2012 Toronto: Top 10 Must-sees

We're about one week away from the doors opening on this year's Toronto auto show. If you're planning on attending, here are my ten "must-sees" from my Toronto Star Wheels article. Full story after the jump.

By John LeBlanc

With the spring new car buying season just around the corner, there’s no better venue to check out than the annual Canadian International AutoShow (a.k.a. the Toronto auto show) to kick a few tires before heading out to the dealerships. If you’re planning on heading to the show, here are my Top 10 must-see debuts:

10. 2013 Buick Encore

Using the same four-cylinder engine and platform of the subcompact Chevrolet Sonic, the five-passenger Buick crossover is about the same size as a Mini Countryman or Nissan Juke. But that doesn’t mean the Encore is any less of a “Buick”. Luxury features include the brand’s QuietTuning technology, premium sound systems, remote vehicle start, and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel.

9. 2013 Ford Fusion

As the best-selling midsized sedan in Canada, the current Fusion four-door is no sales slouch. But with the yardsticks in this segment moving forward quickly, Ford is launching an all-new front- and all-wheel-drive Fusion in Canada. Essentially the same car as the European-market Mondeo, the new Fusion’s most obvious changes are its looks (check out its Aston Martin-inspired front grille!).

8. Volkswagen Bulli

Canadians will more than likely not see VW’s excellent Up! city car any time soon. But a production version of the Up!-based Bulli concept is seriously being considered for North America. Designed as a modern (and much smaller) take on VW’s iconic 1960s Microbus, the Bulli sports 2+2+2 seating. It’s also jammed with a slew of “not-ready-for-prime-time” kit, including a Fender USA (as in the guitar-maker) premium audio system, and an Apple iPad that controls all of the concept car’s infotainment functions.

7. Infiniti Etherea Concept

Infiniti will be bringing a premium compact car to market within the next few years. And the Etherea gives us a good idea of what that car will look like. The concept’s pillar-less “suicide” rear doors won’t make it to showrooms. But the Etherea’s crescent-shaped C-pillars (first seen on the brand’s Essence concept) should end up on the production Infiniti that will be based on the forthcoming Mercedes-Benz B-Class compact.

6. Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ

Possibly the most talked about new car among car enthusiasts this year, the Scion FR-S and Subaru BR-Z are the near-identical twins of a two-seat, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe also sold in other markets as the Toyota FT-86. The same Subaru-supplied 2.0-litre flat four-cylinder with 200 hp powers the Scion and Subie. Luxury features have been kept to a minimum to allow the prices and curb weights to be kept low, and the driving thrills high.

5. Dodge Dart

Without a real competitor in the compact car class — Canada’s largest — since the Neon died in 2005, the all-new Dodge Dart compact sedan is an important car for Chrysler Canada. The first of a slew of new, small Chrysler products based on Fiat mechanicals, the Dart will be offered with a trio of four-cylinder engines, ranging in power between 160 and 184 hp, combined with three transmission choices: six-speed manual; six-speed automatic; or six-speed dual-clutch auto.

4. Acura ILX Concept

While rival luxury brands are just now getting into premium small cars (see the Infiniti Etherea), Acura’s been there since the 1997 EL. The new ILX continues that heritage. Like its CSX predecessor, the ILX is still a Honda Civic sedan underneath. But this time around, Acura designers have made a concerted effort to distinguish the car inside and out from the more mainstream Honda it’s based on. A gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain — Acura’s first-ever hybrid — will also be available.

3. 2013 Cadillac ATS

Ten years after the debut of its first real sports sedan, the 2003 CTS, Cadillac is once again going BMW 3 Series hunting, this time with its all-new 2013 ATS sedan, set go on sale later in 2012. Like the vaunted BMW, the ATS will offer a full menu of four- and six-cylinder engines, up to the 318 hp 3.6 six from the bigger CTS, but in a much more nimble and lighter chassis.

2. Jaguar C-X16 concept

Jaguar fans have been hoping for a replacement for the legendary XK-E sports car since it was canned in the mid-1970s. The C-X16 concept is a precursor to a production car that will finally fulfill that wish. The concept’s new V6 gas-electric hybrid system may or may not make it into production, but like the Aston Martin Vantage the Jag closely resembles in size, the C-X16 wears classic grand touring car proportions, highlighted by a side-hinged rear hatch door reminiscent of the XK-E hardtops.

1. Acura NSX Concept

Its still three years away from going on sale, but the Toronto show will be your first chance in Canada to see the replacement for the legendary 1990 to 2005 NSX. All-wheel-drive, a mid-mounted 400 hp-plus direct-injected gas V6 — helped by one electric motor built into its dual-clutch automatic transmission and a pair of e-motors that direct torque to the outside front wheel and negative torque to the inside front wheel during cornering — means the new NSX will once again be a technological showcase for Honda.

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