Let’s start with a disclaimer. Some of us at AutoTrader.ca love motorcycles just as much as we love cars. If motorcycles are anywhere in our presence we will inevitably gravitate to them. 

So that’s what happened at this year’s Toronto auto show. We showed up to check out and write about the cars, and we ended up sitting on a bunch of motorcycles, trying them out for size and aesthetics.

It’s not our fault. They shouldn’t have brought them here. 

And now we have to tell you which ones were our favourites.

Ducati Desmosedici 16RR (photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

• Ducati Desmosedici 16RR — A race replica if there ever was one. Pretty much the same bike that contested the 2006 MotoGP season — but with lights and a muffler. $85,000. 212 mph. 210 hp. Carbon fibre everything. Only 1,500 made worldwide. Three went to RevCycles of Toronto, who brought one of them to the show.  

• Buell 1125R — New urban warrior from Buell, featuring Rotax 1,146 cc V-twin with a torque curve like a table top. Twin, side-mounted radiators, so engine can be far forward, to get more weight on the front wheel. 

• Harley-Davidson 1200 Nightster — Harley Davidson of Toronto added some chopper bars and few more black bits to this already matte black machine, and presto — a super cool chopper.

Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle

• Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle — the new model in the liquid-cooled V-Rod line, and in a stretched-out dragster idiom. 

• Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Ultra Classic — new three-wheeled Harley, and featuring lots of amenities (including a trunk), and a 1,700 cc motor. 

• Orange Country “Production” Chopper — Harley-Davidson of Toronto is a now carrying the production bikes made by the famous Teutul family. Our fav of the three on display was the Splitback. 

• 50th Anniversary Triumph Bonneville — tasteful treatment and one of only 650 worldwide and 16 in Canada.

CanAm Spyder (photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

• CanAm Spyder — Cousin of the Ski-Doo, this three-wheeler packs a 990 cc Rotax V-twin, and promises to be entertaining — and stable, thanks to an advanced stability control system from Bosch. 

• Honda DN-01 — Radical and automatic transmission don’t seem to go hand in hand, but they do this time. The DN-01 is easy to ride, cool to look at.

• BMW K1300R — BMW didn’t bring too many bikes to the show, but we were glad this 173-hp black bomber was one them. 

Toronto might not have hosted the World premiere of the 2010 BMW Z4 roadster, but the Toronto International Auto Show is this cars Canadian debut.

This two-seat roadster will be available in Canada with two engine options, a normally-aspirated 3.0-liter, straight six which produces 255hp (sDrive30i), or a twin-turbo variant of that engine which produces 300hp (sDrive35i).

Photo: Isaac Adams-Hands

Both models come with a six-speed manual gearbox, while the new seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is only reserved for the sDrive35i model.

Despite its performance, the features people will be talking about mostly will be its stunning new appearance and its clever folding hard-top roof, which can be raised or lowered in just 20 seconds.

The new Z4 will be in the showrooms by this July, so if you havenʼt been hit too badly by the credit-crunch, you can park one of these on your driveway this summer.

Well, there will be one more squared off vehicle in the market — the Nissan Cube. It made its Canadian debut at Toronto, and should be in Canadian delaerships this spring. And you didn’t have to search far to see more square. Here’s our favorite right-angled rides on evidence at this year’s Toronto show…

Land Rover

• Nissan Cube — square, for fashion sake. Also the purist cube out out there.

• Ford Transit — squarish, for light-delivery sake.

• Mercedes-Benz G-Class — square, because, well someone forgot to unsquare it a while back and now it’s uber cool in a retro and distinctive way, which partially justifies its outlandish price ($110,000-plus).   

• Zenn NEV —  squarish and space effecient, for electricty sake.

• Nissan NV2500 Concept — square, for commerical sake. A travelling Home Depot.

• Land Rover LR3 — square, because it’s the Land Rover way.

• Ford Flex — square, to differentiate itself from the crossover pack.

• Mitsubishi iMiEV — not really square, but really close to a “one-box” design.

• Jeep Wrangler Unlimited — square and all four doors come off.

• Nissan Forum Concept — square out back, more organic up front, and strangley elegant overall for a minivan.

Like any auto industry, Canada’s is struggling to adapt to the massive structural changes going on worldwide in the business and manufacture of the automobile. Let’s hope we come out of the other end of this restructuring as winners and innovators. And why shouldn’t we? 

Honda Civic is built in Alliston, Ontario (photo: Honda)

In the meantime, we still build lots of vehicles, and Canadian plants continue to rank high in quality indexes. 

So let’s quickly review which vehicles on the show floor of the Toronto auto show were built by our Canadian brothers and sisters.

We’ll start with the two new names on the list, and what’s great about both of them, is that they’re not typical cars.

Can Am Spyder 

Can Am Spyder is built by Bombardier Recreational Products, in Valcourt, Quebec (photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

Okay, this one is not even close to being any kind of car. But it is a road going vehicle, and a very cool one. This three-wheeler is built by Bombardier Recreational Products, in Valcourt, Quebec, on a line right beside the line where the Ski-Doo is built. This is Can Am’s first auto show appearance. Scott MacWilliam, the division’s district sales manager, is confident car show visitors will be drawn to the trike. “The Spyder is blend between a sports car and motorcycle, so it fits well with this audience.”

Zenn 

This all-electric car is part of the GTA in Motion display, and is also made in the province of Quebec (St. Jerome), which makes sense, because Quebec is one of the few provinces to legalize these low-speed neighborhood vehicles (NEV), which are governed to go no faster than 40 k/hr.

Alliston, Ontario

- Acura CSX

- Acura MDX

- Honda Civic

- Honda Ridgeline 

Bramalea, Ontario

- Chrysler 300C

- Dodge Challenger

- Dodge Charger

Cambridge, Ontario

- Toyota Corolla 

- Toyota Matrix

*Cambridge is home to Toyota’s manufacturing base in Canada

Ingersoll, Ontario

- Chevrolet Equinox 

- Pontiac Torrent 

- Suzuki XL7 

*These crossovers are all built in Ingersoll, Ont., at CAMI, the assembly plant owned jointly by GM and Suzuki.

Oakville, Ontario

- Lincoln MKT 

- Lincoln MKX

- Ford Edge 

- Ford Flex

* MKT is making its Canadian premiere in Toronto.

Oshawa, Ontario

Cars:

- Buick Allure

- Chevrolet Camaro

- Chevrolet Impala 

* GM Canada’s R&D facility at Oshawa was also responsible for Impala’s last round of engineering updates. Camaro and Allure are all-new, or in the case of the re-born Camaro, all-new again.

Trucks:

- Chevrolet Silverado

- GMC Sierra

* These pickups are also made at Oshawa, but not for long. The plant is scheduled to be shut down sometime in 2009.

St. Thomas, Ontario

- Ford Crown Victoria

- Lincoln Town Car

- Mercury Grand Marquis 

* Ranked at the very top for North American content — 90 percent of every Crown Vic is made from Canadian or American built parts. The Mercury comes in at 85 percent, and the Lincoln comes in at 80 percent. (Source: National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration).

Windsor, Ontario

- Chrysler Town & Country 

- Dodge Grand Caravan

- VW Routan 

* Let’s hope that the electric Town & Country EV concept on display at Toronto gets the go-ahead and finds a home at Windsor also.

Woodstock, Ontario

- Lexus RX350

- Toyota RAV4

One of the main attractions for many to go to an auto show, is to see concept cars.

Quite often, concept cars give an insight into what we might be driving in a few years time.

However, just like cars you can buy, not all of them are good. So here is a look at the ‘Good’, the ‘Bad’ and the ‘Crazy’ concepts from this years Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS)

In the ‘Good’ category,  there is the Nissan NV2500 which made its ‘World Premiere’ at the CIAS. This concept commercial vehicle is fitted with a host of gadgets to show what a commercial vehicle is capable of being. However, with its Cummins diesel engine and ZF-automatic gearbox, it shows just how production ready this vehicle also is. In fact, Nissan did announce that this vehicle will enter production next year, so you will be seeing plumbers and delivery companies driving around in this in the near future.

Honda FC-Sport (Photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

The Nissan Forum minivan concept might take a little longer, as Nissan has not formally announced its production plans. I personally hope they do replace the quirky Quest with the Forum, as this futuristic minivan is quite attractive. With swiveling seats and zoned entertainment systems, this could be the family hauler we all would want on a long road trip.

My personal favorite concept was the Kia Koup. This stylish coupe looks great, and given Kia’s pricing strategy, I am sure it would be affordable too. It has a potent power-plant too, a 2.0 liter, turbo-charged, four-cylinder unit that produces 290hp. A Kia rep did confirm that a coupe will be offered by the automaker in the very near future. If it looks like the Koup concept, I am sure it’ll do very well.

However, not all concepts were good, and I have to say, that the BMW 7-series ActiveHybrid has to be placed under the ‘Bad’ category.

This concept is based on the 2009, 7-series, which is in showrooms now, only that the concept has a hybrid drive-train, and not a very good one in my view. You see it only has a mild-hybrid system, not a full-hybrid, so the electric motors just work as generators to run the cars electrical systems. So you can’t move the vehicle on electric power alone. This is disappointing, especially since Lexus offers full-hybrid sedans to the public already.

Also in the ‘Bad’ category, I have to place the Subaru G4e, mainly because it is revoltingly ugly. Sure its all-electric powertrain is very impressive, and its lithium-ion batteries would give this car a 200km range on a full charge. This is very good, but I ask, did it need to look this ugly, and why was it painted toxic green?

So the Subaru had a crazy color, but the ‘Craziest’ concept car award has to go to the Honda FC-Sport. This thing looks like a magnified HotWheels model, and which car enthusiast wouldn’t want that. It’s wild styling is complimented by its wild interior layout, a three-seater, with the driver sitting in the middle (like in the McLaren F1). Plus with its hydrogen fuel-cell technology (borrowed from the Honda FC Clarity, which has been put in limited production for certain markets), this is one concept car that shows that going green can also be cool as ice.

Chances are slim to none for the FC-Sport to go into production (make that none), but its technology is a reality, and that means one day we will be driving around in hydrogen powered sports cars. Can’t wait.

It was the Sixties. Muscle cars and American V8 power ruled over North America and Japanese manufacturers were still bit players. Nissan was called Datsun on this continent at the time and in 1969, it launched an all-new sports car as a 1970 model. With classic long-hood, short-tail sports car proportions and sharp styling, it was called the Fairlady Z in Japan but Nissan’s visionary US president Yutaka Katayama correctly believed that the name would not fly well here. He decided to call it the 240Z to evoke the 2.4-litre displacement of its engine. With the 151 horsepower of this inline, single overhead cam six-cylinder powerplant, the original ‘Z’ offered the performance of European sports cars of the time with much better comfort and reliability, at a very competitive price. It was a smash hit and pretty well rang the death knell of British sports cars in North America. Nissan proudly points out that it sold a half-million ‘Z’ cars in ten years while Corvette sales needed 25 years to reach this milestone. 

1970 Nissan Fairlady z

The car’s model name changed to Datsun 260Z in 1974 when engine displacement was bumped up to 2.6 litres. The Z also became available as a 2+2 on a wheelbase stretched 11.9 inches (302 mm). Its svelte silhouette was further compromised the following year with the addition of clumsy bumpers dictated by new safety regulations in the US. Engine displacement was bumped up again, this time to 2.8 litres, in an effort to counter the horsepower and torque-robbing effects of the first emissions-reducing measures. The model designation thus changed again, to 280Z.

The launch of a new version prompted yet another name change to Nissan 300ZX in 1985 as the carmaker dropped the name Datsun to make Nissan the only brand for its vehicles worldwide. This new car also became the first Z to be powered by a V6 engine and the first to be available with turbo power. The naturally-aspirated version of this 3.0-litre single overhead cam engine was rated at 160 horsepower and the turbocharged variant at 200 horsepower. The Z had long been a successful racer too. In 1985, legendary actor/racer Paul Newman won the SCCA National championship in GT1 at the wheel of 300ZX. It was the 50^th national title for the Z.

An entirely new Z car was launched as a 1989 model, with sleek styling and an all-new platform with leading-edge features such as a kinematic, multi-link independent rear suspension. It was offered as both a two-seater and as a 2+2, on a 120-millimetre longer wheelbase. A 300ZX Turbo version was introduced for the 1990 model year, powered by a twin-turbocharged, 300-horsepower, 3.0-litre V6. The 300ZX was retired in 1996 after a twenty-six year run and a new Z sports car announced in 1999. The Concept Z was a hit at the Detroit auto show. Production of an all-new 350Z started in 2002 and it was introduced as a 2003 model, in coupe form. It was powered by a 3.5-litre, 287-horsepower V6 engine. A new 350Z Roadster was launched as a 2004 model. Horsepower was upped to 306 horsepower along with a slight restyling for the 2007 model year.

Nissan has revamped the Z car again for the 2010 model year. The 370Z gets a naturally-aspirated 3.7-litre V6 that develops 36 horsepower more than the twin-turbocharged V6 in the former 300ZX Turbo. The 370Z is lighter and wider than its immediate predecessor, under a fresh interpretation of the modern Z’s distinctive profile, penned by Canadian designer Randy Rodriguez. With an extremely competitive base price of $39,998, the newest Z renews with the clear focus and exceptional value of the original 240Z. It has everything to become, once again, a sports car for the times.

Does this cube design thing have legs? Should we be scared? Will box-like devices multiply, and then rise up, and in a show of force, destroy all aerodynamic vehicles? For answers to these questions we asked automotive design expert, Michael Pistol. He calmed our fears.

Pistol notes that box-like structures, like the new Nissan Cube, can be successful, but only as a quirky, niche vehicle: “Cars like the Cube and the Smart are designed for a very urbanized environment. In North American, we’ve never embraced that design idiom — because we didn’t have to — we have all this space.”

Photo: Isaac Adams-Hands

Pistol adds that the North American automotive experience is more about hitting the open road, and for that, you want sleek, wind cheating shapes. People can picture themselves running around the city core in a box, but if they’re picturing themselves cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway in California, it’s probably in something more aerodynamic than a steel garden shed.

He also notes that people are not emotionally drawn to boxes, so the decision to select a vehicle with box-like elements, will be based more on specific needs — like the family man who needs a Town & Country, or the contractor who needs a Dodge Sprinter. So he expects the new boxy “commercial” stuff at the show, like the Ford Transit and Nissan NV2500 to be also well accepted and certain to fill a need in the marketplace (if and when they get there). 

The squarish Ford Flex is a bit of an anomaly, in that it is neither urban vehicle or commercial vehicle. So it looks like a gusty call by Ford, to differentiate itself in the crossover market with such a design. 

Minivanʼs are often considered ʽuncoolʼ, hence the reason many manufacturers have dumped the minivan from their line-up and replaced them with large cross-overs.

Nissan however still believes in the minivan segment, and hopes to make it ʽcoolʼ with vehicles like the Forum concept.

Nissan Forum (photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

One look at this vehicle and you can see that this isnʼt your ordinary minivan. Its spaceship like styling and huge rims are certainly pleasing to the eye, but the main attraction is inside where you get a ʽzone for parents upfront and a kids zone in the back.ʼ

With every kind of modern gadgetry on board, you are not likely to be bored in this minivan, it even has swiveling seats so you turn it into a conference room while on the move.

Nissan hasnʼt announced any production plans for the Forum for now, and hence no powertrain has been mentioned, but you can bet that the familiar 3.7-liter, V6 would be on the cards if this vehicle gets the green light, which I hope this vehicle gets.

The Toronto International Auto Show got to have a world premiere for the first time, as the Nissan NV2500 Concept made its first public debut in Toronto.

The NV2500 Concept is Nissan’s idea of what a commercial vehicle should be like, and is confident that when it goes into production in fall of 2010, it will appeal to North American buyers.

Nissan NV2500 (Photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

Upfront is a Cummins diesel V8 engine (petrol V8 will also be offered) mated to a ZF-five speed automatic gearbox.

It will be available in two heights, a regular roof and a high-roof, although only one length has been announced so far.

It’s cargo area is very flexible and can be modified to serve all manner of set-ups. Nissan calls it a “rolling idea lab”.

It will be built at Nissan’s Canton, Missouri facility, where the Titan pick-up is currently being produced.

So if the lease on your Dodge Sprinter expires next year, you’ll have another option to pick from.

Despite tough economic times, Ford is pushing ahead with its product plan, and at the forefront is their new 2010 Taurus.

Once the best-selling car in North America, Ford is hoping that it will win new and previous customers with the new Taurus, which Ford says will be ʽan aspirational car.ʼ

2010 Ford Taurus (photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

At launch time, Ford is only offering one engine for the Taurus, a 3.5-liter, V6 which produces 263hp.

However, Ford also just announced the return of the Taurus SHO, which will come with their new Eco-Boost, turbocharged engine, which will develop 365hp. Plus you get a ʽSelectShiftʼ gearbox to play with on those enthusiastic drives.

The new Taurus is also available with a host of luxury features like adaptive cruise control, collision warning with brake support, intelligent push-button start, and a new feature Ford calls ʽMyKeyʼ which allows parents to activate a restricted driving mode for when they lend the car to the kids.

The new Taurus will be Fordʼs new flagship sedan and its vast array of features are certainly impressive. Look for it in showrooms later this year.

There is no doubt, that the Toyota Prius is the most successful hybrid on the market. Itʼs impressive fuel-economy and practicality has made it ʽtheʼ choice vehicle for everyone looking to go green, even Hollywood celebrities.

Toyota has now unveiled the third-generation Prius, which can be seen for the first time in Canada at the 2009 Toronto International Auto Show.

Toyota Prius (Photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

The 2010 Prius promises to be even more efficient than the outgoing model. Toyota says, the new Prius will achieve 3.8-liters/100km on a combined cycle, which will easily make it the most fuel-efficient car in the Canadian market, even better than other competitors diesel offerings. The new Prius achieves this with the help of its new EV-Drive mode, which allows this car to travel on strictly electric power for about 2 km, if conditions permit.

Another reason for its impressive fuel-economy is its improved aerodynamics, which has a drag co-efficient of just 0.25, lowest of any current production car.

The new Prius goes on sale in Canada later this year.

The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox made its Canadian debut at the Toronto Autoshow. The compact crossover draws its exterior design inspiration from the Chevrolet Malibu sedan and Traverse crossover. 

It has a new 2.4-litre, 182-hp, four-cylinder engine that gets 25% better fuel economy than its predecessor (10.1L/100 km city and 6.7L/100 km highway). That’s a significant improvement that should get the attention of SUV-leery showgoers. A new 255-hp, 3.0-litre V6 version also is available, as is an all-wheel drive option. General Motors says models with either engine will have a driving range of more than 1,000 km. 

2010 Chevrolet Equinox

Standard features include six air bags, four-wheel disc brakes with StabiliTrak electronic stability control and traction control, OnStar and a ‘smart’ remote starting system that also activates the HVAC system and optional heated seats depending on the outside temperature. 

The new Equinox retains its MultiFlex rear seat capability, which allows the seat to be moved fore or aft nearly 203 mm, for the best rear legroom in its class. The cargo area has 889 L of storage.

Surprisingly, Cadillac used the Toronto Autoshow to boast about a small engine. That’s right, Cadillac! In fact, this redesigned Caddy crossover offers the smallest engine the marque offers in any of its North American products. 

The 2010 Cadillac SRX offers a choice of two high-tech six-cylinder engines that are new to the marque. A new, 3.0-L direct injected V6 is standard; optional is a new, 2.8-L turbocharged V6. Both engines employ technology that helps produce strong performance that is typical of larger-displacement engines. Direct injection enables a 25 per cent reduction in hydrocarbon emissions. Highway fuel consumption of about 8.5L/100 km is expected.

Cadillac SRX (photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

The optional all-wheel-drive system includes an advanced electronic limited-slip differential that distributes torque as needed from side-to-side along the rear axle, as well as from the front to rear axle. 

The SRX seats five and can tow up to 1,588 kg.

The compact 2010 Kia Forte (pronounced for-tay) replaces the Spectra sedan. Redesigned inside and out, it boasts a new, sporty front end with a wide bumper. Slim four-bulb headlamps are covered with a clear lens with a black aluminum bezel for a high-tech look. Overall, the design is clean and sleek. Three trim levels are being offered: LX, EX and SX.

The Forte’s high-tech look continues on the interior, with a symmetrical, high-visibility display. A stylistically enhanced, three-spoke steering wheel features built-in multi device controllers on the spokes for ease of operation. There’s seating room for five passengers and 416 L of cargo space.

Kia Forte (photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

Power in the base LX model comes from a four-cylinder, 2.0-L DOHC engine producing 156 hp. It’s mated to a CVT (continuously variable transmission). The SX gets a 2.4-L inline-four delivering 173 hp, which can be selected with a six-speed manual transmission for extra sportiness. 

The front-wheel-drive Forte has an independent front suspension with MacPherson struts and a stabilizer bar, and a torsion beam rear suspension with struts and coil springs.

Active front headrests are standard, as are dual front airbags, curtain airbags and side airbags, and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS.

Ford of Canada has reasons to celebrate, as not only the Oakville, On. built Ford Flex won the ‘Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year’ award by AJAC (Automobile Journalist Association of Canada), but also that the new Lincoln MKT crossover is contracted to be built in Oakville too.

The MKT is heavily based on the Flex, and retains its seven-seater layout. However, while the Flex makes do with a 3.5-liter, V6, the MKT gets a 3.7-liter, V6 which produces 268hp. The 3.5-liter, EcoBoost, turbo-charged V6 with 355hp will also be available on this vehicle.

Lincoln MKT (Photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

The MKT also gets “Active Park Assist”, which parallel parks the car for you pretty much, plus other impressive features like adaptive cruise control, auto high beam headlights, rain sensing wipers and “EasyFuel” capless fuel-filler system, so you won’t ever struggle with a stubborn fuel cap on a cold winters morning.

The MKT certainly offers leading-edge technology and it will be in showrooms later this year.

Have you ever gone to an auto show, fallen in love with a car, and wondered who designed it, and what cars inspired them when they were growing up?

I caught up with two very talented designers at the 2009 Canadian International Auto Show, to ask two designers some questions.

Ralph Gilles, Chrysler (Photo: Nauman Farooq)

On hand were Randy Rodriguez from Nissan, and Ralph Gilles from Chrysler, both of whom are originally from Canada.

Rodriguez, 31, has been with Nissan since 2002, working with the design team at Nissan Design America in San Diego, Ca.

While he has worked on many project, the 370Z is his pride and joy, as his design was hand-picked from all the various entries from Nissan designers from around the world.

This was especially emotional for Rodriguez, as he grew up admiring the Z-car since he was a kid.

Randy Rodriguez, Nissan (Photo: Nauman Farooq)

Ralph Gilles from Chrysler has also loved cars since he was a kid. Gilles, 39, has been with Chrysler for many years and is admired the world over for his designs, ranging from the 300C, Charger, Challenger, Ram and the Viper Coupe, to name just a few.

Gilles is a pure petrol-head and enjoys taking part in competition events in Canada and U.S.A.

I asked Randy Rodriguez (RR) and Ralph Gilles (RG) five identical questions as follows:

Q1. What was your favorite car design from when you were a kid?

RR. It was the Datsun Z-car, my brother bought a 280ZX and I fell in love with it. I bought my first Z-car at age 14 and since then have owned 10 Z-cars.

RG. Porsche 930 Turbo with the big whale tail spoiler and the regular nose, not the slant nose.

Q2. What is your favorite car, designed by you?

RR. As far as production cars go, definitely the 370Z.

RG. The Chrysler 300C, because it really started the modern Chrysler design theme.

Q3. What are you working on next?

RR. Canʼt say right now, you have to wait and see. But we start working on a cars replacement almost as soon as a new car hits the showrooms.

RG. We have a lot going on, despite what people might think about our brand in the current economic conditions. We are working more than ever and I see a great resurgence is on the way from Chrysler.

Q4. Where is car design headed?

RR. The trend is going towards passionate designs with more form and expressions. Public now demands great design language even in affordable cars.

RG. Efficiency is playing a big part in design now as aerodynamics are a big part of the equation. What we designers try to do is to offer interesting designs while keeping very aerodynamic shapes. If we just paid attention to aerodynamics, all cars will look the same and will be very boring.

Q5. Which current car from another manufacturer do you like the most?

RR. Current is the Bugatti Veyron, but some recent cars I liked include the Porsche Carrera GT and the Lamborghini Reventon.

RG. I like the Audi R8, Mercedes-Benz CLS, Bentley Continental GT and the Aston Martin DB9. I just love beautiful designs.

It was great to chat with some truly talented car designers. If you want to see their creations in person, be sure to visit this years auto show, itʼs open to the public from Feb. 13 to Feb. 23.

By Marc Lachapelle

Korea’s number one carmaker is on a solid streak. Shortly after winning the overall Car of the Year award from AJAC with its Genesis luxury sedan, Hyundai unveiled the 2010 Genesis Coupe, its next contender, at the CIAS.

Built off the same rear-wheel drive platform as the Genesis sedan, the coupe will be available in two versions. The 2.0T Coupe is powered by a new, direct-injection, Theta II turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder that develops 210 horsepower and has a starting price of $24,495.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe (Photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

The 3.8 Coupe gets an all-aluminum, DOHC V6 that produces 306 horsepower on regular gasoline and is priced at $32,995. Standard are a six-speed manual gearbox, 18-inch alloy wheels, six airbags, electronic stability control and ABS brakes. A premium package adds luxury and power accessories but performance enthusiasts will be more interested in the GT package that adds brakes from Italian master Brembo, a Torsen-type limited -slip differential, 19-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights and special black leather seats with red cloth inserts.

Hyundai is also going racing with the Genesis Coupe in the Canadian Touring Car Championship with a pair of Auto Trader-sponsored cars that will be built at the Sprongl brothers’ famed FourStar Motorsport shop.

They are set only a few metres apart, in the prime spots of Honda’s exhibit at the CIAS. Both vehicles tout their eco-friendliness and yet, a world separates them.

The blue 2010 Insight is a production model aimed at making gas-electric hybrids available to a wider range of buyers. It will be available to Canadian buyers next April.

Honda FC Sport Concept (photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

The FC Sport concept, on the other hand, is as pie-in-the-sky as they come in the realm of automotive prospective, or fantasy. It’s a low-slung and radically-styled ‘design study’ for a three-passenger sports-performance car powered by a hydrogen fuel cell closely related to what Honda is using in its FCH Clarity sedan now in real-world testing phase. The FC’s driver sits in middle and there are seats on each side, set back slightly.

The Insight, on the other hand, has five seats, four doors and a hatch in the rear. It is powered by the latest version of Honda’s gas-electric, series-type hybrid powertrain that makes a 1.3-litre all-aluminum gasoline engine with variable valve timing and a 10-kilowatt (or 13 horsepower) electric motor work together, through a continuously-variable transmission (CVT) with estimated city/highway fuel economy numbers of 4.8 and 4.5 L/100km.