Aside from the uncomfortable early-morning media day grilling of Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne and his $3.6-billion proposal to continue manufacturing in Canada with assistance from tax-payer money (to produce both minivans and the Chrysler 300 sedan), the 2014 Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS) opens its door to the public in Toronto, where consumers are treated to exciting, soon-to-be-released vehicles.
Canada’s largest auto show, CIAS, never disappoints, showcasing the latest and greatest from the automakers, including exclusive auto premieres from the affordable to the not-so-affordable. Here are our Top 10 vehicles Canadian car shoppers should pay attention to (excluding the McLaren P1!).
1. 2015 Nissan Micra
Priced under $10,000…and it’s not ugly.
Affordability shouldn’t equate to ugly. Fortunately, the 2015 Nissan Micra gets that. Hitting Canadian dealerships this spring (unavailable in the US), the Nissan Micra, priced at exactly $9,998 CDN MSRP, makes this sub-compact Canada’s lowest-priced vehicle. Mixing European styling with Japanese craftsmanship, Nissan believes the Micra will make a significant impact on the automotive market, particularly for the urbanites looking to make a statement.
With several customization options, including an accessory package for less than $200 and other lifestyle accessories like ski/bike racks, the 2015 Nissan Micra is great for Canadians looking for an affordable, fun, fuel-efficient commuter. Trims include the Micra S, SV (volume seller), and SR.
2. 2015 Porsche Macan
Small, sexy, and packing 400 horsepower
Porsche has come a long way since announcing its entry into the SUV market in 2002. Building on the incredible success of the Cayenne, coupled with the growing consumer popularity of the smaller utes, welcome the 2015 Porsche Macan. Small and sexy, the 2015 Porsche Macan will be available in two flavours: Macan S and Macan Turbo.
The S finds a respectable 340 hp via the 3.0L V6 engine, accelerating 0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds; the Turbo trim finds a 3.6L V6 producing 400 hp, with 1-100 km/h in only 4.6 seconds. The 2015 Porsche Macan hit Canadian dealers in late 2014, priced at $54,300 for the Macan S and $82,200 for the Macan Turbo.
3. 2015 Subaru WRX STI
Even better handling & agility…yes, it’s possible.
Absolutely stunning (and still badass), the all-new 2015 Subaru WRX finds a brand new 4-cylinder, direct injection turbocharged engine putting down 268-hp and 258 lb.ft of torque, and now comes equipped with a new 6-speed manual or an optional Sport Lineartronic.
For the hardcore Subie fans, the 2015 WRX STI now offers a stiffer chassis for increased handling and agility, if possible. With firmer springs and quicker steering response, the 2015 Subaru WRX STI delivers 305 horsepower and was available across Canada in the spring of 2014.
4. 2015 McLaren P1
The unattainable hybrid hypercar
With only 375 to be produced worldwide and all accounted for (including seven sold in Canada), the 2015 McLaren P1 won’t be on your grocery-getter short-list, even if you’ve got the $1,190,000 US MSRP to spend. The McLaren P1 weighs 3,073 pounds and propels to 187 miles/hr in under 17 seconds, producing 727 horsepower via a 3.8L engine.
Meanwhile, the P1 Hybrid finds a combined power output of 903 hp, doing 0-100k in 2.8 seconds. According to famous driver Chris Harris (and coming from the Pfaff, the outfit selling the P1 in Canada), the 2015 McLaren P1 is the best car he’s ever driven. We won’t argue with that. The P1 will hit the streets this March/April and in Canada this June 2014. Meantime, check out our 2015 McLaren 650s Spider review here.
5. 2015 Ford F-150
Now, with an aluminum body: lighter, better
Canada’s best-selling pickup for almost 50 years, the 2015 Ford F-150, steps it up even further. Big-time. New is the F-150’s high-strength aluminum-alloy body, shaving off more than 313 kgs of weight. Coupled with an all-new high-strength steel frame and four engine choices, the 2015 F-150 is arguably the most impressive yet.
A 2.7L EcoBoost engine with standard auto start-stop and a 3.5L V6 engine are new offerings, alongside the available 3.5L EcoBoost and 5.0L V8 power plants. The 2015 Ford F-150 has a 360-degree camera and 400-watt power outlets inside. The 2015 F-150 goes on sale in Canada in late 2014.
6. 2015 Volvo S60 & V60 Polestar
Fastest production Volvo ever
Canada is one of only a few lucky markets to be offered the 2015 Volvo S60 Polestar sedan (seen here) and the V60 Polestar sports wagon – the fastest production Volvos in history. Powered by a 6-cylinder turbo-charged T6 engine, these Volvos produce 345 hp at 5700 rpm and 369 lb. ft of torque at only 2800 rpm.
To keep up with performance, the 2015 Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar find 80 percent stiffer springs than those on the S60 R-Design, coupled with an upgraded, more rigid overall body structure. A limited number of these Polestar versions will be available, hitting dealers in the summer of 2014.
7. 2015 Hyundai Genesis
More power than the Germans
2015 marks the second generation of the award-winning Hyundai Genesis full-size sedan. Available in either the 5.0L GDI V8 or the revised 3.8L GDI V6, the all-new 2015 Hyundai Genesis now delivers around 311 hp and 293 lb. ft of torque from the 3.8L V6 — that’s more power than the 2014 Audi A6 and 2014 BMW 5-Series.
The 5.0L Genesis puts down an estimated 420 hp and 383 lb. ft of torque. Aside from the stellar styling, the new Genesis will be the first Hyundai to receive the all-new HTRAC all-wheel drive system. Priced at $43,000 CDN MSRP, the 2015 Hyundai Genesis arrives at dealerships in spring 2014.
8. 2015 Corvette Z06
625-hp and optional 8-speed paddle shifters
We reeled when GM unveiled the 2014 Corvette Stingray, which seemed like just yesterday. Now, we reel again, gawking at the all-new 2015 Corvette Z06 with its mind-blasting estimated 625 hp and 635 lb.-ft of torque from the race-proven supercharged engine — the only supercar with this much power offering the choice of a 7-speed stick shift or the all-new track-certified 8-speed paddle-shift automatic.
To accommodate the larger wheels and tires, the 2015 Z06 gets flared fenders extending 80mm in the front and 56mm in the rear, while the aggressive styling is bold yet functional, generating true downforce for better cornering goodness at higher speeds. Like or no like, the 2015 Corvette Z06 is perhaps the most menacing Corvette rendition yet. Of course, the 2023 Corvette Z06 steps up the power even more.
9. 2015 Kia K900
The Korean automaker’s newest luxury full-size sedan
Kia’s new luxury sedan, the K900, made its Canadian debut at the 2014 CIAS show. Arriving in showrooms in spring 2014, the all-new K900 is a full-size luxury sedan looking to compete with the Germans (Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz). Pricing will likely hover around the $60,000 range, offered as a rear-wheel drive with a V6 engine, followed by a possible V8 offering later. Here’s our full Kia K900 review.
10. 2015 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe V8
Putting Jaguar back on the map
The first rendition of the F-Type arrived in the form of the C-X16 concept car released several years ago. Today, the F-Type brings that concept to fruition; first, it was released as a convertible and is now available in three new hardtop versions, including the 550-hp V8 R Coupe (seen here), the 380-hp S Coupe, or simply the 340-hp V6 F-Type Coupe. It is priced at $109,900 MSRP, $84,900, and $72,900, respectively.
