2014 Canadian International Autoshow

The 2014 Canadian International AutoShow showcased over 1,000 new vehicles over 55,000 square meters of the Metro Toronto Convention Center. The AutoShow continues to be the largest consumer event in Canada, with over 300,000 visitors. In addition to the new vehicles, there were several exhibits to attract show-goers.

Auto Exotica was back with cars from Aston Martin, Maserati, Ferrari, Lotus and Fisker.
This year's Muscle Car Alley focused on Chrysler's Mopar performance era. The exhibit included cars like the Charger, Challenger, and Richard Petty's No. 43 Plymouth Superbird.
Returning for 2014 was the Cruise Nationals display, which featured many classic vehicles.
As usual, the winning vehicles, as selected by Canada's most respected automotive journalists, were on hand.
Finally, there was a tribute to Canadian Motorsports Hall Fame member Ron Fellows and the cars he has raced.

On hand was the 2015 Acura TLX. Acura offers three versions of this model. The base TLX has a 206 horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The optional TLX V-6 and TLX V-6 SH-AWD are powered by a 3.5 liter V6, producing 290 horsepower at 6,200 rpm. All engines use Acura's Drive-by-Wire Throttle System. Another feature that distinguishes the base from the V6s is wheel size. The larger displacement vehicles use an 18-inch diameter wheel, whereas the 2.4-liter motor has a 17-inch wheel.

Bentley has been producing cars since January 18, 1919. They are best known for their luxury vehicles but have also had success on the race tracks of Europe. This is a 2012 Bentley Continental Supersports. One of the car's notable features is the 6.0 liter twin-turbocharged W-12 engine. Behind the motor is a 6-speed automatic transmission with Bentley's Quickshift. Also of interest is the pillarless coupe design.

The Infiniti Q30 Concept results from a technology partnership between Infiniti, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan and Renault. The concept vehicle, which first appeared at the September 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, uses the Mercedes-Benz B/CLA/GLA-class platform. Next year, the Q30 will be produced with a Mercedes-Benz 1.6 or 2.0-liter turbocharged gas engine. A diesel alternative with a 1.5- or 2.2-liter turbocharged motor is available.

Another Concept vehicle at the Canadian International AutoShow was Nissan's Sport Sedan. The car debuted at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. This is believed to be the basis for the new Maxima. The Sport Sedan is slightly longer than the Maxima. Power comes from a 300-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine. The transmission is Nissan's sport-tuned Xtronic continuously variable unit.

The internationally successful Porsche GT3 Cup series was introduced to Canadian fans and participants in 2011. The championship is one of twenty-three similar GT3 Cup series contested worldwide. Porsche had a 2014 GT3 Cup on display. This model uses a 3.8-liter aluminum six-cylinder engine that produces 460 horsepower at 8,500 rpm. Stopping the 1,180-kg car, there are six-piston calipers on the front, while the rear has four-piston calipers.

The Kia Provo was unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The Provo is an all-wheel-drive, three-door subcompact hatchback. Power comes from a 1.6 liter Gamma turbo GDI four-cylinder engine, also used in the Hyundai Veloster Turbo. The gas motor drives the front wheels, and a hybrid system powers the rear wheels. Fitted to the motor is a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Muscle Car Alley included Richard Petty's 1970 Plymouth Superbird. In 1970, Petty won eighteen of forty races. He did not compete in all forty-eight contests and, as a result, finished fourth in the final standings. The 1970 Superbird was available with a 426 Hemi V8, 440 Super Commando V8 or 440 Commando Six Barrel V8. Transmission options were a 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic Torqueflite 727. Petty's car was equipped with the Hemi and manual transmission.

The first generation Ford Thunderbirds were available to the public from 1955 to 1957. The Thunderbird on display in the Cruise Nationals booth is a 1956 model. The car was introduced by Ford to compete with General Motors' new sports car, the Chevrolet Corvette. While the 1956 model appears similar to the 1955, it was given more trunk space, a spare tire mounted on the rear bumper, and improved cabin ventilation.

The most expensive car in Nissan's stable is the GT-R. The GT-R is powered by a 3.8 liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that delivers 545 horsepower and 463 lb-ft of torque. Performance-wise, the car will travel from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.7 seconds and has a top speed of 315 km/h. It is also an all-wheel-drive vehicle with ABS brakes and driveline traction control. With all these features, the car weighs 1,815 kg.

Another addition to Muscle Car Alley was this 1972 Dodge Challenger R/T, the Rallye model. The 1972 Challenger was available with one of three engine options. The first was Chrysler's famous slant six motor (225 cu.in.), which made 112 horsepower or the 318 cu. in. V8 with an output of 152 horsepower. The R/T usually received the 340 cu. in. which developed 240 horsepower at 4,800 rpm and a torque rating of 393 lb-ft at 3,600 rpm. The car weighs 3,360 pounds.

In contrast is Chrysler's 2014 Challenger. This model has the R/T Shaker package. The most notable feature is the fully functional air intake. Under the hood is Chrysler's 5.7 liter VVT Hemi. The engine is a 90-degree pushrod V8 with variable valve timing, a cast-iron block and aluminum cylinder heads. The unit produces 375 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. Connected to the motor is a 6-speed manual transmission.

And, now, for something completely different, Toyota's FV2. The FV2 is a future mobility concept car. It was designed to capture the spirit of Toyota's fun-to-drive philosophy. The vehicle does not have a steering wheel. Instead, the driver leans to the left or right to change directions. The FV2 is about connectivity with information transferred to the occupant from other vehicles and the infrastructure.

New for 2014 is the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250. The company's entry-level vehicle is expected to be a competitor for the Audi A3, Acura ILX, and Buick Verano. The CLA 250 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, producing 208 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It is a front-wheel drive vehicle, but an all-wheel-drive option is also available. The car will go from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds.

Unsurprisingly, Subaru's new WRX STi attracted a lot of attention. The engine and all-wheel drive make it a formidable package. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder motor is turbocharged, producing 305 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque. Bolted to the engine is a six-speed manual transmission. The WRX STi has a top speed of 160 mph and will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds.

This 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 was located in the Cruise Nationals compound. It is one of the first generation Camaros built from 1967 to 1969. General Motors introduced the Z/28 model to compete in the Trans Am series. The cars used a unique 302 cu. in. V8 engine that was homologated for the championship. The motor was equipped with a mechanical camshaft, 11:1 compression ratio pistons, and a Holley four-barrel carburetor, which produced 290 horsepower.

SpeedSource entered two Mazda Skyactiv Prototypes at this year's Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway. The chassis is a Lola, but the car is powered by a Mazda 2.2 liter diesel engine, which makes 451 horsepower and 580 lb-ft of torque. It is interesting to note that 51 percent of the engine components are stock. The Prototype is geared to reach a top speed of 186 mph. Unfortunately, neither car finished; however, there are fourteen more events this season.

Nismo is a division of Nissan that focuses on motorsport. Given the Nismo treatment, there was a 2014 Nissan Sentra in the Nissan exhibit. To begin with, the Sentra's 130 horsepower 1.8 liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder receives a turbocharger with an intercooler and sequential direct injection. The result boosts power to over 240 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. Stopping this additional power are Nissan 370Z brake calipers. The suspension is also upgraded with performance shocks.

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