next year’s edition shouldn’t disappoint show goers. Two of America’s most iconic sports cars, the Chevrolet Corvette and SRT (nee Dodge) Viper are due for replacements for 2014. If the T.O. show organizers can pry examples from competing events, each could be a highlight at next year’s event. As a follow-up to the all-new Porsche Boxster convertible, seen above, that’s debuting at the Geneva show next month, the also-new hardtop Cayman should be at next year’s show (if Porsche Canada decides to attend, unlike this year). Of the more exotic nature, hopefully we’ll also see an all-new Maserati Quattroporte and a replacement for the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano.

TRUCKS & SUVS

Full-size trucks still make up the majority of new vehicle sales in Canada, mainly from the Detroit Big Three — Ford, GM, and Chrysler. And although the new versions haven’t been confirmed for next year’s Toronto event, GM’s full-size truck platform (that includes the Chevrolet Silverado truck, Tahoe and Suburban SUVs, and their respective GMC and Cadillac mates) is due for a redo sometime in 2013. By then, we should also see a major makeover from Toyota’s full-size Tundra truck and Sequoia SUV. Competing against the new GM SUVs will be two new utility vehicles from Chrysler-Fiat, both based on the existing Jeep Grand Cherokee chassis. Resurrecting the Grand Wagoneer name, a three-row version of the Grand Cherokee is planned for 2014, as is a production version of the also Jeep-based Maserati Kubang concept (left). By this time next year, all-new SUVs from Bentley and Lamborghini could also appear here in Toronto. Finally, one of the most overdue vehicles you can buy today may end up at the show next year. Volvo’s aging XC90 SUV, first seen at the 2002 Detroit auto show, is due for a replacement for the 2014 model, and could end up in concept (above) from at the 2013 event. With files from Automotive News.

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