Montreal Auto Show: Kevin Mio’s picks,
THE 45TH EDITION OF THE MONTREAL INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW at the Palais des congrès has three floors of cool cars, fun gadgets and interesting concepts
With the cold weather sweeping over Montreal, what better way to keep warm than to head to the Montreal International Auto Show to see some cool cars under hot lights?
Now in its 45th edition, the show opened to the public on Friday and runs until Jan. 27 at the Palais des congrès.
While it doesn’t happen often, Montreal was the site of a world première on Thursday during the media preview of the show. Furthermore, there was also one North American première and dozens of Canadian firsts.
The displays, spread out over three floors at the Palais, show off the latest cars that will arrive soon at dealers, as well as some concepts that might not ever see the light of day, but are still fun to ogle.
Then there’s a Formula One car at Infiniti, a Scion FR-S drift car and the BMW race car of DTM champion Bruno Spengler, a Montrealer who was back home to speak with journalists this week.
Whether you are in the market for a new vehicle or just want to see some of the latest cars and gadgets, the show has a little something for everyone. That includes the local handyman looking for a new ride as Nissan is showing its NV 200 work truck for the first time in Canada.
The one glaring omission I am sure gearheads in Montreal would have loved to see is the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, which is on display in Detroit and lives up to the hype.
Here now, in no particular order, are some vehicles that might make your trip to the MIAS worthwhile. Honda Gear
When the sheet was removed Thursday, it marked the first time this study vehicle was seen in public anywhere.
The bright red model is hard to miss and demonstrates the Japanese company’s innovative approach to providing the automotive answer for young, urban, Gen-Y lifestyles, Honda said in a statement.
“Subcompact cars are usually either utilitarian, but uninspiring, or they’re fun, zippy cars that are impractical and too expensive for the Gen-Y buyer,” said Dave Marek, design director at Honda R&D Americas Inc. “Gear concept tears down those walls — it’s practical but fun, customizable, connected and affordable. Everything that young, discerning urban buyers would want in a car.”
Despite that, it is unlikely this car will ever be produced. Mini Paceman
Keeping with the small theme, Mini is once again expanding its lineup with the introduction of the 2013 Paceman.
The newest member of the family takes the brand into a new vehicle class, one they call the sports activity coupe for small and compact vehicles. The four-seater is attractive and adds another dimension to the lineup.
The Cooper Paceman will go on sale this spring in base and S Cooper Paceman All4 trims, followed a few months later by the Paceman John Cooper Works edition. Pricing will be released closer to the on-sale date. Kia Soul Track’ster
Kia says the track-inspired Track’ster is a hint of where the brand’s design may be headed — especially for the Soul, which is due for a redesign to be unveiled later this year.
The Track’ster is an interesting design that certainly shows an evolution for the brand. Undoubtedly, some elements of this concept will come to fruition — in one form or another — when the second generation of the Soul is released. Aston Martin DB9 and Vanquish
Sometimes, words don’t do a vehicle justice. That is the case with both of these beautiful supercars.
This is the first time these models are being shown in Canada, so it is worth a trip down to the show floor for that. Chevrolet Code 130R and Tru 140S Youth concepts
General Motors had the largest list of unveilings during media day at MIAS, with five. Without the Corvette, GM is showing the 2013 TRAX, 2014 Silverado pickup and the 10th generation of the Impala.
But they also showed off two concepts that were first displayed in Detroit in 2012: the Code 130R and Tru 140S Youth concepts, designed after input from people under 30. The two vehicles explore the styling and functionality this group of buyers indicated they would like to see in a new car, GM said. Scion FR-S drift car
Canadian driver Pat Cyr will be behind the wheel of this radically modified Scion FR-S for the coming season of the Drift Mania Canadian Championships. The car, done by Cyr and his team at Cyrious Garage works in Mississauga, Ont., is being shown for the first time in Montreal.
Cyr will be looking to improve on his second-place finish in the overall standings from last season when he takes the FR-S, which will have an estimated 500 horsepower, onto the circuit.
For more information, go to
www.patcyrracing.com Mitsubishi Mirage
The latest subcompact from Mitsubishi goes on sale this fall, but you can see it up close at the MIAS. Known as the Mirage in other markets, it is based on the company’s global small car and is being touted as one of Canada’s most affordable and fuel-efficient cars.
It will be powered by a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine and paired with either a fivespeed manual or a continuously variable transmission.
Pricing will be announced closer to its on-sale date.
Lincoln MKZ
The reinvention of Lincoln continues in earnest. After the unveiling of the MKC concept in Detroit, the all-new MKZ sedan is on the floor in Montreal.
This is the first of four new vehicles the company will be unveiling as it hopes to become a bigger player in the luxury segment in North America.
Fiat 500L
After the Cinquecento and the 500 Abarth, now comes the 500L, a longer and larger version of the vehicle that can seat five and carry more than a few grocery bags.
Even without the Fiat women, these cars are pretty nice to look at. And if you get a chance to see the three commercials produced for the 500L (just search Fiat 500L on YouTube), they are quite entertaining.
Mercedes-Benz GLK BlueTEC
This mid-sized SUV is already popular for the German automaker and it will only get better with the introduction of the diesel-powered version in a few months. Aside from the BlueTEC badge and fewer stops at the fuel station, you won’t really notice a difference, though.
Other vehicles of note at the show are the redesigned 2014 Kia Sorento and 2014 Kia Forte. Subaru’s 2014 Forester, the seven-seat Santa Fe XL are other new crossovers and SUVs on display.
Lexus is showing off its stunning IS350 F Sport, while Porsche isn’t far behind with the Cayman. Not to be outdone, BMW has the 2013 Z4 and the 2013 3 Series D on display.