Preview: 2013 Canadian International Auto Show

Preview and photos by Jonathan Yarkony and Autos.ca staff

Photo Gallery:
2013 Canadian International Auto Show

Toronto, Ont. – The Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS) in Toronto, Ontario is a rare opportunity for consumers to see the latest vehicles launched by manufacturers, some rare and interesting concept, not to mention almost every new vehicle on the market and coming to market in the near future. You will also find a variety of exclusive supercars, custom modified vehicles, and this year a homage to Custom Hot Rod Builders.

Here we present some of the major reveals and significant vehicles you can see at the 2013 CIAS. You can also pick up the 2013 Official Program that includes a free copy of autoTRADER.ca’s 2013 Buyer’s Guide.

Speed Freaks

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

GM has been stringing us along for years with concepts and teasers, but it is finally here: the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette. The Corvette is the quintessential, iconic American sports car, and the current C6 generation took its performance to supercar-demolishing levels in ZR1 trim. The highly anticipated C7 Vette will start with an all-new 6.2L V8 (LT1) incorporating direct injection, cylinder deactivation, and continuously variable valve timing. It will deliver in the neighbourhood of 450 horsepower and 450 lb-ft, with anticipated acceleration times to 60 mph in under four seconds, yet also promises to be the most efficient Corvette ever. You knew it was going to be fast, but GM is also aiming to address the longstanding complaints about the car’s interior quality, so expect them to deliver Cadillac levels of interior fit and finish and high-tech amenities.

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray & Audi R8. Click images to enlarge

2014 Audi R8

Audi’s R8 supercar receives a subtle facelift and returns in March as a 2014 model, sporting modest styling and powertrain changes. But hey, this car is gorgeous in a Tron meets Minority Report sort of way, so we had to include at least one picture of this knockout. The signature R8 is the V10 Plus model sporting 550 hp and Audi’s signature AWD. In our experience, the R8 is one of the easiest cars to drive fast, in any weather, and look fabulous doing it!

2013 SRT Viper. Click image to enlarge

2013 SRT Viper

Viper. It may have a new brand behind the name, but it’s still the same deadly combination of raw power and excessive styling. Returning in 2013 and launching Chrysler’s independent SRT brand, under the guiding hand of Canadian designer, racer, and now executive Ralph Gilles no less, the Viper packs a monstrous 8.4L V10 making 640 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque. This time around, though, Chrysler is upping their game, with finely crafted interior, new technologies, and ergonomic improvements, without diluting its legacy of outright performance.

Decadence redefined

BMW M6 Gran Coupé & 2014 Audi RS 7. Click image to enlarge

BMW M6 Gran Coupé

BMW is showcasing the M6 Gran Coupé, a sleek fastback sedan with the monster twin-turbo V8 making 560 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. If you like the sound of launching to 100 km/h in less time than it takes for your jaw to drop at the gorgeous lines of this wannabe ‘coupé’, take a seat and start saving up for this pricey and prestigious luxury four-seater. With a space-age seven-speed M-Double-Clutch Transmission and the innovative Active M Differential, BMW claims that the “M6 Gran Coupé is equipped with one of the most advanced drivetrains BMW has ever developed.” Also look for a couple of interesting concepts at the BMW booth.

2014 Audi RS 7

Another German super-sedan making an appearance at CIAS 2013 is the sultry 2014 Audi RS 7. It will arrive packing the same 560-hp, 516 lb-ft twin-turbo V8 in the RS6 Avant available in Europe. Like the RS 5, the RS 7 will feature Audi’s trick Quattro all-wheel drive, tuned for racier models with an active sport differential that will vary torque side to side in addition to the front/rear split. And while performance will be stratospheric, the ride and comfort will be typical Audi thanks to adaptive suspension and adding touches like quilted leather and a profusion of carbon fibre trim to the A7’s already class-leading interior.

2014 Jaguar XFR-S

While some might find this dropped and boosted Jaguar garish in its French Racing Blue and boy-racer carbon-fibre spoiler, we think the XFR-S is obscenely hot. Jaguar’s XF is a pretty exclusive vehicle (it is practically royalty, after all) to begin with, and the R-S treatment pumps power up to 550 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque by dialing the Roots twin-vortex supercharger boost up to 11 (figuratively, not 11 psi), and rocking suspension, aerodynamic modifications to help it creep up to a 300 km/h top speed after breaking 96 km/h (60 mph) in 4.4 seconds. However, 2013 CIAS is one of the few places you will get a chance to see this rare beast—only 100 are destined for North America.

2014 Jaguar XFR-S & Jaguar F-Type. Click image to enlarge

Jaguar F-Type


The new F-Type marks a return to one branch of Jaguar’s legacy: a two-seat, convertible sports car focused on performance, agility and driver involvement. As per Jaguar: “The F- Type is a continuation of a sporting bloodline that stretches back more than 75 years and encompasses some of the most beautiful, thrilling and desirable sports cars ever built.” Check, check, and oh yeah. As a modern-day reinterpretation of the famed XK-E it incorporates lightweight aluminum architecture and rear-wheel drive, powered by the new supercharged 3.0L V6 engine in 340-hp and 380-hp outputs plus a big-cat 495-hp 5.0L supercharged V8.

Green Choices

2013 Volkswagen Jetta Turbocharged Hybrid

While not exactly a Canadian debut at CIAS, Volkswagen is launching its Jetta Turbocharged Hybrid this winter to further bolster their extensive Jetta lineup. Combining a 1.4L turbocharged, direct-injection engine with a powerful and lightweight electric motor and seven-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission results in outstanding performance and amazing fuel efficiency.

2014 Mazda6 SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel. Click image to enlarge

2014 Mazda6 SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel

The 2014 Mazda6 was already a winning combination with its good looks, sporty dynamics and roomy interior, but add its acclaimed an all-new SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine and it will have efficiency to match many hybrids without sacrificing anything. It will also represent the first Japanese modern clean-diesel engine on sale in Canada in a non-commercial vehicle. Available with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, the high-output turbodiesel will provide powerful and responsive acceleration, incredible fuel economy, and meet all North American emissions standards without the need of expensive exhaust treatments.

Pint-sized performance

MINI JCW GP

MINI JCW GP & Ford Fiesta ST. Click image to enlarge

At the very opposite end of the performance spectrum from the M6 Gran Coupé, MINI is introducing the John Cooper Works GP, a tiny hatchback taken to Italian Job levels of go-fast and maneuverability, banking on Mini’s extensive racing heritage. This is one exclusive little hatch, only 50 examples earmarked for Canada, so competition will be fierce just to get a test drive in one. The GP is the fastest production Mini ever built, powered by a twin-scroll turbocharged engine with an output of 211 horsepower and 192 ft-lb of torque, held in check by Brembo brakes, adjustable suspension, 17-inch performance tires, Recaro Sport Seats, and special aerodynamic bodywork with rear diffuser cloaked in a striking Thunder Grey paint finish. One of the hottest subcompacts you’ll ever see.

Ford Fiesta ST

But wait, did someone mention hottest subcompacts? Well look who’s crashing the pint-sized performance category in a big way—Ford. After launching the compact Focus ST this past year to much acclaim (AJAC Performance Car under $50K award, anyone?), Ford is following it with the Fiesta ST, this one powered by a 1.6L EcoBoost, magically squeezing almost 200 horses under that diminutive hood. Along with the requisite sporting upgrades to the chassis and suspension (and some aggressive racing-style seats), the Fiesta ST is kitted out with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, unique ST high-mounted rear spoiler, interior trim accents, and leather shift knob.

Affordable luxury

Hyundai HCD-14 Genesis Concept, 2014 Infiniti Q50, Lexus LF-CC Concept. Click image to enlarge

Hyundai HCD-14 Genesis Concept

Hyundai will be displaying the wild HCD-14 that hints at a possible direction for the Genesis luxury sedan. Hyundai told its designers to ignore the typical rules and constraints of vehicle manufacturing in order to explore what a luxury sedan from Hyundai could look like, and it results in a wild, futuristic package.

2014 Infiniti Q50

Infiniti is revealing an all-new version of its compact luxury sports sedan with a new name to prepare it for launch in new global markets. This is one of the most competitive segments in the world, and the Q50 (replacing the G37) will renew Infiniti’s challenge of the BMW 3 Series as well as facing new competition from the likes of the Cadillac ATS, so advanced engine technology, sporting dynamics, and high-tech and luxurious interiors are the minimum to stay competitive. Infiniti will use the same 3.7L V6 powertrain as the G37, but will add a hybrid option to the lineup.

Lexus LF-CC

Lexus has redesigned its IS compact luxury sedan with sharper looks, more interior space, and improved driving dynamics in mind. Powertrains are the familiar 204-hp 2.5L V6 in the IS 250 and 306-hp 3.5L V6 in the IS 350, and the interior takes it cue from the bigger and more luxurious ES and GS. However, CIAS showgoers can see the LF-CC concept that inspired its styling – anyone else see this as the perfect recipe for an IS Coupe? There is also the fabulous LF-LC concept that is meant to spark the imagination about a replacement for the LFA supercar, but this concept sports an advanced hybrid powertrain.

Small and Smart

Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe

This sexy little concept previewed the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class revealed in this year’s Super Bowl ads. The CLA will serve as Mercedes’ small sedan, but its coupe-like styling should appeal to those wanting something more stylish than the B-Class hatchback, also, with AMG already working on an engine for European A-Class vehicles, it can’t be far behind for our market.

Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe & 2014 Nissan Versa Note. Click image to enlarge

2014 Nissan Versa Note

There’s nothing complicated or sensational about this Canadian debut, but it is very significant. Few things sell in Canada better than snow shovels, Tim Horton’s coffee and cheap, efficient hatchbacks, so this is an important vehicle for Nissan in this market. The 2014 Versa Note features the Versa sedan’s 1.6L four-cylinder, which makes 109 hp and is good for 6.7 L/100 km in city driving and 5.2 on the highway. Expect the Note hatchback to match the sedan generous-for-a-compact passenger space but top the sedan’s cargo space by a healthy volume.

Small and Smart, continued

Honda Urban SUV Concept. Click image to enlarge

Honda Urban SUV Concept Vehicle

Honda will be showing the compact Urban SUV Concept that just made its world debut at the 2013 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The Urban SUV Concept, of which only sketches were available at the time of publication, is a global concept model combining a sporty and dynamic SUV profile with a spacious, functional interior. The concept previews an expected crossover spinoff of the popular Fit subcompact.

Crossover Mania

Nissan Resonance Concept
This is a striking piece of kit. Another concept, it’s likely the next Murano, or something like it. Remember how radical the original Murano looked? The Resonance makes a similar impression. It’s a hybrid with 22-inch wheels, all angles and sculpted surfaces. It has a so-called “floating” glass roof and won a Best Concept Vehicle award at the Detroit show, where it first debuted. (by Paul Williams)

Volkswagen Cross Coupé Concept & Nissan Resonance Concept. Click image to enlarge

Volkswagen Cross Coupé Concept
Since we’re talking baby crossovers, we had to show you this funky concept from VW. Based on Volkswagen’s new Modular Transverse Matrix (no this is not another sequel to the Matrix trilogy), the Cross Coupé showcases styling elements that will make their way onto new Volkswagen crossovers (think Tiguan). Powered by a combination of TDI Clean Diesel technology and twin electric motors, the Cross Coupé delivers 306 hp at a fuel consumption rate of just 1.8L/100 km.

2014 Mitsubishi Outlander
Although it is only a small player on the North American scene, Mitsubishi is still coming to market with some fresh products for our market. After announcing a city car that will arrive in Canada in the near future, they are launching an all-new 2014 Outlander that could do much to buoy their North American operation in much the same way the Lancer has been carrying the weight for the past few years.

2013 Toyota RAV4 & 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander. Click image to enlarge

2013 Toyota RAV4
The RAV4 is hitting the market any day now, and it is one of the most popular models for Toyota and overall in Canada – doesn’t hurt that it’s built just down the road in Woodstock, Ontario. The new RAV4 goes back to exclusively four-cylinder power and five-seat configuration, but that’s the one most people want anyway. The new styling, however, might earn some second looks, or turn away customers looking for a more traditional SUV.

Serious Business

Ford Transit and Transit Connect

Ford Transit & Transit Connect. Click image to enlarge

Ford is bringing a pair of practical transports to CIAS 2013, one for commercial consumption and the other as an odd duck in the mover category. First, the all-new 2014 Ford Transit will be shipped over from Europe, joining Ford’s lineup of commercial vehicles (replacing the E-Series vans), promising customers unmatched fuel economy and the segment’s lowest cost of ownership. Transit van provides professional tradesmen and commercial fleet customers leading versatility, innovative new configurations and a unique engine lineup, including a standard 3.7L V6, 3.5L EcoBoost, and an all-new 3.2L Power Stroke Diesel option. While the Ford Transit Connect Wagon has been sprouting like weeds in Toronto’s commercial fleets, Ford is launching an all-new 2014 model that will also offer a new category of seven-passenger hauler that is, according to Ford, fun-to-drive and fuel efficient. While not the most graceful or eye-catching vehicle you will see at the show, the 2014 Transit Connect Wagon is spacious and affordable while accommodating multiple combinations of people and packages, with the versatility of a utility and the payload capability of a full-size pickup.