This impression of the Toronto auto show comes after the one-day show-and-tell blitz known as media day. So it is more of a take on media day.

Source: Auto123

 

Justin Pritchard's impressions
The economy may have just left many automakers crippled and bleeding, but most are steaming away from financial armageddon with some very relevant and exciting new hardware.


Fiat 500 (photo: Michael Wong)

GM, Chrysler and Ford all excitedly presented upcoming small cars that will aim to re-capture American market share and raise the bar in what's become a Japanese-dominated market.

The upcoming Ford Fiesta, Chevrolet Cruze and Chrysler/Fiat 500 are all worth getting excited about. Brand preference aside, shoppers can expect a new kind of small car that's globally-leveraged to be exciting, stylish and affordable. Imagine that.

Ford showed off numerous new and refreshed models that are en route to showrooms soon. The refreshed Edge will be available with a two-litre EcoBoost turbo engine, and the new Lincoln styling language is sweeping across the lineup, too.

America's only non-bankrupt carmaker is on a bit of a technology rampage too-- and a pile of new driver interface and performance-enhancing features are in the pipeline.

Hyundai had a fantastic 2009 despite the economic doom and gloom, and their 2011 Sonata will carry the momentum forward. The new Sonata is coming soon with a new high-efficiency engine and styling inspired by some of the markets finest. It's also built to pack a healthy dose of the top-notch value that saw them grow sales by a recession-busting 20 percent last year.

Other notable presentations at the Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS) included numerous electric models, a plug-in Prius, and a 592-horsepower hybrid Infiniti concept called the Essence. It was, arguably, the sexiest body at the show.


Infiniti Essence Concept (photo: Michael Wong)

Next to the gorgeous models, that is. Go see Antoinette at the Chrysler booth, and you'll see what I mean.

If this year's CIAS is any indication, it looks like new-car shoppers can start expecting more style, more power and less fuel consumption than ever before. Marketing fluff aside, there's an excited and optimistic group of people behind virtually every model on the floor. That's a good thing.

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Mike Goetz's impressions
This impression of the Toronto auto show comes after the one-day show-and-tell blitz known as media day. So it is more of a take on media day.


Honda CR-Z (photo: Michael Wong)

Like any major auto show, it will take a few tours of the show floor to fully digest and appreciate all the shiny metal objects and their technological secrets.

But no doubt that media day was a bit subdued, compared to previous years. No surprise debuts. No sizzle. No dancing girls. Not much buzz.

Even when there was something quite new to show us it wasn’t done with much theatrics. The 2011 Ford Edge was only unveiled only days earlier in the week at Chicago; its Canadian debut here was low-key. The very new Kia Forte Hybrid was just sitting there in Kia’s display area; Kia didn’t even have a press conference.

Maybe the automakers just aren’t ready to party yet, or feel they need to be more responsible these days.


Plethore LC-750 (photo: Michael Wong)

But despite all that, there are fantastic vehicles to check out here, both from the majors and the minors. The best example from the niche guys is the wild Plethore LC-750, which is advertising itself as the first Canadian Supercar (www.httsupercar.com).

In addition to the new cars, Toronto also puts on a great classic display. This year’s Carroll Shelby display is alone worth the price of admission.

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Marc Bouchard's impressions
Based on the strong January sales, one would have thought that car makers are now propelled by newfound momentum and, consequently, that this momentum would translate into much fanfare at the 2010 Canadian International AutoShow. Well, not really. Companies instead chose to play the safe card, showing restrained optimism and enthusiasm in what is the country’s largest auto show.


Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet (photo: Michael Wong)

Of course, some couldn’t resist. After all, it might as well be in their genes. Flashing sexy models next to Chrysler cars, for instance, is proof that you can still do it the good old-fashioned way. Chrysler actually unveiled a near American-spec variant of the Fiat 500, thus confirming that the once-mighty giant is rising from the ashes of bankruptcy quite fast.

Hot new products are coming from other brands as well. Ford, which introduced the all-new 2012 Focus, boasts the largest display of all — a clear sign that its "Way Forward" plan bears solid fruit.

The show’s downsizing (two buildings instead of three like last year) has been eclipsed by a number of special exhibits. The most impressive, in my opinion, is probably the exclusive section showcasing some of Carroll Shelby’s greatest masterpieces, including the original Ford GT 40, a few prototypes developed in conjunction with Ford and a spotless, priceless edition of the Cobra Daytona 427 Coupe.

And then there’s the long list of hybrids and electric cars making their debut in the country. Some of them, like the Kia Forte Koup Hybrid, have yet to be announced for the Canadian market.


Mitsubishi PX-MiEV (photo: Michael Wong)

Finally, several all-new vehicles and concepts that premiered at major auto shows around the world earlier this season made their way to Toronto, including the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet, Volkswagen NCC and Mitsubishi PX-MiEV.

In the end, this year’s CIAS mirrors the auto industry as a whole: interesting and dynamic, but with some reserve.

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Did you attend the show gen?

 

i think if i had gone I'd be screaming about it all over the place with pictures and whatnot.

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Hi buddies, I am a new member eager to know all automotive news and information. I am really interested. Thanks to all members. Here this genuine good thread. I am grateful the members who are sharing their important topics here.

 

very nice pictures!

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