HUGE thanks to Mercedes Benz Canada for helping me to secure tickets to VIP night, much appreciated.
In keeping with tradition, I was one of the first in line
Also in line with tradition, I saw the Pfaff Porsche outside while I was waiting lol.
High Performance Sedans
Although I looked at the exotics first, I will start my review with my favourite genre of cars, high performance sedans
As sad as I am about the AMG C63 moving to a smaller turbocharged engine, I have to admit that I liked the new interior A LOT! I also can’t ignore the fact that the engine develops 516 ft. lbs of torque!! I can’t wait to test drive one!
I drove the E63 wagon at a recent AMG event and it was great. I have always loved the concept of an ultra performance wagon.
Another one of my AMG favourites, the CLS63
Some of the most powerful 4 cylinders in the world, the CLA45 and GLA45
Nice to see Maybach again…though I think they should use the Maybach hood ornament…not used to seeing the Mercedes star
Audi had an impressive lineup at the show. I didn’t like the styling of the A7 when it first hit the market but it has grown on me. The RS7 variant has helped with that. The interior was fantastic as well.
A friend of mine recently traded in his V10 S8 for the new V8 version (I have ridden in both)…again, I am sad to see the move toward turbos..still a nice car though.
I saw an S3 sedan on the road the other day..i didn’t know about it before then so I was glad to see it at the show…while it is small, I do think it looks great.
The S6 also looks great.
The BMW M5 was one of the nicest looking cars at the show. This paintjob looks FANTASTIC in real life…actually this is the second year in a row where BMW had the best paint colour. Oh and the interior was great too.
Arch enemy to my AMG C63, the M3 sedan lol
German car makers no longer have a monopoly on supersedans, as evidenced by the wicked new Dodge Charger Hellcat…too bad we were not allowed to sit inside.
Ditto on the new Cadillac CTS-V
Jaguar XF-RS
Aston Martin Rapide
Rolls Royce Ghost
Sadly no more Evo but least we still have the Subaru WRX STi
SUVS
Moving on to SUVS, once again I am drawn to high performance variants, the pinnacle of which is the AMG G63. I know they did this green wrap for the show, but I much prefer the gold special from previous shows.
If the Gwagen is too small, how about a 4×4 commercial van? Lol…should be the A-team’s next vehicle.
I like the new Porsche Macaan, and its 400HP
Porsche Cayenne
I have always liked the styling of the BMW X6M…and its super wide tires
Hyper/Super/Sports cars
Now the moment most people have probably been waiting for, supercars. I don’t know if it is because of my age, but honestly these cars don’t excite me as much as they used to. Oh sure they are beautiful to look at and are fun to drive, but really I’d just rather have a 911 GT2 RS and be done with it.
Now that I have seen the three hypercars in person, LaFerrari, 918, and P1, I can say that I like the styling of the 918 the best.
The carbon fiber on the Pagani looks stunning.
This was my favourite looking car at last year’s show, Lambo Super Trofeo
I was at the Huracan unveiling party a few months ago, great event. However the Huracan is too small for me.
Still on my “list” the Nissan GT-R
One of my most anticipated cars of the show, the new AMG GT. Like most sports cars, I found it a bit snug. I have driven a few SLS over the years so I am very curious as to how this one compares to drive.
I have always thought Corvettes are the best sounding cars on the road. Based on the numbers, this Corvette Z06 should be a monster.
I love the ultra-aggressive look of the Camaro ZL1
By comparison, the Dodge Viper looks tame lol
Nice to see the resurgence of real muscle cars…so many options in the 500+ HP club, like the GT350
To me the Ford GT is too much of a departure from the original and I feel it should not wear the GT moniker. That issue aside, it does look great.
Though not quite as dramatic but impressive in its own right, Ford Focus ST
There were huge crowds around the Acura NSX but I was quite disappointed. It was wayyy smaller than I expected. And like the Ford GT, did not remind me of its namesake.
Nice throwback to see a Lotus Esprit
Compared to the more modern Evora
I do prefer the coupe to the convertible Jaguar Ftype RS
Same for the Audi R8
Bentley GTC
McLaren
Ferraris
Maserati
Detomaso Pantera
Alfa Romeo
Concept Cars
A glimpse of the future…Toyota
Lexus
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Maserati
Some general show pics
I didn’t get the concerts this year..but how about a Scionstyle haircut?
So all in all, a bit smaller than last year but still plenty of cool cars. Here’s to another great VIP night.
RL
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