TrackWorthy Debuts at the 2018 Canadian International AutoShow

by Michael Taylor, February 16 2018

Forty vehicles are making their Canadian debuts at this year’s Canadian International AutoShow, and fifteen of them are definitely TrackWorthy. More than 1,000 vehicles are on display covering more than 650,000 square feet of floor space. It is not only the largest automotive expo in Canada, it is also the largest consumer show in Canada. Last year, nearly 340,000 people attended the Canadian International AutoShow.

Here are our highlights (in alphabetical order) of the TrackWorthy cars exhibited for the first time in Canada:

BMW i8 Roadster

This year marks the debut of the first-ever BMW i8 drop top. The hybrid Coupe and Roadster are both powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine and a 9.4 kWh electric motor. Total power is rated at 369 hp. With electric power motivating the front wheels and gasoline power driving the rear wheels, the i8 will spring from 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. The i8 roadster features extensive use of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) and aluminum in its chassis and body panels. The launch of the roadster, along with the refreshed 2019 i8 coupe, is set for this spring.

Our Take: The BMW i8 Roadster is a show-stopper with its top down and doors up, appearing as though it is ready to take flight.

BMW M4 CS

The BMW M4 CS takes the already potent M4 and increases its performance levels. The 3.0-litre M TwinPower turbocharged inline 6 cylinder engine generates 460 hp. It run from zero to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds on the way to a top speed of 280 km/h. The M4 CS fills the gap between the M4 Coupe with the Competition Package and the extremely track-focused M4 GTS. The M4 CS comes standard with the seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission (M DCT) with Drivelogic. It is fitted with light-alloy 19″ rims up front and 20″ rims in the rear, designed exclusively for the M4 CS, wrapped in 265/35 R 19 and 285/30 R 20 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires front and rear.

Our Take: The CS succeeds in subtly adding performance and presence to this German muscle car.

Cadillac DPi-V.R Race Car

The all-new Cadillac DPi-V.R made its racing debut last month at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, but, unfortunately, it did not complete the race, finishing 45th overall. Surprisingly, the ultra-exotic prototype race cars utilize many elements from the current lineup of Cadillac V-Performance models. At the heart of the car beats a race-prepped naturally aspirated Cadillac 6.2 liter V-8 engine that shares its inherent architecture with the engines of the 640 hp Cadillac CTS-V and the 420 hp Cadillac Escalade. The DPi-V.R’s engine produces about 600 hp, which is controlled by IMSA-mandated air restrictors, with a maximum allowable RPM of 7,600. The engine transfers power to the rear wheels through an X-TRAC paddle-shift transmission. On hand for the media day were the car’s drivers Jordan Taylor and Renger van der Zande. The DPi race cars participate in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series, which is the fastest and most technologically advanced sports car racing series in North America.

Our Take: This car is mesmerizing to look at. It is so incredibly exotic looking all of which is meant for one thing, speed. We can only imagine how exhilarating and challenging it would be to race this car in battle with 600 hp under your right foot in a car that weighs just 2,050 lbs.

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

The 2019 Corvette ZR1 is the fastest production Corvette ever. Its supercharged 6.2-litre LT5 V8 engine delivers the highest output ever for a Chevrolet production vehicle, thanks in part to a new, more-efficient, intercooled supercharger system that offers 52 percent more displacement than the Z06’s LT4 supercharger. GM’s first dual-fuel-injection system utilizes primary direct injection and supplemental port injection, helping the LT5 achieve its record output. The engine generates 755 hp and 715 lb-ft of torque. Available are two aerodynamics packages, which include a wing that will create an estimated 950 pounds of downforce. Buyers have the choice between either a 7-speed manual or an 8-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission . The top speed of the ZR1 is 210 mph. 0-60 mph is expected to be under 3 seconds.

Our Take: We cannot predict the future, but this could end up being the most powerful Corvette ever. It is hard to image that the next gen ZR1 could have 800+ hp and 800+ lb-ft of torque, but we can always hope.

Ford Mustang Bullitt

Ford is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic Steve McQueen movie Bullitt with the launch of the new 2019 Mustang Bullitt. The Bullitt is equipped with an upgraded 5.0-litre V8 engine that will generate 475 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. The new Bullitt will have a top speed of 262 km/h which is a 13 km/h increase over the Mustang GT. This special-edition model is due out in the summer. It is equipped with a manual transmission with a gear shifter featuring a white cue ball shift knob as seen on the original 1968 Mustang in the movie. Other standard equipment includes a 12-inch all-digital LCD instrument cluster with a unique Bullitt welcome screen that starts in green with an image of the car rather than the pony.

Our Take: If you are a fan of the original Bullitt Mustang, then owning this generation’s tribute car should thrill with every gear change of the white cue ball shifter.

Hyundai Veloster and Veloster N

The all-new Veloster offers the appeal of a sport coupe with the versatility of an additional passenger side rear door in an asymmetrical two-plus-one configuration. Available LED headlights and LED Daytime Running Lights flank the new grille design. Functional air curtains add to the cars active aerodynamic function. The Veloster features an Atkinson-cycle 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine that delivers 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Three driver-selectable modes include Normal, Sport, and Smart.

All-new for the North American market is the N version. N stands for the two locations where the performance line was developed and tested, in Namyang, Korea and the Nürburgring in Germany. The Veloster N has an exclusive N-design front fascia and grille with dedicated front air ducts for great brake cooling, exclusive N-design rocker side sills and lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels fitted with 235/35R19 Pirelli P-Zero summer tires. The Veloster N has a larger N-design rear spoiler, rear fascia design with integrated diffuser, and a high-flow dual exhaust. The Veloster N has a direct-injected turbocharged engine pumping out 275 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and will be available this fall.

Our Take: N models, including the i30 N, have not been made available in Canada, until now. Hyundai wants us to think of N not as an option on a car, but as a separate performance line (as M is to BMW, AMG is to Mercedes, etc.). We look forward to putting the Veloster N through its paces and experiencing that for ourselves.

Infiniti Project Black S Concept

The Project Black S Concept represents a collaboration between Infiniti and the Renault Sport Formula One Team. The Project Black S Concept was built to be the most radical reinterpretation of the Infiniti Q60 coupe. An aerodynamically optimized design allows the Project Black S to retain the sports coupe’s deep creases and lines. In addition to a more aggressive design, the performance hybrid powertrain being explored through Project Black S features an energy recovery system (ERS) to harvest energy, deploying recovered electric power to boost power and torque. This is directly inspired by the dual-hybrid system proven in Formula 1 cars, which provides instant, lag-free acceleration. This technology does not yet exist in a current road car. Also on hand was the ultra-stylish all-electric Prototype 9 Concept car, which is a reimagining of what a 1930s Infiniti race car might have looked like.

Our Take: Unfortunately, right now, the Infiniti Project Black S Concept appears to be just that, a concept car. We hope that Infiniti decides to produce a car with this much performance potential at some point.

Koenigsegg Agera RS

Simply put, the Koenigsegg Agera RS is the fastest production car in the world. This Agera RS set five world records for a production vehicle in 2017, including highest top speed for a production vehicle of 447.19 km/h (277.87 mph); fastest 0-400-0 kilometers per hour of just 33.29 seconds; and highest speed achieved on a public road of 457.94 km/h (284.55 mph). It is powered by a twin-turbocharged 5.0-litre aluminum V8 which produces 1,360 hp and 944 lb-ft of torque. Only 25 examples of this car will be built.

Our Take: Christian von Koenigsegg is one of the nicest and most understated supercar creators in the world who continues to deliver unimaginably fast hypercars.

Mercedes-AMG Project One

The Project One represents a collaborative effort by AMG engineers in Germany, along with the company’s Formula 1 operations in Britain. The outcome is quite incredible because, essentially, they have transplanted the high-performance plug-in hybrid drive system from the team’s Formula 1 car into a car that is legal for use on public roads. The mid-mounted V6 engine is capable of reaching engine speeds of 11,000 rpm, unheard of for a production car. Power will be sent to all four wheels via an AMG eight-speed manual transmission. AMG pegs total system power at 1,000 hp, which can propel the Project One from 0-200 km/h in less than six seconds on its way to a top speed of 350 km/h. The car also carries a staggering price tag of close to $4 million CAD, including fees and taxes. Only 275 of these cars will be built with several reportedly coming to Canada.

Our Take: This car could provide its owner with the ultimate bragging rights: a Formula 1 drivetrain dropped (and very massaged) into a street legal road car. Owners can watch Lewis Hamilton win Formula 1 championships on Sunday, and then drive so much of that performance technology to work on Monday.

Porsche 718 Cayman GTS and 718 Boxster GTS

The 718 Boxster GTS and 718 Cayman GTS get upgraded 2.5-litre turbocharged flat 4 cylinder engines which produce 365 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with a seven-speed PDK automatic available as an option. 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) can be reached in just 3.9 seconds, with a top track speed of 290 km/h. Porsche Torque Vectoring, the Sport Chrono Package and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), which adjusts the ride height up to 10 mm, also come standard. Both models will go on sale in the first quarter of 2018. The 718 Cayman GTS has a starting price of $90,600, while pricing for the 718 Boxster GTS begins at $93,000.

Porsche 911 Carrera T

The Porsche 911 Carrera T pays tribute to the original 1968 911T. The Carrera T is lighter, has a manual transmission and comes with a shorter transaxle ratio and a mechanical rear differential lock. Other standard kit includes PASM Sport Suspension with a 10 mm lower ride height, shorter gear shifter (with a red shift pattern), and optional rear-axle steering. The Carrera T is powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat 6 cylinder engine that produces 370 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. It will accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds and has a top speed of 182 mph (293 km/h). Manual and PDK transmissions are available. The Carrera T goes on sale in the first quarter of 2018 with a starting price of $116,500.

Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series

The 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series is the most powerful and unique 911 Turbo S ever. Equipped with a 3.8-litre biturbo flat 6 cylinder engine, the 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series produces 607 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. 0-100 km/h happens in just 2.9 seconds with a top speed of 330 km/h. All 500 units of this limited-edition model are being finished by hand in the new Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, the in-house specialist workshop in Zuffenhausen, Germany. Pricing for Canadian models start at $293,800.

Porsche 911 GT2 RS

The 911 GT2 RS is the most powerful 911 that Porsche has ever built. The 911 GT2 RS is powered by a 3.8-litre biturbo flat 6 cylinder engine which generates 700 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. Its 3.8-litre engine has larger turbochargers and a specially-developed lightweight titanium exhaust system. 0-100 km/h blasts take just 2.8 seconds with a top speed of 340 km/h. The GT2 RS is equipped with a custom seven-speed double-clutch (PDK) transmission that drives the rear wheels. Standard equipment also includes 20-inch front wheels, 21-inch rear wheels, Ultra High-Performance tires, Porsche Ceramic Composite brakes, and a unique sport interior. Canadian pricing starts at $334,000. The Weissach Package, which provides 20 kg. of weight savings and unique appearance is available for an additional $35,370.

Our Take: We have heard for years that the majority of Porsches sold have four doors. We prefer those with just two, and so we are gladdened to see that at this year’s car show, it was all about Porsche’s TrackWorthy 2-door sports cars.

Subaru WRX STI Type RA

The 2018 Subaru WRX STI Type RA (which stands for “Record Attempt”) is aimed at the most enthusiast WRX STI owners. The Type RA has increased performance through weight reduction, suspension improvements and engine upgrades. Output from the 2.5-litre turbocharged 4 cylinder boxer engine has been increased to 310 horsepower through the addition of a new cold air intake and high flow performance exhaust. The six-speed manual transmission has a revised third-gear ratio and a short-throw shifter. Each Type RA model comes equipped with a carbon fibre roof panel, removal of the spare tire, a huge adjustable carbon fibre wing and lightweight BBS 19-inch forged alloy gold rims wrapped in 245/35R19 Yokohama Advan Sports tires.

Our Take: We think this is one of the best-looking factory delivered WRX STIs to date. We would love to have one parked in our driveway, ready for an onslaught of track days (and taking on winter’s worst with a set of snow tires).

Canadian International AutoShow Dates

The Canadian International AutoShow (CIAS) is open to the public at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from February 16th through February 25th. Details can be found at the shows website at autoshow.ca.