15 concepts not to be missed at the Toronto auto show

From cars to SUVs and electrics to supercars, the future is on display

Stephanie Wallcraft
Published: February 7, 2017, 7:25 AM
Updated: February 27, 2017, 2:49 PM

From concept to reality

Concepts are the pipe dreams of automotive designers and often showcase the future direction of the industry – with some ideas being more realistic than others. These 15 concepts, ranging from family sedans to supercars and everything in between, can be seen in person at the 2017 Canadian International Auto Show from February 17 through 26. By Stephanie Wallcraft ▲

Far beyond Bond

Aston Martin AM-RB001 – Put Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing together, and this is the result: a head-spinning hypercar. This brain child of legendary former Formula 1 engineer Adrian Newey and Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman is headed for bespoke production in both road- and race-going versions sporting a mid-mounted naturally aspirated V-12 engine and a 1:1 (hp/kg) power to weight ratio. ▲

The future of Acura

Acura Precision Concept – Rather than pointing to a specific future vehicle, the Acura Precision Concept is a study in design that predicts the styling language of the company’s entire line-up. The first vehicle influenced in this direction has already been released: the refreshed 2017 MDX mid-size SUV carries the concept’s signature grille. Take a moment to examine the reverse floating roofline and highly detailed headlamps. ▲

Show-stopping beauty

Buick Avista – Think you know what’s Buick’s all about? Think again – the Buick Avista is an absolute stunner of a coupe concept that will stop you in your tracks. And its beauty is more than skin-deep: vivid touchscreens and head-up display graphics predict a more technologically integrated future. Sadly, this is one concept that Buick says is definitely not destined for production. ▲

A new American flagship

Cadillac Escala – Here’s another concept that’s a study in overall design direction, though the Cadillac Escala also looks ahead to a new larger and more elite flagship sibling to the brand’s recently released CT6 sedan. Featuring a new interpretation of Cadillac’s signature vertical lighting, the design deliberately creates a tougher and more sinister appearance that will grace the marque’s vehicles in the future. Under the hood, a new 4.2-litre twin-turbo V-8 and rear-wheel-drive layout deliver the goods to back up the looks. ▲

Korean for luxury

Genesis New York Concept – The newest luxury brand on the block has two upscale sedans in its line-up and is gunning for a third, this time in a sportier iteration shown off through the New York Concept. A few things about New York stand out: the hybrid powertrain that puts out 242 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, the massive 21-inch curved touchscreen interface, and the fact that it’s almost certainly headed for production in a form not terribly far from this one. ▲

Hot hatch heaven

Honda Civic Type R Prototype – There’s an abundance of riches in the performance hatch category these days, but this is one of the most hotly anticipated of them all: this prototype previews the Honda Civic Type R that after a long hiatus is finally returning to our shores later this year. Design highlights include the new hood intake, smoked light covers, 20-inch piano black alloy wheels, carbo fibre diffuser and, of course, the iconic red H badge. ▲

Fashion-forward design

Infiniti QX50 Concept – The design evolution for Infiniti’s next-generation mid-size SUV has been a careful one, starting with the QX Sport Inspiration concept and now moving into the QX50 Concept. It represents a departure from a style language that has persisted since the launch of the EX35 back in 2007 but that will bring the next QX50 more in line with the brand’s broader vision, with a more squared-off body shape and curvaceous rear window being among its notable features. ▲

Clean and efficient luxury

Lexus LF-FC Concept – The Lexus LF-FC Concept takes the idea of a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and brings it rocketing into the luxury space. True to the brand’s design language in every way, the only hint that of its unconventional powertrain is in the small-print fuel cell badge just in front of the rear wheels. Power delivery is designed to energize the rear wheels as well as two in-wheel motors at the front, making the LF-FC all-wheel drive. ▲

Upscale compact crossover

Lexus UX Concept – This is one dramatic look at what a luxury compact crossover could be. Its muscular exterior design surrounds a four-seat interior that looks like something out of a superhero film. Though the woven-ribbon seats are impractical and the three-dimensional interactivity system is likely a ways off yet, this brave vision says a great deal about how Lexus sees itself as a brand. ▲

Imagining the high life

Lincoln Navigator Concept – There’s a lot that’s fanciful about the Lincoln Navigator Concept – the gull-wing doors were never intended to make it to production, for example, and the “wardrobe management system” may not, either – but there’s also plenty about it to be taken seriously. The serene interior design is a new hallmark of the brand, the promised 3.5-litre twin-turbo V-6 engine is already in use under the Ford EcoBoost banner, and the second- and third-row seatback entertainment systems would be a great addition. ▲

An electric direction

Mitsubishi GT-PHEV – It’s interesting that the Mitsubishi GT-PHEV has been shown only three times worldwide but two of those exhibitions have been in Canada. This crossover concept uses a gasoline engine matched with three electric motors and a 25 kWh lithium-ion battery pack to deliver an estimated 120 kilometres of all-electric driving and a combined total range of 1,200 kilometres. The concept also features full-time four-wheel drive and Mitsubishi’s signature Dynamic Shield front grille. ▲

A truly green vision

Rinspeed Oasis – Here’s a concept the likes of which you may never have seen. The Oasis envisions a future of fully electric, autonomous, and shared driving in which cars won’t be owned but are instead summoned via smartphone app. With gesture-controlled displays, projected augmented-reality windscreen, a 5K screen spanning the width of the instrument panel with an integrated keyboard, and even an on-board garden, the Oasis is in many ways well ahead of its time. ▲

New sedan design language

Nissan Vmotion 2.0 Concept – Nissan’s Vmotion 2.0 Concept signals the future design direction for the brand’s sedan line-up. Featuring a deeper and more dramatic evolution of the V-motion front design, the concept also shows crisp character lines that add depth and volume to the exterior. It also hints at the company’s vision for the future of mobility through a concept called the Nissan Intelligent Driving system that gives a preview of what autonomous driving capabilities might entail. ▲

A go-anywhere family hauler

Subaru VIZIV-7 Concept – Subaru is about to get back into the large SUV game and is previewing its next three-row family hauler in the VIZIV-7 Concept. Though this concept is mostly an exercise in design – and a solid-looking and imposing one at that – there are a few things worth betting on when this new model hits our market early next year: it’s bound to feature one of Subaru’s boxer engines and, like all of the company’s vehicles, standard all-wheel drive. ▲

Fuel for the future

Toyota FCV Plus Hydrogen Fuel Cell Concept - Toyota believes that hydrogen is the sustainable fuel of the future, an assertion the company is backing up with the release of the single-seat FCV Plus hydrogen fuel cell concept vehicle. It’s designed to be deliberately futuristic with the vehicle’s inner workings brought outward to make them a part of the exterior design. A small window sits just below the driver’s feet to communicate the movement of the tires and suspension and the sense of speed while cruising down the road. ▲

Future Cars Auto Shows