Canny Japan automakers weigh wow factor
Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Acura unveil their future
DETROIT, MICH. — Japanese auto manufacturers were unusually circumspect at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Smaller companies such as Mazda and Subaru did not debut anything, having launched new products at the Los Angeles Auto Show in late November. And Mitsubishi wasn’t even present at the show. Neither was Suzuki, having recently announced it was pulling out of the U.S. market.
That left the larger manufacturers — Toyota, Nissan and Honda — to strut their stuff. But, instead of overtly touting green technologies such as hybrids and electric vehicles Toyota and Honda mostly focused on concepts and near-production-ready vehicles for popular and profitable market segments. 2014 Acura MDX prototype
Acura’s debut of the 2014 MDX prototype offers a “strong indication” of the styling and design direction for the third-generation, seven-passenger SUV, while improving performance fuel economy and luxury, said Mike Accavitti, vicepresident of national marketing for Acura U.S.
The prototype reflects a 16 per cent gain in aerodynamic efficiency, compared with the 2013 MDX. Acura says the MDX prototype’s exterior and arcing roofline also make for an even more spacious and versatile cabin with more second-row legroom and improved thirdrow seat access.
The 2014 MDX will also feature a new, more rigid and lightweight chassis, including new front and rear suspensions. A direct-injected 3.5L i-VTEC SOHC V6 engine with variable cylinder management will, says Acura, deliver improved torque and performance while reducing fuel consumption “to classleading levels.” Attention was also paid to improving cabin quietness. Acura NSX concept
Acura also showed a more updated version of the NSX Concept, showcasing further evolution of the upcoming supercar’s styling and design, including a first look at one “possible” direction for the interior design.
This newest concept maintains the low and wide stance and proportions of the original NSX concept, which first debuted at the 2012 NAIAS. When it comes to market in about two years, the production NSX will be powered by a mid-mounted, direct-injected V6 mated to Acura’s SH-AWD (super handling all-wheel drive) system.
Honda Urban SUV concept
Based on the next-generation Fit platform, Honda’s Urban SUV concept looks like it will compete with small compact crossovers such Buick’s new Encore when it comes to market in mid-2014. The company said the production version — part of Honda’s global com- pact series — will feature its earth dreams technology — Honda’s latest-generation fuel-efficient engines with low environmental impact.
The production Urban will be priced and positioned below the CR-V. It will use the Fit’s centre-tank layout and its configurable “magic seat” setup that provides numerous passenger and cargo options.
John Mendel, executive vice-president of sales at American Honda, says the concept aims to provide a fun-to-drive and fuel-efficient small SUV with “aspirational design, flexible packaging and next-generation connectivity targeting active lifestyle customers.” The concept styling showcases strong character lines and a wide stance, with hidden rear door handles giving it a coupe-like presence. The Urban SUV concept is 228 mm shorter than the CR-V, making it ideal for both city streets and open mountain roads.
Toyota Corolla Furia concept
Toyota kicked off the Detroit auto show with the Corolla Furia concept, a sporty compact sedan that revealed styling cues that “consumers can expect to see” on the next-generation Corolla, the most popular model the company sells in Canada and the second-most popular in the United States.
The concept is an exterior styling study by Toyota designers, and it builds on the automaker’s product development mandate to create more dramatic, “expressively designed” vehicles.
“The Corolla Furia concept is an early indicator of where our compact car design may lead in the future,” said Bill Fay, group vice-president and general manager of Toyota’s U.S. division. “It blends a heightened emphasis on dramatic design and modern elements of high technology to generate curb appeal that will surprise a lot of people.”
The Furia is a most un-Corolla-like interpretation of the compact sedan, targeting a younger, hipper audience with an aggressive stance and 19-inch alloy wheels pushed to the car’s corners, with short overhangs to help emphasize the long, 2,700-millimetre wheelbase.
The design includes a swept windshield, sloped roofline and pronounced fender flares. The aggressively styled front fascia, with a blacked-out grille treatment, also highlights a pair of sculpted front LED headlamps that combine with the rear composite LED tail light assemblies. Carbon-fibre accents enhance the Furia’s wheelwells, rocker panels and rear valance.
2014 Lexus IS
Tired of playing second fiddle to the German automakers in the very competitive and lucrative compact sport sedan segment, Lexus unveiled an all-new, longer and far more aggressive IS model range consisting of the IS 250, IS 350 and F Sport in both rear- and all-wheel drivetrains.
Also, for Europe, Japan and select international markets (not North America), the IS 300h becomes the first IS to come with Lexus Hybrid Drive.
“The IS has always been precise and fun to drive,” said Mark Templin, Lexus U.S. group vice-president and general manager. “The all-new IS kicks it up a notch with true sport sedan driving dynamics, state-of-the-art onboard technologies, and an all-new design that makes it look fast even when it’s standing still.”
The engine lineup is unchanged from the previousgeneration IS, with the IS 250 powered by a 204-hp 2.5-litre V6 and the IS 350 featuring a 306-hp 3.5L V6.
However, the new models adopt a drive mode select system, which offers switchable driving modes — eco, normal, sport and, for the IS 350 only, sport S+.
Toyota says the 2014 IS is the first Lexus model to adopt G force artificial intelligence (G-AI) control in Sport mode. This system automatically selects the optimal gear and downshift pattern in response to G force, and maintains the selected gear through a corner.
The rear-drive IS 350 inherits the eight-speed sport direct shift ( SPDS) automatic transmission from the IS F high-performance sedan, with quicker shifts, full torque converter lockup and throttle blips for down-shifts in manual mode. The rest of the model range comes with a six-speed automatic.
IS F Sport models are the recipient of dynamic enhancements, in addition to exclusive exterior and interior design features. Both the front and rear suspensions and electric power steering are re-tuned for the F Sport. An adaptive variable suspension system is set up for F Sports, while variable gear ratio steering is also offered on the IS 350.
The IS goes on sale this summer.