Time for city’s car lovers to rev their engines
Auto show has dozens of Canadian debuts
For those who have a passion for cars, or those who are just in the market for a new set of wheels, this is a good time of year in Montreal.
While our wintry roads are slushy and it’s hard to keep your vehicle clean, there will be plenty of sparkling sheet metal in the Palais des congrès as the Montreal International Auto Show (MIAS) gets into gear Friday morning.
Hundreds of cars from every auto manufacturer that sells its wares on our shores will be on display across several floors of the Palais.
There isn’t much in the way of world premieres in Montreal this year, however, with Honda being the only carmaker to do so with its GEAR concept vehicle.
Mitsubishi is using the MIAS as the location for the North American premiere of its new subcompact model, the Mirage.
There are nearly 40 Canadian debuts at the MIAS, including some eye-catching models like the Aston Martin Vanquish and the DB9. Other models you can get a first look at in Canada include such 2014 models as the Fiat 500L, Ford Fiesta, Mazda 6, Subaru Forester, Kia Sorento, Kia Forte sedan and the Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck.
One of the special features at this year’s MIAS is a display called Centennial Avenue. It encapsulates 100 years of automotive history with 10 vehicles — one per decade — on Level 5 of the Palais des congrès.
And looking to the future of the automobile, the auto show also allows visitors a chance to test-drive electric vehicles. Models available for driving include Ford’s Focus Electric, Fusion Energi and C-Max Energi; Mitsubishi’s I-MiEV; Chevrolet Volt; Nissan LEAF; smart eDrive; and Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid.
The show opens to the public Friday and runs until Jan. 27. The show floor will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day except Jan. 27, when doors close at 7 p.m.
Admission is free for children under six years old, costs $6 for those aged six to 12, and a one-day pass for adults sells for $16.
Students and seniors over 65 are given a bit of a rebate when they present their ID at the ticket window, with their tickets costing only $13. CAA members are also entitled to a $2 rebate, as are Accès Montréal cardholders.
And as always, there is a family package offered by organizers. For $38, you get tickets for two adults and two children.
If you have to bring your kids with you but don’t want them following you around the show floor, there is once again a childcare centre sponsored by Kia for children between three and 10.