DETROIT — It's okay to have fun again. That's the message from the automakers who, for the first time in quite a while, put as much emphasis on driving pleasure as they did on fuel efficiency.

Acura ILX

The U.S. never saw the now-defunct CSX, a gussied-up version of the Civic that appealed to Canadians' preference for small cars.

With fuel prices changing some American minds, Acura will now offer the entry-level ILX in both countries.

It still shares some basic Civic architecture, but that's all; this is otherwise an entirely different car. The one on display is technically a concept, but it's been a while since I've seen a concept from Honda/Acura that didn't move almost unchanged into production status.

Due out this spring, the ILX trio consists of a base 2.0 L four-cylinder, a performance 2.4 L model with six-speed manual, and Acura's first gasoline-electric hybrid model with 1.5 L engine.

The company says the car is “no boy-racer” and is going for luxury appointments, along with higher-tech items such as an Internet radio and text message function.

Chevrolet Sonic RS

The 2013 Sonic RS will come solely as a hatchback. It uses the 138-horsepower turbocharged 1.4 L four-cylinder from the Sonic LTZ, and differs mechanically from other Sonics with a stiffer and lower sport suspension, retuned exhaust and four-wheel disc brakes.

The rest is cosmetic: different fascias and grille, rear spoiler, sport seats, flat-bottom steering wheel, sport pedals and unique 17-inch wheels. This is the stuff that hot rodders used to do to cars after they bought them, but now it all comes ready to go out of the box.

Since connectivity is essential for the target buyers, it will include the Chevrolet MyLink system. This lets users run their smartphones — including music, calls and navigation directions — through the touch-screen radio via Bluetooth or USB connections.

Hyundai Veloster Turbo

The Veloster turned heads with its funky styling at last year's show, but its 138-horsepower engine didn't impress sport-coupe fans.

Coming out this summer, the Turbo should make them happier, pulling 201 horses from its direct-injection turbocharged 1.6 L four-cylinder, and on regular-grade gas.

Along with the engine, the Turbo's upgrades include more direct steering and stiffer suspension. A six-speed manual transmission is the default.

The regular Veloster's dual-clutch automatic prioritizes fuel economy over sportier performance, so the Turbo will option to a conventional six-speed autobox.

The Veloster's unusual door design puts one rear one on the passenger side for easier access to the back seat.

Mini Roadster

A follow-up to the Mini Coupe, the Roadster is the company's first wind-in-the-hair two-seater and the brand's sixth model.

Size-wise, it's about the same as the regular Mini convertible, but without the aggravation of back-seat drivers. The soft top is manually operated, folding flat behind the seats. As with other Mini models, the engine is a 1.6 L four-cylinder, tweaked for each of the three variants.

A naturally-aspirated version powers the base Cooper, at 121 horsepower. It's turbocharged in the Cooper S, where it spins out 181 horsepower, while the turbo John Cooper Works edition pumps it up to 208 horses and comes only with a stick shift, without the optional automatic available on the other two.

It isn't easy keeping a retro model fresh, but sending out a new variation every so often seems to be working.

The sportier two-seat interior also gives the Roadster a storage space that's 70 litres larger than the convertible, which has to wedge its rear seat back there.

Toyota Prius c

Toyota says that almost one out of every two hybrids sold today is a Prius. Capitalizing on that, the company rolled out the new Prius C, which joins the Prius hatchback, the new Prius V mini-crossover and the upcoming plug-in version.

Unlike the other Prius models, which use a 1.8 L gasoline engine, the Prius C mates a 73-horsepower 1.5 L four-cylinder engine to its hybrid system, which bumps the total output up to 99 horses when the electric motor kicks in.

Like its siblings, it can run on gasoline, electricity or a combination of the two, as needed.

The “C” stands for “city” and it's the smallest Prius, with dimensions only slightly larger than a Yaris hatchback.

Toyota's aiming for younger buyers, emphasizing a long list of connectivity features (does anybody put driving first anymore?) and a U.S. starting price of less than $19,000.

Source:

Wheels.ca

Author: Jil Mcintosh