> AUTO SHOW BRINGING THE BEST OF THE BEST
While the Aston Martin-Red Bull Racing hypercar is expected to be a huge hit, there are many other attractions on offer at this year’s Canadian International AutoShow, which opens at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre next Friday.
First and foremost, this is an auto show designed to display more than 1,000 new cars and trucks that are on sale across Canada this year. But within that whole, there are many parts.
For instance, green technology will be on display, with manufacturers offering 29 electric, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles. Several will be making their Canadian debuts at the show, including the Swiss-built Oasis autonomous/ electric concept car, designed to show what mobility in downtown city centres might look like.
Introduced at the CES show in Las Vegas in January, the Oasis was a hit at the show in Detroit a week later, and it was there that Canadian AutoShow GM Jason Campbell made arrangements for it to make its Canadian debut at the Toronto show.
Now, more than 40 new vehicles will make their Canadian debuts in Toronto, including the MercedesAMG GT C Roadster (another road car taking inspiration from the company’s F1 racing program); the Audi TT RS (one wicked sports coupe); the BMW M760Li xDrive; the 2018 Honda Odyssey minivan and the Hyundai Elantra GT 5-Door.
Speaking of Hyundai, it has a global unveiling planned but is keeping quiet about details until Media Day on Thursday, when all the Canadian makers will be holding press conferences to unveil their new products.
On the 100 level, showgoers will find a special display/exhibit celebrating 50 years of Grand Prix racing in Canada. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first Formula 1 race in the country — held at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (previously called Mosport). Among the exhibits is the car Canadian star Jacques Villeneuve drove to the 1997 world championship. As well, a car raced by his late father, Gilles Villeneuve (a Ferrari), and a Ford Mustang he drove around the south of France when he raced in F1, will be part of the display.
Tickets for the show can be purchased in advance at autoshow.ca Those 60 and over can purchase tickets at the gate at a discount (weekends and holidays excepted), and certain days are set aside for special events, such as Family Day on Feb. 20 and Super Tuesday where tickets (online and at the gate) will be discounted, thanks to RBC. The Volkswagen Family Admission pass (two adults and two children for $45) is available again.
Something new at the show this year will be Auto Show Live, where panel discussions and one-on-one interviews are planned. Sessions are scheduled for three times a day. Check the auto show website (autoshow.ca) or the Toronto Star’s free tabloid newspaper, available daily at the show, for lineups.