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Toyota plans hybrid-powered Supra
DAVID COOPER/TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTO
Toyota’s FT-HS hybrid concept debuted at the Detroit auto show in 2007.
Say "hybrid," and images of a sporty, rear-drive coupe probably don't dance in your head. But plans to produce a hybrid successor to the long-gone Toyota Supra are back on, according to reports.
Originally seen as the FT-HS Hybrid Sports Car at the Detroit auto show in 2007, the Supra follow-up was due in showrooms this year, but put on indefinite hold because of the current recession.
However, with many in the auto industry thinking the worst is over, Toyota is working on launching the sporty coupe sometime in 2011, and it looks like a gas-only version will be joining the lineup.
The gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain is expected to be a derivative of the 3.5-litre V6 mated to the electric drive system found in the (Japan-only) Crown Hybrid, with 400 hp to the rear wheels. The gas-only FT-HS will sport a V6 with the same displacement.
Don't be surprised if the next evolution of the FT-HS pops up at this November's Tokyo auto show.
Hyundai looks ahead
Another automaker that seems to be riding out the recession quite well, thank you, is Hyundai.
The Korean automaker is one of the few in Canada along with Audi, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Subaru and Volkswagen that has increased its sales over last year. With that success comes the much-need cash for new products. And according to Autoweek.nl, the automaker has plenty of "new" planned for the next few years.
First up is a replacement for the FWD Tiburon sports coupe.
Based on the Veloster concept that debuted at the 2007 Seoul auto show, the production version is set to be unveiled this fall's Frankfurt show.
Expect the new Tiburon to go on sale in Canada late next year.
By late 2010, a small, Mazda5-like Hyundai mini-minivan based on the Elantra Touring platform slated for Europe may end up here. It could seat as many as seven and be a more fuel replacement for the larger Entourage minivan.
The following year, an all-new mid-size Sonata arrives. In addition to gas-only four- and six-cylinder engines, expect a hybrid version as well. Reportedly, for the first time, a Sonata wagon will join the sedan
Not confirmed, but also expected in the same period, are replacements for the Tucson and Santa Fe crossovers.
So much for `North America'
The preliminary "long list" of nominees for the 2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards has been released. And the initial group illustrates how global the North American new-car market has become.
Of the list of 37 vehicles, 12 come from Japan brands, 11 from European makes, 11 domestic offerings and three from Korea.
The 2010 car of the year candidates are: the Audi S4, BMW Z4, BMW 335d, BMW 5-series Gran Turismo, Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Fusion/Fusion Hybrid, Ford Mustang/GT500, Ford Taurus/Taurus SHO, Honda Insight, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Kia Forte, Kia Soul, Lexus HS 250h, Lotus Evora, Mazda 3/Mazdaspeed 3, Mercedes E-class, Nissan Cube, Nissan 370Z, Porsche Panamera, Subaru Legacy, Suzuki Kizashi, Toyota Prius and Volkswagen Golf/Golf TDI.
The 2010 Truck of the Year candidates are: the Acura ZDX, BMW X5 xDrive35d, Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Transit Connect, GMC Terrain, Honda Crosstour (name to be officially announced later), Land Rover LR4, Lincoln MKT, Subaru Outback, Toyota 4Runner and Volvo XC60.
North American automotive media will cull a short list before the winners are the announced in January. The Hyundai Genesis and the Ford F-150 won last year.
Imports or domestics?
Just as imports have taken the lion's share in new-car sales, European and Asian automakers are also expected to assemble more vehicles in Canada and the U.S. than domestic brands from General Motors, Chrysler and Ford by 2012.
According to a study released this week by restructuring consultants Grant Thornton, the number of vehicles made by the Detroit Three are expected to drop by more than 4 million units, or 35 per cent, to 7.5 million vehicles by 2012 as a result of slashed production and plant closures to better align with real (i.e., weaker) market demand.
By that time, all other North American automakers combined – Volkswagen, Toyota and Hyundai – will jump by about 20 per cent to more than 8 million units.
"A new order is emerging where the Detroit companies may no longer be the volume leaders in their home market," said Grant Thornton's Kimberly Rodriguez.
The biggest impact will be with the auto parts industry.
Rodriguez said suppliers largely dependent on the Detroit Three will have to present a new "value equation" to potential import customers if they want to "participate in the accelerated shift that is coming."
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