Unveilings aplenty at MIAS
The Montreal International Auto Show boasts numerous Canadian unveilings, plus a global and continental premiere
It’s a bit of a milestone year for the Montreal International Auto Show, which celebrates its 45th anniversary in 2013 with what organizers say is a recordsetting list of Canadian newvehicle debuts, plus one North American premiere, and even a global unveiling.
While many of the vehicles will be new, the Palais des Congrès venue remains the same. Also returning is a collection of prestige and high-performance cars that will include a number of Canadian premieres from Aston Martin, Bentley and McLaren.
Level 5 of the Palais des Congrès resumes its role of hosting the show’s historical exhibit, which for 2013 is called Centennial Avenue, comprising a collection of 10 cars that each represent one decade from the past century.
If you’re curious about the buzz surrounding electric cars, this year’s show, in co-operation with CAA-Quebec and Electric Circuit, provides a rare opportunity to drive a number of them, all in one place.
Honda has chosen the MIAS to present the world premiere of its GEAR concept, which previews a small crossover that will slot in size-wise below its popular CR-V.Meanwhile, Mitsubishi has the sole North American debut at this year’s show, revealing its Mirage subcompact (see Page J4). The MIAS has partnered with
Suzuki Canada for a contest to give away a Suzuki Grand Vitara, among other prizes. The show also boasts a redesigned website, including a mobile version for easy surfing via smartphones.
You could use your smartphone to look at photos of new cars, but it’s much more fun to see them in person. Presented in alphabetical order by manufacturer, here are the Canadian newvehicle premieres on display at this year’s auto show:
The 2014 Acura RLX is a new flagship sedan for Honda’s luxury division; also here is the redesigned version of the MDX crossover, a traditional best-seller for the brand.
Audi’s display will put the spotlight on the RS5 Cabriolet, a stunning-looking and stunningly fast convertible based on the more mundane A5.
BMW brings diesel power back to its 3 Series for 2013, with the 328d. Accompanying it are the 2013 Z4 roadster and ActiveHybrid 7, both featuring refreshed styling.
Chevrolet has most of GM’s premieres covered. The 2013 Trax is a new compact crossover, while the Silverado is a more familiar name attached to the company’s all-new full-size pickup truck. Chevy is also showing a pair of small sports-car prototypes called the 130 R and 140 S.
Chrysler’s most important contributions to the show are a new pair of Fiat 500 variants: a convertible version of the sporty Abarth model and the four-door 500L. It’s all about the little things at
Ford’s booth, too, with the Canadian premiere of the restyled 2014 Fiesta, whose engine line will include a turbocharged three-cylinder.
Hyundai started selling a redesigned Santa Fe crossover in 2012, but it’s got more in store with the premiere of the sevenseat Santa Fe XL.
Jaguar presents the Canadian debut of all-wheel-drive versions of its XJ (see Page J6) and XF sedans, new to both models for the 2013 model year.
Kia has three unveilings, including 2014 versions of its Sorento SUV and Forte compact sedan, plus the Trackster, a really cool two-door version of the boxy Soul.
For British SUV builder Land
Rover, the MIAS plays host to the Canadian debuts of the 2013 Range Rover and LR2 models.
Lexus shows off its redesigned IS compact sedan for the first time in our country, while Lincoln, Ford’s luxury brand, reveals its redesigned MKZ sedan at the MIAS.
The rich-looking, mid-sized Mazda6 makes its national auto show debut here as the latest model to use the brand’s SkyActiv fuel-saving powertrain and structural technologies. The CX-5 is not a new model, but will be shown in Montreal with a new, more powerful engine that’s been added to the line for 2014. Other new Mazdas on display include the restyled 2013 CX-9 large crossover and MX-5 roadster.
Mercedes-Benz presents its redesigned B 250 and dieselpowered GLK crossover as Canadian premieres. Also on display is a Smart Fortwo done up like a disco ball; we wish we could say this was a future production model, but alas, it’s a show car only.
Mini is showing its 2013 Paceman, which combines the Countryman’s all-wheel-drive capability with a sporty two-door body that more closely resembles the Cooper hatchback.
Nissan’s Canadian debut is a bit less exciting, unless you’re a plumber: the NV 200 is a small utility van akin to Ford’s Transit Connect in size and purpose.
Porsche has parked its 2013 911 Carrera 4 next to the rest of its lineup, and Scion is showing off an FR-S sports coupe that was tweaked and tuned by Canadian drift racer Pat Cyr.
Montreal showgoers will be the first in Canada to see the 2014 Subaru Forester under auto-show lights. It comes with updated styling, new transmissions and an available directinjected turbocharged engine. Alongside the Forester you’ll find the XV Crosstrek, a small crossover based on the Impreza hatchback (see Page J22).
Expect Toyota’s redesigned RAV4 crossover to generate plenty of interest as it makes its Canadian debut here.
Volvo will have its current lineup on display at the show, focusing on its most recent release: the S60 sedan.
Volkswagen’s four debuts are not new designs, but rather new variants of existing models. The most significant might be the Jetta Hybrid, the brand’s first gas- electric model. The Beetle was redesigned last year, but convertible (see cover photo) and TDI (diesel) models are new additions to the line, and the GTI Wolfsburg Edition is a new-for-2013 variant of that sporty hatchback. The 2010 Montreal International Auto Show runs through Sunday, Jan. 27, at the Palais des Congrès. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., except for the last day, when the doors close at 7 p.m. Admission is $16 for adults (13 years and older); adults with Accès Montreal or CAA-Quebec cards get in for $14. Students and seniors with ID get in for $13 and admission for kids ages 6 to 12 is $6. Kids under 6 get in for free. A family pass admits two adults and two kids (ages 6 to 12) for $38. Ticket counters close two hours before closing time, every day; tickets can also be purchased in advance at
www.montrealautoshow.com.
To get to the show, take the métro to the Place D’Armes station, bus routes 55 or 129, and follow the signs. Pedestrian street-level access is at 201 Viger Ave. W., 1001 Place Jean-Paul Riopelle and 301 St. Antoine St. W.