Early spring is upon us, which means we're smack in the middle of the post-auto-show scramble of OEMs to copy each others' ideas and one-up the next guy. Amidst Toyota's sticky situation with a throttle recall, the Detroit Auto Show catching on fire, Tata apparently plotting to rip off the American consumer, a sea of electric vehicles, and the usual random three- and four-wheeled craziness, here's what we felt was most worth our ink.
2011 JDM Mazda6
Direct-injection 2.0L,
AWD, Sleek Styling
Let's start by saying there are no plans for us to get it. Sure, the new USDM Mazda6 will most likely bear some exterior resemblance to what was "pre debuted" recently (full production specs to be revealed around the time you read this), and there's a good chance the front/rear torque-splitting AWD drivetrain will stay, but the re-worked direct-injection 2.0L MZR DISI engine (that boasts a 10-percent improvement in power/torque and fuel efficiency compared to a conventional arrangement) will likely remain only for the JDM market for which it was created, specifically to take advantage of an "eco-car" tax break-the USDM will keep the wildly less efficient (but bigger, and it's the only one with a manual transmission option) 2.5L inline-four. www.mazda.com
Honda CR-Z
(For Real This Time)
After a million (or so) outlandish speculations, radical concept sketches, leaked pre-production spy shots and pre-debuts, production specs of the car hailed as "the new CRX" have finally been released. Said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda, "The CR-Z is a personal sport hybrid coupe for people with a spirit of adventure and an elevated sense of responsibility toward the environment . . . It's the first hybrid designed to maximize style and fun, in addition to efficiency and economy." Are you crying yet? If not, this might help: a 1.5L i-VTEC Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) gas/electric hybrid engine, CVT trans., Vehicle Stability Assist (traction control), and MacPherson/torsion beam suspension. On the bright side, an "EX" model with HIDs, a six-speed manny, and a pretty buff Bluetooth/nav/USB audio system is available, and we half-way hate to say it, but its "green" options (like its 36/38mpg efficiency, and color-changing tach that signals fuel-efficienct driving) are kind of cool. Still, it's lightweight and looks good-engine/motor interchangeability is all we're really thinking about. www.honda.com
Scion To Grow
Amidst speculation that Scion-whose 2009 sales figures dropped 49% from their 2008 levels-may be exiting the auto-making stage, Toyota's North American president, Yoshi Inaba, retorted by promising that Scion will actually grow its youth-marketing niche by offering two new models tailored to "American tastes", which the U.S.-designed and built tC was designed to satiate. Plans have been announced to debut Toyota's 1.3L 93hp Smart-battling IQ as a new Scion model for '11, and our guess is that a production variant of last year's Hako Concept would likely beat out rumors of a Scion pick-up truck that won't seem to go away. But neither platform offers the American styling to which Inaba-san hinted. Can a brotha get some turbo/RWD love up in here? www.scion.com
Lexus FT-CH
Prius Starts A Family
In a bid to capitalize on the success of their Prius, Toyota, with plans to double hybrid output by 2011, recently announced their gas/electric FT-CH hybrid, designed to appeal to a younger generation that's grown up "in a world filled with video games and email". While we're not sure what email has to do with the concept's "8-bit styling" admittedly inspired by NES hits Contra, Megaman and Super Mario Brothers-nor why it's priced $8k less than the Prius, yet planned to debut as a Lexus-it's frosted glass roof, suspension fabric seating and see-through headlights were just too wacky for us to pass up. www.lexus.com