2014 CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW HIGHLIGHTS New Cars. New Exhibits. Big Announcements.

Posted on February 17, 2014

SHOW REPORT

This year marks the 40th Anniversary for the Canadian International AutoShow and they are celebrating that milestone with something to interest everyone, from new concept and production cars to green vehicles and hot rods.

VEHICLE PREMIERES

At least 40 North American and Canadian vehicle premieres highlight the 40th anniversary of the Canadian International AutoShow (CIAS).

These premieres include:

2014 Audi R8
BMW M6 Gran Coupe
2013 SRT Viper
Ford Fiesta ST
2014 Cadillac ELR
2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid
2014 Kia Cadenza
Jaguar F-Type
Jaguar XFR-S
Lexus LF-CC
Lexus LF-LC
Maserati Quattroporte
2014 Mazda6 SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel

CONCEPT CARS on display to wow you and stretch your imagination include:

Volkswagen Cross Coupe
Honda Urban SUV Concept
Acura NSX Concept
Hyundai Genesis Concept
Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe
Toyota Fun-Vii Concept

AUTO EXOTICA!

If you have any interest at all in cars, exotic cars have a magnetic attraction. There is no dream more compelling, no vision more appealing than the image of one day owning and driving an exotic and the 2013 CIAS is sure to help fuel those dreams.

“Auto Exotica” which was a spectacular feature of the 2012 Canadian International Auto Show is back again for 2013, returning to its exclusive location in the Constitution Hall on the 100 level of the North Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

On display are the Ferrari 599XX, the Maserati MC12 Corsa, the Alfa Romeo 8C Spider and much more.

ECO-DRIVE SHOWCASE

Fuel Efficient Technologies for Today and Tomorrow

Continuing from its “premiere” in 2012, the 2013 edition of the “Eco-Drive Showcase” are expanded and relocated to the 800 level of the South Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

The expanding range of high-efficiency and low-environmental-impact vehicles and the technologies they employ is not well-understood by much of the general public. Here, potential consumers can have their FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) answered.

The exhibit features an array of clean, fuel efficient vehicles and technologies from more than a dozen manufacturers that are on the market right now-or soon will be.

The exhibit’s focus is to demonstrate that there is not just one but a broad range of energy-efficient alternatives, and the display will highlight a broad spectrum of those technologies. Featured vehicles include diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric powertrains as well as advanced conventional technologies.

CRUISE NATIONALS

Along with exhibits of more than 1000 new cars and trucks, the Canadian International AutoShow is famous for its classic vehicle exhibits. Inspired by the popularity of weekly car cruises, Cruise Nationals was born, with a mandate to support and celebrate the weekly car cruise and, in conjunction with the CIAS, provide automotive enthusiasts the opportunity to share their passion at Canada’s premier automotive event.

For the past 9 years, Cruise Nationals has showcased the very best custom and restored cars and trucks from Southern Ontario that were built prior to 1975.

The format for selecting the 10 vehicles for the Cruise Nationals display is based on an elimination process, with 10 Cruise Nationals Regional Cruises hosting car shows to select 60 representative vehicles. At a season ending event entitled “Cruise Nationals Season Finale” 10 finalists are selected from those 60 for display and selection of the winner at the CIAS. As Cruise Nationals is not a concours event, the artistry of each vehicle is to be appreciated on a “first impression” basis.

This year’s finalists are:

Steven Bloom (1955 Ford F100 Pick-up)
Bob Cram (1953 Chevrolet 1300 Pick-up)
Paul Hopla (1970 Dodge Challenger)
Alex McClure (1955 Mercury Montclair Convertible)
Cleo Tobias (1969 Lincoln Mark III)
Kevin Saindon (1939 Rord Roadster)
Jules Saari (1934 Ford 3 Window Coupe)
Frank Mitchell (1937 Studebaker Dictator Model 6A)
Jason & Teresa Villari (1956 Ford Thunderbird)
Robert & Fiona Young (1971 Plymouth Cuda)

HOT ROD AND CANADIAN CUSTOM BUILDERS SHOWCASE

Not everyone is content to leave their vehicles as they were delivered from the factory. Many enthusiasts prefer to put the stamp of their own personality on their conveyances.

Decades ago that desire spawned the construction of both hot rod and custom cars and the business of building such cars has blossomed into a multi-billion-dollar business.

The AutoShow celebrates the craft of the hot-rod and custom-car builder with a display of fabulous and at times, outrageous vehicles from Canadian Hot Rod builders. These builders represent the genesis of automotive design in the expression of their talent and craftsmanship in their creations.

AUTOCONNECT SHOWCASE – THE ROAD TO AUTONOMOUS DRIVING

“Discover, Connect, Experience” has been a theme of the Canadian International AutoShow since 2011.

Spot on. For “Connectivity” is now the automotive industry’s hottest ‘buzz’ word, making news all over the world. Bringing that buzz to life is the AutoConnect Showcase – a brand new feature exhibit at the 2014 Canadian International AutoShow.

AutoConnect’s purpose is to make consumers aware of all the varied connectivity features available in today’s vehicles and to preview features that could become available in the future. Within this decade, the dreams of cars that won’t collide with each other and autonomous cars that can drive themselves are very real possibilities. In fact, they’re almost here now.

Through visual effects, interactive displays and realistic simulations, visitors to the show will experience for themselves that the future is not only exotic and exciting but in many respects it is already here. These technologies and vehicles are the focus of the 2014 CIAS’s AutoConnect Showcase, located on the 800 level of the south Metro Convention Centre. It’s one of the many “not-to-be-missed” features of the 2014 Canadian International Auto Show.