Good things in small(ish) packages
Subcompact, compact and mid-size cars are among the offerings at the auto show; Chris Chase highlights three
Many Quebecers are fans of small cars, and there are a handful of interesting ones being introduced to Canada at the Montreal auto show. Mitsubishi Mirage Mitsubishi has never sold a subcompact car in Canada under its own name; the Colt, a small Mitsubishi-built car sold by Chrysler until the mid-1990s, is the closest they ever came. Quebec has been Mitsu’s best Canadian market since it opened for business here 10 years ago, so the company chose Montreal as the place to stage the North American unveiling of its new subcompact, the Mirage.
The Mirage is already on sale in other markets; assuming there are no major changes for the Canadian version, it will be powered by a three-cylinder engine and offered with a choice of manual or continuously variable transmissions. This four-door hatchback will compete with existing subcompacts such as the Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio and Honda Fit. Mazda6 The mid-sized Mazda6 has been around since 2003, when it replaced the 626, so this company is no newbie to the family-sedan market. The 6, however, has never come close to making the sales impact that the smaller Mazda3 has.
Naturally, Mazda hopes to change that with the 2014 Mazda6, which makes its Canadian auto-show debut here in Montreal. It’s a handsome car, and under that chiselled sheet metal is the second of the brand’s SkyActiv gasoline engines, a 2.5-litre four-cylinder. This car also heralds the introduction of Mazda’s i-ELOOP technology, a regenerative braking system that aims to further improve fuel economy.
Sadly, a dashing station-wagon version will not make it to our shores, but we are hopeful Mazda will follow through on a promise to offer this car with its SkyActivD diesel engine. The Mazda6 is set to go on sale across Canada in early 2013 with a starting price of $24,495.
Kia Forte Korean carmaker Kia is showing its second-generation compact Forte in Montreal, where it makes its Canadian debut (see photo on Page J2). The first-generation’s angular look is replaced by smoother lines that link it stylistically with the subcompact Rio and midsized Optima.
The 2014 Forte will be sold in LX and EX trims, powered by a choice of new 1.8- and 2.0-litre engines, replacing last year’s 2.0- and 2.4-litre motors. The 1.8-litre cars will be offered with a choice of manual or automatic transmissions, but the up-level EX is expected to use the 2.0-litre exclusively with the automatic. Notable chassis additions include a gimmicky adjustable steering system borrowed from parent company Hyundai.
Expect the new Forte to follow Kia’s theme of packing in standard equipment at bargain prices. The new Forte goes on sale in early 2013 as a sedan only. Given the popularity of hatchbacks in Can- ada, we suspect a hatchback variant will follow either later in 2013, or next year as a 2015 model.