Autoblog Montreal Auto Show

Mitsubishi Mirage bows in Montreal without a name, Canadian sales promised

Jeffrey N. Ross — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 18:02:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Mitsubishi, Canada, Montreal Auto Show

The Detroit Auto Show had plenty of major debuts for North American car buyers, but the Montreal Auto Show is being used for the North American debut of a new subcompact hatchback from Mitsubishi. Although this car is unnamed, it is almost identical to the redesigned Mirage we saw back at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show (and has been on sale in Asian markets such as Thailand since last year), but it is unclear if the car will carry this name when it goes on sale for our neighbors to the north starting this fall.

Aside from a slightly less annoying shade the of green we saw the car painted in at the Tokyo show, there are a few changes made for the car's Canadian debut. The biggest difference is that it is almost three inches longer, which is likely a result of the new rear fascia that is also visually different with some altered lines and small, circular reflectors. Other changes include a bigger three-cylinder engine (with a 1.2-liter displacement instead of the Tokyo car's 1.0-liter engine) and headlights that have new amber lenses for side reflectors.

There is still no word as to whether or not we'll see this new car in Mitsubishi's US lineup anytime soon, but it does seem like a good competitor against cars like that Mazda2, Chevrolet Spark and Hyundai Accent.

Mitsubishi has provided a press release for this Canadian hatchback, which we've posted after the jump.

Continue reading Mitsubishi Mirage bows in Montreal without a name, Canadian sales promised

Mitsubishi Mirage bows in Montreal without a name, Canadian sales promised originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 Jan 2013 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda Gear concept explored at Montreal Auto Show

Zach Bowman — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hatchback, Honda, Design/Style, Montreal Auto Show

Our friends at Autoblog Canada have just come away with a closer look at Honda's surprise Gear Concept at the Montreal Auto Show. The little three-door hatchback is arguably the automaker's first real shot at the North American city car market (the Gear is much smaller than the Fit) and may be an indication that Honda is getting serious about going after Scion on this side of the world after the CR-Z hybrid failed to deliver. Honda says the Gear Concept takes its inspiration from the fixed-gear bicycle scene, and should allow buyers an unprecedented level of customization. Designers also wanted to show that a car can be both fun and practical.

We're all for a compact stylish three door with functional room inside, but given Honda's propensity for draining the personality from its concepts on the way to production (at least the ones that don't look showroom ready), we don't hold much hope for the Gear. You can check out the full press release below for more information.

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Honda Gear concept explored at Montreal Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda surprises with Gear concept in Montreal

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hatchback, Honda, Canada, Design/Style, Montreal Auto Show

It's not often that a major automobile manufacturer debuts a brand-new concept at the Montreal International Auto Show - mostly because it takes place concurrently with the massive show in Detroit - but here we are with the so-called Honda Gear Concept Study Model, which was just uncovered by our friendly neighbors to the north.

According to the automaker, the Gear "demonstrates Honda's innovative approach to providing the automotive answer for young, urban, Gen-Y lifestyles. Inspired by fixed-gear bicycles... Gear is simple and utilitarian, but also customizable, connected and full of personality." It is apparently "practical but fun, customizable, connected and affordable. Everything that young, discerning urban buyers would want in a car," according to Dave Marek, Design Director at Honda R&D Americas.

We don't know anything else - what might lie underhood, how it is "connected" or at what price point it might potentially be sold at. Check out our high-res image gallery above and the press release below and you'll know just about as much as we do.

Continue reading Honda surprises with Gear concept in Montreal

Honda surprises with Gear concept in Montreal originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jan 2013 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canadian brochure reveals updated 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara Urban

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Suzuki, Canada, Montreal Auto Show

It's more a rear-lift than a facelift, since only the back end has changed on the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara Urban offered in Canada. There are two noteworthy changes for the decontented model, the first being that Suzuki swapped the full-sized spare tire for a temporary "donut" spare and moved it from the rear gate to underneath the floor of the cargo area.

The other big change is the price: a current Vitara JL starts at $28,135 CAD, the revised model goes down in price to $26,995 CAD. For comparison, that new price equates to $27,007 USD, nearly $1,700 more expensive than the base price of the top-dog Grand Vitara Limited AT 4WD, which starts at $25,379 USD here.

It's been speculated that the changes are meant to lure more female customers (Vitara buyers are 60-percent male). Other specs and features haven't changed, which appears to make this a stopgap while everyone waits on the 2013 Grand Vitara, which will sit on a stretched version of the Kizashi platform.

Canadian brochure reveals updated 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara Urban originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Feb 2012 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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