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Honda, Toyota in war of minivans
COURTESY OF HONDA
Honda wants you to think of the next Odyssey (see concept drawing, above) as a minivan for drivers.
While most eyes here have been focused on this year's edition of the Canadian International AutoShow, the Chicago Auto Show was also being held. And one of its most important product debuts was the Honda Odyssey concept.
A thinly disguised precursor to the production version coming to Canada as a 2011 model later this fall, the Odyssey concept looks to be taking direct aim at Toyota's also-new-for-2011 Sienna minivan.
More room and a sleeker profile define the third-generation, U.S.-designed Honda minivan's profile.
While Toyota is hoping to add some spice to its minivan owner's driving experience with a sporty Sienna SE edition for 2011, Honda also wants you to think of the next Odyssey as a minivan for drivers.
"Odyssey has gained a high degree of popularity with its fun-to-drive and dynamic nature. The next-generation Odyssey promises to take these strengths to a higher level," said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice-president of Honda Canada.
Less boxy-looking than the current model, expect the production Odyssey to retain the concept's unique side-glass profile with its "lightning-bolt" beltline that was designed to improve visibility for third-row passengers.
Hyundai to debut i-Flow concept at Geneva show
With the media days less than two weeks away, leaks and previews of what to expect at next month's Geneva Motor Show are starting to emerge.
Hyundai has released an image of its Geneva-bound i-Flow concept, ahead of its March 2 debut.
The Korean automaker said the concept is a preview of its next mid-size sedan that will rival other European sedans like the Volkswagen Passat or Ford Mondeo.
Styled at the company's European design office in Germany, Hyundai said the concept is the latest iteration of its new design language, "fluidic sculpture" (also seen on the new, North American 2010 Sonata sedan) and includes new technology like lightweight materials and solar cells.
After two previous concepts, Audi has released images and details of its upcoming, three-door subcompact, the 2011 A1, before its debut in the Swiss city.
Unlike Audi's last supermini – the aluminum-bodied 1999-2005 A2 – the A1 uses a conventional steel body. Similar to premium subcompact rivals like the Fiat 500 and Mini Cooper, the A1 is strictly a four-seater.
In Europe, the front-drive (no Audi Quattro will be available) small Audi will be powered by a range of engines, from a 90 hp 1.6 L turbodiesel to a 122 hp 1.4 L gas mill.
The three-door hatch will go on sale in Europe later this year, with prices starting at around $23,000 (Canadian).
Finally, joining the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano hybrid on the Geneva show floor will be Porsche's first-ever gasoline-electric race car: the all-wheel-drive Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid.
Porsche says the GT3 R Hybrid will be used as a "racing laboratory" to gather knowledge about hybrid technologies under racing conditions.
A derivative of the recently introduced 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 R customer racer, the German automaker said the hybrid version will race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
The GT3 R Hybrid's electric motors develop 161 hp at the front wheels, complementing the more traditional 480 hp 4.0 L gas flat-six that powers the rear wheels.
The German automaker plans to introduce hybrid technology to selected road cars in its lineup.
Alfa Romeo to return
to Canada in two years
The long wait for the return of Alfa Romeo to Canada looks to be coming to an end.
Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, told Automotive News the sporty Italian brand will return to North America within the next 24 months. And one of the new Alfas may be made right here in Ontario.
"I'm a lot more confident now that Alfa Romeo will reconstitute a product offering that is acceptable globally, and more in particular in the United States and Canada," Marchionne said.
Apparently, the first of two Alfas heading our way will use what's being called Fiat-Chrysler "compact-wide" architecture, essentially an enlarged version of a new platform that will first be seen on Alfa's newest product, the European-only Giulietta compact hatchback, set to debut next month at the Geneva show.
The second North American Alfa is a replacement for the aging 166, built off Chrysler's existing large, rear-drive platform.
This as-yet-unnamed second model will arrive in 2013, and may be built alongside the Chrysler 300C, Dodge Charger and Challenger in Chrysler's Brampton plant.
Keep in mind, none of Fiat's plans is etched in stone.
A review of the brand's strategies is due to be completed by April 21. Only after that will parent Fiat confirm a plan for Alfa for the next four years.
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