Expect to see more diesels, more hybrids and more power in a number of all-new offerings by various manufacturers this year. By all indications, 2013 is going to be busy, with lots of choices for consumers. Here is a list of significant models:
Acura MDX — Expect to see pictures of a prototype of this popular three-row midsized SUV/crossover at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit Jan. 19 to 27.
On sale: May
Price range: From $55,000 (expected)
Acura RLX — Acura’s flagship sedan undergoes a much-needed revamp from the forgettable RL it replaces. The car was unveiled at last month’s L.A. Auto Show. Apart from the huge step forward in looks, some critics say the new car might be the most advanced Acura to hit the market.
On sale: Late spring
Price range: Not announced
Audi — The big news for Audi is new powerplants, both frugal and fast. The A6, A7, A8 and Q5 are all slated to receive TDI diesel engines over the course of the year. The Q5 also received a hybrid powerplant late last year.
Those with a need for speed will find it with a supercharged V-6 in the Q5 and an RS7 with an expected 525 horsepower engine next November.
Audi R8 — Audi’s flagship supercar emerges from a mid-cycle refresh as a lighter car.
On sale: April/ May
Price range: N/A
Audi RS5 cabrio — Driving this four- seater cabrio with the top down will prove to be one way to dry your hair quickly. Equipped with a 450 hp 4.2-litre V-8, the car can accelerate from 0 to 100 km in less than five seconds.
On sale: Summer
Price range: N/A
Chevrolet Canyon — Very little is known about GM’s next-generation compact truck. We know it has already been introduced overseas, but the North American market has dwindled over the years, with Ford pulling its Ranger off the market last year.
On sale: Late summer
Price range: Unknown
Chevrolet Cruze diesel — Move over, Volkswagen; Chevrolet is about to introduce a diesel engine in its popular compact car.
The 2.0-litre, already sold in Europe, finally makes its way across the pond. In Europe it develops 161 hp and 266 lb.-ft. of torque.
On sale: Late summer-early fall
Price range: Not available
Chevrolet Impala — The new car will be built on GM’s Epsilon platform. It will be offered with three engines: a 2.5-litre gas four-cylinder, a 2.4-litre hybrid and a 3.6-litre V-6 with 303 hp. All Impalas will be front-wheel-drive for now.
On sale: Early 2013
Price range: Not available
Chevrolet Sierra — Stakes in the full-size truck market are high so everybody is holding their breath on the unveiling of the next-generation Sierra. Expect a big launch at the North American Auto Show.
On sale: Late spring or early summer
Price range: From $20,000
Chevrolet Sonic RS — The sporty version of the Sonic with a 138-hp, 1.4-litre four borrowed from the Cruze. The car will wear beefy 17-inch rubber, ride lower and have a sport suspension to go with the more aggressive front fascia.
On sale: Spring
Price range: $25,000
Chevrolet Spark EV — This will be GM’s first all-electric car — the Volt is considered an extended-range electric car. This may surprise a few people as it is reported to have an electric motor that produces 400 lb.-ft. of torque, giving it acceleration times of under eight seconds. Can’t wait!
On sale: Late summer
Price range: Not announced
Chevrolet Trax — The Trax takes sport-cute to a new level. This only-in-Canada compact SUV/crossover is based on the Chevy Sonic. Although GM makes no mention of it, it may be the spiritual successor to the original, a well-loved Chevrolet Tracker.
On sale: Available now
Price range: $20,000 to $30,000
Dodge Ram Heavy Duty — Fitted with Cummins diesel for those who need the towing power of a big-rig.
On sale: February to March
Price range: Will be announced at the Detroit Auto Show, set to run Jan. 19-27.
Fiat 500L — The “L” logically means “large” for the diminutive 500. The L grows two extra doors and a real back seat, making it an alternative for families bypassing the standard two-door hatchback. No word if Fiat plans to put a larger engine or offer it standard with a turbocharger to offset the added weight.
On sale: Will be announced at Detroit Auto Show
Price range: Same as above
Fiat 500 Abarth cabrio — The top comes off the top of this hot-rod version of the diminutive 500. Like the coupe version, expect 160 hp out of its turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine.
On sale: Late spring
Price range: Not available
Ford C-Max — Ford’s newest hybrid wagon is aimed directly at the Toyota Prius V. Expect to see a plug-in hybrid version before the end of the year.
On sale: Hybrid versions available now
Price range: From $29,000
Infiniti Q50 — Formerly known as the G37 sedan, the new premium mid-sized sedan will debut at the North American Auto Show.
On sale: January
Price range: Expected to be less than last year’s model
Jeep Grand Cherokee — The Cherokee will undergo a refresh this year. But the biggest news is under the hood, with the introduction of a 3.0-litre V-6 diesel. It is expected to produce 237 hp and 407 lb.-ft. of torque. It will be mated to a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic.
On sale: Late spring
Price range: Not yet revealed
Kia Forte — A refreshed four-door sedan will debut this spring, followed by the five-door hatchback at the end of the summer and a finally a coupe in the fall. Most of the powerplants are carryovers, with 2.0 and 2.4-litre fours. The five-door and coupe will likely only get turbo fours under the hood.
On sale: Four door sedan in April
Price range: Expected to be the same as 2012 pricing
Kia Sorrento — Announced at last month’s L.A. Auto Show, the new Sorrento adds a high-end model with upscale touches such as HID headlamps, 19-inch chrome wheels and Napa leather. The new mid-sized crossover gains a new platform, a new direct-injected V-6 as well as a redesigned cabin.
On sale: February
Price range: $26,000 to $41,000
Lincoln MKZ — The Lincoln Motor Company is rebranding itself, with a new name and an all-new second-generation MKZ. This midsize premium sedan will boast three engines, from a 2.0-litre EcoBoost four to a 3.7-litre V-6. Expect a hybrid version to follow soon after.
On sale: February
Price range: From $47,000
Mazda6 — Mazda’s mid-sized sedan picks up completely new sheet metal and a 2.5-litre Skyactiv-equipped four-cylinder when it hits showrooms this month. It can be equipped with a six-speed manual transmission or automatic.
On sale: January
Price range: No prices revealed
Mercedes-Benz B-250 — This baby Benz is in showrooms now. It may be the smallest but the B-Class boasts an impressive list of standard features commonly found in its bigger brethren. All B-250’s get a turbo 2.0-litre four that is over 50 per cent more powerful than last year’s engine. A seven-speed auto replaces the former CVT.
On sale: Now
Price range: From $29,900
Mercedes-Benz GLK diesel — The GLK underwent a sheetmetal refresh last year. This year the GLK gets a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder diesel to draw back potential customers unhappy with the former 3.5-litre gas-guzzling V-6. This year Mercedes also replaced the V-6 with another, more economical V-6 as well.
On sale: Summer
Price range: Not announced
Mercedes-Benz S-Class — This is the flagship car for the line. Expect to see a number of technological automotive firsts, such as the world’s first all-LED car.
On sale: Late summer
Price range: $90,000-plus
Mitsubishi Mirage — The Mitsubishi line finally gets a five-door subcompact to take on cars such as the Mazda2 and Chevrolet Spark. This city car is expected to start at under $13,000. There has been no official indication of which engine will be under the hood, but in other markets it is equipped with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder.
On sale: September
Price range: Under $13,000
Mitsubishi Outlander — The third-generation Outlander debuts lighter and, if equipped with a reworked 2.4-litre four mated to a CVT, the most fuel-efficient seven-passenger mid-sized crossover in its segment. Features available now include a power liftgate and lane departure warning. A Hybrid is expected either late in the year or early 2014.
On sale: July
Price range: $25,800 to $38,500
Nissan Frontier — One of the last remaining compact trucks on the market. According to industry insiders, the new truck will be built on a shortened platform shared with the full-sized Titan. If this pans out, it would mean the Frontier’s cabin will grow in width, making for a more spacious interior.
On sale: Late fall
Price range: N/A
Nissan Rogue — Nissan’s compact crossover will now be built in Tennessee to escape the strong Japanese yen. There is speculation that the Rogue will be based on the same modular chassis that underpins the new Altima. Styling is expected to be close to the Hi-Cross concept shown at the L.A. Auto Show last month.
On sale: Fall
Price range: Not known at this time
Nissan Titan — Nissan’s full-sized pick-up is expected to undergo a major overhaul to keep it competitive in the half-ton pickup market. An available diesel engine are among the many rumors surrounding the much-needed revamp.
On sale: Possible late fall
Price range: N/A
Nissan Versa Hatchback — The five-door hatchback follows last year’s sedan introduction. The hatchback’s debut is important for Nissan dealers because it still represents the biggest sales volume, despite the sedan’s attractive low base price.
On sale: March/April
Price range: Estimated from $15,000
Range Rover — The fourth-generation Range Rover debuts with an all-aluminum unibody that weighs just 61 per cent of its predecessor, making it over 317 kilograms lighter. While a diesel engine is in the horizon, North American vehicles will see V-8’s only at launch.
On sale: Late January
Price range: $114,750-plus
Smart Fortwo ED — This is the electric-car version of the Fortwo. When it arrives, it will be the lowest-price and smallest all-electric car on the market.
On sale: Late February
Price range: $26,995 to $29,995 (before B.C. government $5,000 rebate)
Subaru Forester — Introduced at the L.A. Auto Show, the revamped Forester will likely be as equipped as before, with wither a 2.5-litre four or a turbocharged 2.0-litre direct-injected engine. Gone is the outdated four-speed automatic. In its place is a CVT on either model.
On sale: March
Price range: Not available
Toyota Avalon — This top-of-the-line Toyota is now so well equipped, it gives its Lexus brethren some viable competition. While the last-generation car was almost a wallflower, Toyota has indicated it will devote some time and effort in repositioning the new car. If one judges a book by its cover, the new Avalon may catch on and become a bestseller.
On sale: Now
Price range: $36,000 to $42,000
Toyota Corolla — The Corolla is Toyota’s best-selling car, so much is riding on this major redesign. Given the quality of the competition, Toyota is keeping mum on what it will even look like, with only heavily disguised photos of the car in testing available.
On sale: Fall
Price range: Close to the current model: $15,500 to $25,000
Toyota RAV4 — The popular compact sport-ute/crossover gets an overdue major overhaul. The fourth-generation vehicle is more spacious. It will be powered by a 176-hp 2.5-litre four (V-6 discontinued). The biggest change to the body is the elimination of the side-hinged door in favour of a regular hatch
On sale: Feb. 15
Price range: $23,800 to $31,700
Volkswagen Beetle convertible — First there was the revamped Beetle, now, we get the topless version.
On sale: Late spring
Price range: $35,000 (approximately)
Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid — After decades offering diesels, Volkswagen is finally offering a gasoline-electric hybrid model as well. The 1.4-litre four cylinder delivers even better mileage than its oil-buring brethren.
On sale: Available now
Price range: $35,400
