2012 Toronto Auto Show Forecasts Green & Gadget-Savvy Consumer

With 300,000 visitors in 10 days, the Toronto International Auto Show is a testament to the unwavering popularity of the hottest and latest cars, irrespective of gas prices or state of the economy. With an impressive roster of sleeker, greener, and more tech-integrative vehicles, this year’s top trends forecast a consumer that is more environmentally conscious and tech-savvy.

Green rides are definitely one of the hottest trends on the market, with Lexus proudly displaying its full-hybrids with a distinguishing blue logo, seen this year on the LS, GS, RX, HS and CT. According to Stan Williams of Don Valley North Lexus, “By the end of 2012 Toyota/Lexus will have 11 hybrids on offer”. The company also pledged to build a hybrid version of every one of their models for future production.

Lexus hybrid

Electric cars are springing up with some serious pep. With the new Ford Focus and Nissan Leaf getting their fair share of publicity, Mitsubishi presents the fun and compact i-MiEV, which will be Canada’s most affordable mass-produced all-electric at a base MSRP of $32,998. Volkswagen ups its fuel-efficiency game with a gas-electric Jetta that rides on 45mpg, and the Chevy Volt packs a punch, going from 0 to 100 km/h in just 10 seconds.

Mitsubishi i MiEV electric vehicleVW Jetta Diesel

Data-device-using-gadget-loving drivers are getting yet more ways to plug in. BMW’s Vision Connected Drive is a truly visionary futuristic design that wirelessly integrates all your tech devices into the vehicle and set up is surprisingly easy – just carry the device in your pocket and let the car do all the work. Cadillac’s ATS rolls out its new CUE infotainment system which lets your pair data from your smartphone and 10 other Bluetooth-enabled devices, while Kia’s KV7 ‘living room in a car’ brings the comfort of home with a touch-screen computer in the rear that allows a few passengers to connect their smart phones at the same time.

BMW Vision Connected Drive backBMW Vision Connected Drive front

Finally, for a dramatic entrance and exit, a style kudos goes to the Cadillac ULC concept’s scissor doors and the wide-open doors of Infinity’s Etherea concept, as well as Honda’s red hot Accord concept.

Honda Accord Hybrid ConceptInfiniti Etherea Electric ConceptCadillac ULC Concept

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON

in

Autos

Photo of author

Noman

Noman covers automotive news and reviews for Unfinished Man. His passion for cars informs his in-depth assessments of the latest models and technologies. Noman provides readers with insightful takes on today's top makes and models from his hands-on testing and research.

Leave a Comment