New models debuting at the show

DAVID COOPER/TORONTO STAR

Audi's 10-cylinder version of its R8.

Jim Kenzie

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

One vehicle steps into the spotlight for its world debut, while 18 vehicles shine on Canadian or North American soil for the first time at the Toronto auto show. They are:

World Debut

Nissan NV2500: Perhaps inspired by the success of the Mercedes-Benz-based Dodge Sprinter commercial van, Nissan is showing its concept for a highly flexible mobile work station in the NV2500. It is a precursor to the Titan pickup truck-based commercial vehicles Nissan will build for North America in its Canton, Miss., assembly plant starting next year.

North American Debut

Volkswagen Golf VI: The sixth generation of the car that launched the modern front-wheel drive transverse-engined hatchback, not to mention a thousand competitors, makes its first public appearance on this side of the Atlantic. A 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine will remain standard, a turbocharged four will come when the GTI variant arrives later in the year.

Canadian Debuts

AUDI

S4 sedan and Avant (wagon): These are hot supercharged versions of the handsome A4 family. These are the best-handling Audi family cars ever, with 333 horsepower, optional seven-speed dual-clutch S-Tronic transmission, full-time four-wheel drive and Audi's new Active Sport differential which automatically directs driving torque to the outer rear wheel in a corner.

R8 5.2: Not many complained about the lack of power in the Audi R8 coupe. But if 420 horsepower isn't enough for you, wait for the R8 5.2 with a 5.2-litre V10 engine that cranks out 525 ponies. Otherwise, the R8 remains uniquely an exotic supercar with everyday usability.

BMW

Z4: The Z4 retractable hardtop sports car replaces both the Z4 roadster and M-Coupe. Styling that is less controversial than the outgoing models broadens the appeal.

Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid: This car, also previewing the new 7 Series that debuts this summer, augments the power of the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 with an electric motor built into the transmission – developed as part of a joint venture with General Motors and Chrysler that has already spawned hybrid versions of full-size SUVs from the two domestic manufacturers.

Chrysler

Town and Country EV: Chrysler's luxurious minivan goes green with this concept vehicle, powered by an electric motor with up to 60 kilometres of range in its battery – which can be recharged by a small gasoline engine driving a generator.

Ford

Taurus: One of the surprise hits of the Detroit show last month, the all-new mid-size Ford family sedan is handsome, full of modern technology and features, and promises engaging driving dynamics. Taurus just might return the Blue Oval to segment dominance.

Lincoln MKT: The Oakville-built cousin to the Ford Edge brings added luxury to the mid-size crossover market, with three rows of seats and tonnes of innovative features. It will also be one of the first vehicles to offer Ford's new EcoBoost engine, a fuel-efficient 3.5-litre direct injection turbocharged V6 with the power of a V8.

General Motors

Cadillac SRX: This attractive luxury crossover debuted in Detroit last month. It's been a while – like forever – since Cadillac boasted about how small an engine it offered, but the 2.8-litre turbo V6 is just that: the smallest it offers in any North American product. Optional is a direct injection 3.0-litre V6.

Chevrolet Equinox: This compact crossover offers a new 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine that gets 25 per cent better fuel economy than the car it replaces, which would make it best-in-class – critical for today's buyer.

Jaguar

XFR: The stunning new-last-year XF sedan-that-looks-like-a-coupe gets 5.0-litre direct injection V8 engines, including a supercharged unit in the new XFR. This is the car that should turn Jaguar around.

Honda

FC Sport: It may not be everybody's idea of a pretty face, but Honda's FC Sport concept is intended to show that green cars don't have to be dull. This fuel-cell powered sports coupe offers supercar performance with outstanding fuel efficiency.

Kia

Forte: The replacement for the compact Spectra sedan has attractive looks, high-feature content, low price and should drive decently. Let's hope they offer it in a hatchback.

Mitsubishi

i MiEV: This is an electric-powered version of a gasoline-engined micro-car that is on sale in Japan. Hence, it has a much better chance than most electric concept cars of actually making it to dealerships. In fact, Mitsubishi is already selling electrics in its home market.

Subaru

G4e: This all-electric car promises a driving range of up to 200 kilometres on a new Subaru-designed lithium ion battery. A full recharge can be done overnight from a home electric outlet; an 80 per cent fast charge can be done in about 15 minutes. Its cheeky, I'm-not-a-boring-electric-car styling is key to any success this car might enjoy.

Toyota

Prius: The third generation of the car that has captured the public's perception as the car of the green future offers 22 per cent more power than the previous version and 7 per cent better overall fuel economy.

Lexus HS 250h: It may not be fair to call the Lexus HS 250h a Prius dipped in gold, but it's not far off, either. Toyota recognizes that most hybrid buyers aren't really in it to save money but to make a statement. On that basis, a hybrid entry-luxury sedan makes perfect sense.

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