Last-minute survival tips
Make sure this final weekend of the AutoShow is memorable by taking the time to plan ahead
Whether you’re headed to the Canadian International AutoShow for the last weekend to research your next vehicle, or because, like me, you’re an enthusiast who likes to see, touch and sit in the latest and greatest new model — a bit of planning ahead can make your visit a more pleasant experience.
After all, the show at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre is Canada’s largest consumer show, boasting more than 650,000 square feet of cars, displays and exhibits — a 10-day event that saw a record of nearly 340,000 visitors last year.
As such, depending on the time of day and day of the week, it will be busy.
Although there is parking available at both the North and South Buildings of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (as well as several lots in the immediate area), it’s with a great sense of irony that I tell you that transit is the best way to get to this auto show, and probably less expensive for individuals or couples besides.
For perspective, the single day maximum for parking at the MTCC is $30.
Leave your coat at home (if you’re arriving via subway) or in your car. With all of the lights and the sheer number of people, it’s usually quite warm on the show floor, and there’s no need to go outside to go between the buildings or even to and from Union Station.
If that’s not an option, there are coat checks available in Room 203D on the North Building’s 200 Level (ground floor) and by the Volkswagen Play Care Centre on Level 600 in the South Building. Wear comfortable shoes; there’s almost 15 acres of show floor to cover!
Tickets for the show are available both online and in the lobbies of both MTCC buildings; consult the Show’s website at autoshow.ca for specific pricing details.
There are food courts in both the North and South Buildings and — for the first time — food trucks outside the South Building’s entrance. Keep in mind that consumables are not allowed in the exhibit areas.
You will probably want to bring a fabric shopping bag or tote. Some automakers have given them out in the past (and some are doing it again this year), but those tend to get snapped up quickly, and there’s plenty of literature and merchandise to be picked up while wandering the show floor.
Many automakers have small boutique stores in their display areas that sell branded items and collectibles like die-cast vehicles, and there are dedicated retail areas in the South Building as well.
If you’re vehicle shopping, bring a notepad to jot down observations, as it can be tough to keep track if you’ve got multiple contenders.
Speaking of confusing: The Convention Centre’s floor numbering system appears to defy logic — I can think of no other venue that has numbers that increase as you go lower. Picture it this way: the original MTCC building is the North Building, which is conventionally numbered (100 at the bottom, 300 at the top).
Now, imagine they built the South Building on top of that, and then flopped it into its current location like a Slinky — as you continue on up from the 300 Level across the bridge spanning the railway tracks, you’ll encounter the 400 Level at the very top of the South Building, and then descend into the 500, 600, and eventually down to the 800 Level. Goofy, yes, but it avoids having duplicate floor numbers in the two buildings.
It’d be both easy and a shame to miss the Auto Exotica area and this year’s “70 Years of Porsche” exhibit, located on the 100 Level (basement) of the North Building. Auto Exotica is where you’ll find Tesla, Koenigsegg (displaying the current world speed record-setting Agera RS), Aston Martin and several other gorgeous and highly desirable prestige brands’ models.
Also in the North Building is the EVolution Zone, where you can arrange on-site test drives of electric vehicles from eight different manufacturers.
Similarly easy to overlook and yet very worth visiting is the Art and the Automobile display presented by the Cobble Beach Concours D’Elegance, which is $20 million-plus worth of beautiful vintage cars tucked into room 718 on the South Building’s 700 Level.
This year’s Art and the Automobile’s theme is “Jewels,” and the 17 cars appearing were selected for their distinctive badges and hood ornaments — works of art in their own respect.