Toyota's crazy custom cars make their debut: SEMA 2009

By Vincent Aubé, MSN Autos

Toyota is pulling all the stops this year at the 2009 SEMA in Las Vegas with no less than 21 concepts based on existing models. If some are a bit far-fetched, others are unique and innovative. Sales have been sluggish for the world’s number one car manufacturer over the past few months and the massive recall of millions of vehicles a few weeks ago didn’t help. Still the Japanese brand is betting big at the annual SEMA conference in Sin City, with a well-rounded portfolio of vehicles sure to please tuning and custom-cars buffs. Needless to say, Toyota, Lexus and Scion models aren’t alone on the floor, but the creations exhibited by Toyota deserve attention. Plus, it’s perfect timing for Canadian consumers to check out the Scion division set to launch here next year.

SEMA 2009: GM Concepts at the 2009 SEMA

By Vincent Aubé, MSN Autos

SEMA, the world’s largest trade show for customized vehicles and parts is now in full swing. The show is a window of opportunity that is not to be missed by car manufacturers; they often show up to this November shindig with plenty of ideas. Just like Ford, Toyota and many others, GM is taking advantage of the situation to show off its colorful designs. Despite the fragile economy the number one American manufacturer needs to show that all is well – especially to custom car enthusiasts. This is the year of the Camaro and the General is expected to put a lot of emphasis on its new pony. No fewer than five Chevy Camaros will be officially introduced by GM, plus a Silverado, a specially equipped Corvette Grand Sport and even two Hummer H3s.

SEMA 2009: The WRX STI TRAX Concept

By Vincent Aubé, MSN Autos

The WRX STI TRAX concept, above, unveiled this week at the 2009 SEMA show in Las Vegas, could well be the best means of mountain-side transportation for snowboarders. Even if the compact Subaru WRX STI can tackle the worst winter driving conditions, this concept takes the oft-slippery task to another level.

The wild snow car is the vision-turned-to-reality of Ken Block, a Subaru Rally Team USA driver and co-founder of DC Shoes. Vermont SportsCar, who builds the SRT team cars, built this WRX from a 2009 Subaru WRX STI. A Mattracks rubber track system was added for driving on snowy mountain terrain and the powertrain was lowered three inches to fit the system.

Buick’s boardroom on wheels

By Justin Couture, Sympatico/MSN Autos

At this year’s Auto Shanghai 2009, Buick unveiled its Business Concept, a big and (somewhat) stylish people mover designed and developed by GM’s China-based Pan Asian Technical Automotive Centre (PATAC). The idea behind the concept is to provide first-class transportation with luxury amenities for corporate executives and their clients.

While North Americans might have a deep-rooted dislike of vans, it’s a different story in Asia. In China, Buick’s GL8 minivan (based on the Chevrolet Uplander) has had great success, and is one of the brand’s staple vehicles.

Toyota debuts new HC-CV Concept in Australia

By Justin Couture, Sympatico/MSN Autos

Toyota is making a big splash down under by unveiling its new HC-CV concept at the Melbourne International Motor Show. While the name might hint at something new - a mild hybrid to rival Honda’s Insight, or, perhaps a new hydrogen fuel cell vehicle - the HC-CV is just a dressed up Camry Hybrid. (HC-CV is just an acronym for Hybrid Camry Concept Vehicle)

Why the big deal over a car that’s been on sale since 2006? In less than twelve months, Toyota of Australia will begin producing the Camry Hybrid domestically. By 2010, the Camry Hybrid will be produced in four different plants: Georgetown, Kentucky; Tsunami, Japan; Chachoengsao, Thailand and Altona, Victoria in Australia.

First look: 2009 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo Concept

By Justin Couture, Sympatico/MSN Autos

Here are the first photos of BMW's latest concept car, the 5 Series Gran Turismo, which debuted this morning for international media via an online webcast. Conceptually, it was designed to blur the boundaries between existing vehicle types – it’s for the consumer that wants a vehicle in between a sport-utility vehicle and a sports sedan; the practicality of the former with the styling and dynamic abilities of the latter.

While its definition might sound like a straight-up crossover, BMW insists it isn't one. The GT Concept is a niche vehicle that’s more car biased. As such, BMW is calling it a Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS).

Hyundai and Ford take top honours in Canadian Car of the Year awards

By Michael Bettencourt, Sympatico/MSN Autos

The Hyundai Genesis and the Ford Flex won the overall Canadian Car and Utility of the Year awards, respectively, surprising few in the crowd of onlooking journalists. Both were seen as the frontrunners in their categories.

The awards were handed out by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada at the media preview day of the Canadian International AutoShow, at an early and not-so-bright for some 8 am presentation.

“It’s the first time that a Korean automaker has won this award, so it’s a landmark award for us,” said Hyundai of Canada president Steve Kelleher. “It’s a tribute to our design centers and factories that they can produce world class vehicles, and not only in the lower segments.”

Chrysler 200C EV Concept previews future mid-size sedan

By Justin Couture, Sympatico/MSN Autos

When automotive blogs across the country reported Chrysler’s auto show lineup as an act of revenge for not being invited to the brand’s annual Detroit preview, I have to say I was a bit surprised – not necessarily by the action, but by the list of vehicles. Its auto show lineup seemed rather ... empty, a sign of a company in true despair. Jeep was set to show off a plug-in hybrid Patriot, Chrysler’s 300 was scheduled for a technical update, and, that the new Grand Cherokee and Durango were on the way. And that was about it.

Luckily, Chrysler didn’t show the press this vehicle, the 200C EV Concept as it would’ve been a much bigger (and important) cat to let out of the proverbial bag.

The Cadillac of electric vehicles: Converj Concept

By Justin Couture, Sympatico/MSN Autos

Growing up, I remember hearing the phrase, “The Cadillac of…” as a comparative description for anything fancy be it televisions, watches or computers. Through the mid ‘90s and into the new millennium, the phrase more or less fell out of usage, but now is as good a time as ever to bring it back, as GM has just unveiled the Cadillac Converj, a vehicle GM is describing as, “the Cadillac of electric vehicles.”

The oddly-named Converj is one of the sharpest looking, and dare I say, the most beautiful range-extension plug-in hybrid vehicle. It combines Cadillac’s creased design in a rakish, coupe body. The Converj features side-mounted cameras in place of rear-view mirrors to reduce drag, an all-glass roof with embedded solar panels, and a wheel and tire package consisting of 21-inch alloys up front, and 22s at the rear. GM’s product guru Bob Lutz says that this is the future styling direction for Cadillac, so, if you like what you see here, this is good news.

First Look: 2010 Lexus HS 250h hybrid

By Justin Couture, Sympatico/MSN Autos

When it comes to luxury hybrid vehicles, Lexus is king. It was the first to market with the world’s first luxury crossover, RX 400h; it also produced the world's first mid-size luxury hybrid, the GS 450h, as well as the world’s first executive-class luxury sedan, the LS 600hL. Now, Lexus is unveiling the world’s first dedicated luxury hybrid vehicle, the HS 250h.

The term “dedicated hybrid” may sound a bit confusing, but it’s actually not – it simply means that the HS 250h will only be offered as a hybrid, much like Toyota’s Prius. In fact, it’s probably best to think of it as just that, Lexus’ Prius.