This was my fifth time attending VIP Night at the Canadian International Autoshow so I knew what to expect. Namely, a party atmosphere with well-dressed industry folks surrounded by free food, alcohol, DJs, live music (Blue Rodeo!) and of course, amazing cars! Most of the cars are unlocked too!
As usual, I started out in the Auto Exotica section at the Autostrada booth. I heard they were bringing the Pagani Huayra R that I saw at Pfaff a couple of months ago. At the time, I thought it was one of the most beautiful cars that I have ever seen, possibly even topping the Zonda R. It is the only one in Canada and has been sold for $5 million so this may be my last chance to see it again.
Full shot of the Autostrada booth
F50
F40
Diablo
Countach
Carerra GT
Lexus LFA
Cobble Beach Classics Tribute to Mercedes featuring a collection of the brand’s cars spanning 135 years (from 1886 to 2021!)
2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series “P-One Edition” with 730 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. There are only 275 of these available exclusively to AMG Project One buyers.
2015 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT Final Edition (I have driven this car at an AMG event)
2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Coupe
I’ll cover the other booths on this level later but first, Grand Touring who brought another Pininfarina Battista, this time a red Edizione Nino Farina. Thanks to its 1,900 hp it can rocket from zero to 100 km/h in 1.8 seconds!
Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport with almost 1,500 hp, and one of only 60 in the world
Aston Martin Vanquish
Bentley Continental GTC Speed. I could use one of these! So beautiful.
Lamborghini Revuelto, the first super sports V12 hybrid plug-in HPEV (High Performance Electrified Vehicle)
Rolls-Royce Cullinan
The “coach doors” (do not call them “suicide doors”!) were open for us to take a look inside
The Spirit of Ecstasy, don’t touch it!
Ghost with an incredible green metallic paintjob
The Ghost interior
Maserati MC20 Cielo, which features butterfly doors and a cool retractable electrochromic (smart glass) roof. Even better, its Nettuno V6 engine is equipped with an innovative Formula 1-derived pre-chamber combustion system unique to Maserati. This system, along with dry-sump lubrication, large twin-turbos, and optimal cooling design, allow it to produce 621 hp from just 3.0 litres.
The GranTurismo Trofeo also has an Formula 1-derived V6 engine, inherited from the MC20 super sports car, with 542 hp in this incarnation.
Barbie Maserati
Ferrari 296 GTS
V12-powered Ferrari Purosangue
Ferrari Roma Spider
Now on to the Barrett-Jackson display
My favourites were the 1970 Chevelle SS
and 2017 Viper ACR
Lotus Emira and Elise courtesy of Gentry Lane
Aston Martin at SimStaff’s booth
Lamborghini Huracan
BMW at RClub
McLaren at Pfaff’s booth
Matching Lego Technic and actual McLaren P1
And another McLaren at BetMGM
Alfa Romeo Giulia and Tonale PHEV
Ok now the German cars! Good to see Mercedes, BMW, and Audi back at the show! Mercedes had 12 or 13 cars, my favourite of which was the Maybach EQS 680 4MATIC SUV.
It definitely had the coolest wheels I have ever seen, made of little Maybach logos.
Luxurious interior
The G-580 EQ Technology was also impressive. It can climb up to a 100 percent grade (45 degrees), as showcased on this 11.5-foot-high display!
AMG E53
AMG GT
AMG SL 63
Not at the Mercedes booth but I came across a Sprinter
BMW really went all out for this year’s Autoshow. They are the first automaker to ever occupy Level 600, which is between the North and South buildings, as this level has never been taken over by a single brand. Labelling the area the “Level ///M” takeover, BMW is showcasing several cars and motorcycles from their M lineup.
Including an actual racecar
And the rare M4CS (so happy to see this) which will do 0-60 in 3.4 seconds with its 550HP.
For even more of a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” the M5 Touring has a twin-turbo V8 with electric power to produce 727HP and will do 305 km/h
The M2 puts out 480 HP for a 0-60 of 4.0 seconds flat.
In case you were not aware, BMW also has ///M Performance versions of their motorcycles.
In addition to the ///M display, BMW had booths to cover all parts of their lineup including internal combustion, battery-electric, and Sport Activity Vehicles, as well as MINI. They were also offering test drives of the all-new X3 M50, the award-winning i4 M50, i5 M60, iX M60, MINI JCW 3-door, and MINI Countryman SE. Attendees also have the opportunity to capture memorable moments with a special photo opportunity, as well as the chance to enter a draw for a grand prize travel experience.
I almost missed the Audi booth as I was about to head home but remembered there is usually a display in that area. Glad I stopped in as I really liked the “vibe” and there were some great cars to see, like the Audi RS6 Avant GT. I love performance wagons and this one fits the bill with 621HP and 0-60 in 3.3 seconds.
Performance sedans are my favourite and the RS3 is a great one. Although it has a 2.5 litre 5-cylinder with “just” 401HP, it will do 0-60 in 3.6 seconds, all for under $65,000.
The venerable R8 V10 that I am sure you have seen in countless movies
RS Q8 Performance if you want an SUV that accelerates to 60 in 3.4 seconds and does 190MPH
RS e-tron GT Performance with two numbers you need to know: 912 and 2.4.
Now some American cars. The Mustang GTD, powered by a supercharged 5.2L V8 engine, set a lap time of 6:57.685 around the Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany, making it the first American production car to complete a sub-seven-minute lap!
The Corvette ZR1 is gunning for the GTD’s ‘Ring record with 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that generates 1064 horsepower and 828 lb-ft of torque. With optional carbon fiber aero package, it generates 1,200 pounds of downforce at top speed!
I loved the styling on the Corvette’s Z06 GT3 car
A bit more discreet but highly capable with a 6.2L supercharged V8 putting out 668 HP and 659 lb. ft of torque, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. It’s incredibly comfortable inside. Definitely high on my list when it comes time to buy a new car.
I actually prefer the styling of the CT4-V Blackwing and it is also very comfortable but I prefer a V8 over its twin-turbo V6
If you want essentially the same engine (tuned to an even higher 682HP) as the Blackwing in a giant SUV body, the Escalade-V is just for you. I think it’s beautiful, especially in all black.
Some concept cars from Cadillac, the Celestiq
And Sollei concept
I love the Willy’s variant of the Jeep Wrangler! This spec adds 33” offroad tires, LED headlamps and fog-lights, locking rear differential, trailer-tow and auxiliary switches. And it looks GREAT!
If 33” tires aren’t enough….
The Dodge Charger Daytona, the brand’s first all-electric vehicle and the world’s most powerful muscle car, with Track, Drag, Donut, and Drift modes
Ok I know I have been focusing on super expensive cars so here is one of my show favourites in a much more reasonable range, the Toyota GR Corolla now available with automatic transmission and still 300HP.
Ineos Grenadier from France
Awesome Terradyne armoured vehicle
Not sure what this was, but I liked it!
Blue Rodeo in concert!
So which were my absolute favourites? Too many to pick just one, even by category. So here is a my attempt at a shortlist. Guess I need a bigger garage.
Hypercar: Pagani Huayra R, Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport
Performance car: Mustang GTD, BMW M4CS, Bentley Continental GTC Speed, Toyota GR Corolla
Performance sedan: Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Performance wagon: BMW M5 Touring, Audi RS6 Avant GT Performance
SUV: Terradyne, Cadillac Escalade-V, Tesla Cybertruck, Maybach EQS 680, Jeep Willys
RL
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