FIVE MUST-SEE VEHICLES
Calgary International Auto and Truck Show runs through March 19
If the 2017 Calgary International Auto and Truck Show has a focus this year, it could be considered the “concept” edition.
There are plenty of concepts making an appearance, including the Acura Precision, Subaru Viziv-7 and Lexus LC 500 SEMA. Also rolling into the BMO Centre at Stampede Park is Infiniti’s F1 race car and Porsche’s replica 919 Hybrid that competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
There are countless new production models of note but here, in no particular order, are what could be considered five must-see vehicles in 2017.
In the world of performance cars, there’s the new GT at the Ford display. This aerodynamic and low-slung two-door coupe is a show highlight. Production started on the GT supercar late in 2016, and it’s built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Ford GT race cars finishing one-two-three at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966.
The GT features rear-wheel drive with a mid-mounted 3.5-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 engine that’s good for 600 horsepower. Ford says the GT’s teardrop shape is optimal for aerodynamic efficiency, and the fuselage is inspired by aircraft design — all to minimize drag and increase downforce.
If you would enjoy test-driving a Ford GT race car around a track, feeling every jolt and undulation in the pavement, be sure to step into Ford’s Sim-Zilla. This supercar simulator seats three people and looks a bit like a six-legged hydraulic spider with large video screens attached. The platform moves with driver inputs to accelerator, brakes and steering, and it includes every bump, skid and crash.
Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the spectrum but no less exciting, is Kia’s all-new for 2018 Rio compact car. Compared to the outgoing model, the latest fivedoor Rio has a longer hood and front overhang, coupled with a shorter rear overhang, increasing shoulder room, second-row capacity and cargo-carrying capability. According to Kia, the new exterior design is defined by straight lines and smooth surfaces and features the automaker’s signature “tigernose” grille.
Propelled by a 1.6-L naturally aspirated in-line four-cylinder engine that makes 130 h.p., the Rio comes equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox or an optional six-speed automatic. While considered an economy car by some, the Rio will come standard with a heated steering wheel and front seats, plus a five-inch display audio screen with rear-view camera.
For those looking to get off the beaten path in sporty style, General Motors is showcasing its 2018 Chevy Colorado ZR2. This mid-size truck is packed with offroad technology, including highperformance suspension dampers built by Markham, Ont.-based Multimatic Inc. This Canadian company has been supplying its Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSV) damper technology to motorsports winners, and this is its first off-road application.
The ZR2 model is wider and taller than a standard Colorado, and the front and rear bumpers have been modified for increased off-road clearance. Goodyear 31-inch tall Duratrac tires wrap around 17-inch by eight-inch ZR2-specific aluminum wheels, and a bed-mounted spare tire carrier is an available accessory. The ZR2 comes with an all-new 3.6-L V-6 coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission, or it can be ordered with a Duramax diesel engine.
Moving people? Take a look at the brand new Atlas seven-passenger SUV at the Volkswagen display. This is the largest VW vehicle in its Canadian lineup. At 5,036 mm long and 1,978 mm wide, the Atlas has room for seven adults, and their luggage. There’s a choice of two engines in the Atlas: the standard 2.0-L turbocharged four-cylinder mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission or the optional 3.6-L VR6 with an eight-speed automatic, which also adds VW’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive package to the vehicle.
Playing to your inner James Bond would be easily accomplished in Aston Martin’s DB11. This exotic car is a two-door with 2 + 2 seating, and features an extruded bonded aluminum body structure with Aston Martin’s Aeroblade deployable rear spoiler system. Covering the impressive 5.2-L twin-turbo V12 engine that makes 600 h.p. and 516 pound-feet of torque is a one-piece clamshell-style hood.
All of that power is transferred to a rear mid-mounted eight-speed automatic gearbox controlled by steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The 20-inch wheels feature 10-spokes each and are shod in Bridgestone tires. These large rims cover 400-mm front-brake discs with six-piston calipers and 360-mm rear-brake discs with four-piston calipers.
Those are the five must-see vehicles, but don’t forget to drop off a ballot to enter to win a 2017 Ford Escape SE, courtesy of Postmedia, and visit the many accessory booths.