Author Topic: Ramblings from the Montreal Auto Show (Read 15741 times)

Flinter · « **on:** January 31, 2012, 03:39:15 pm »

A couple of weekends ago I drove the old Corolla beater out to Montreal for my annual trip to the auto show. I've been meaning to share some pics and thoughts while things are still fresh in my mind so here it is!!

Subaru BRZ
I was happy to see that Subaru had the new BRZ on display. Unfortunately it was up on a pedestal so I wasn't able to get inside.

It definitely a small car which IMHO is a very good thing. I suspect that the rear seats will not be suitable for adults.

From my viewpoint, it appears that Subaru/Toyota just took the mainstream materials/processes used in high volume lower costs vehicles and applied them to a chassis designed only to be a RWD sports car without other compromises. As you can see in the photos below, the tires, wheels , brakes, control arms which were visible, are all very typical of higher volume cars. One exception that comes to mind is the engine. The FA flat-four with it's higher red line and Toyota's dual port/direct fuel injection is certainly not mainstream at this time.

I suspect that the modest tires, wheels , brakes etc. on the show model are probably hints that we will eventually see a Turbo model with the associated upgrades.

Here are a few pics:

Various Exterior Pics

Interior Pics

Engine Pics

Rear Undercarriage

Front/Rear Brakes and Wheels

The Exotics
One thing I always enjoy about the Autoshows is being able to look at some exotic cars that one would rairly see if
ever. I was surprised to see just how large the Aventador and Veryon are in the flesh. The LFA was tiny in comparison.

Lamborghini Aventador

Lexus LFA

Bugatti Veyron

While other were going ga ga over hyper exotic cars like the Veyron, Aventador and LFA, I have to admit that they were a little too extreme for my taste. Here are some of the cars that caught my eye.

Aston Martin Vantage

Maserati GranTurismo

Audi R8

Jaguar XKR-S

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2012, 05:04:32 pm »

Great photos!

I really REALLY want to see a Bugatti Veyron in person but have yet to thus far.

mrthompson · « **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2012, 08:59:10 pm »

Mmmm...Maserati.

Flinter · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2012, 09:05:23 pm »

Quote from: mrthompson on January 31, 2012, 08:59:10 pm

Mmmm...Maserati.

And it sounds just as yummy.

http://youtu.be/dNAKgbvJMts

normancw · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2012, 09:23:28 pm »

Great pictures - thanks!

jamie1 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 31, 2012, 09:33:33 pm »

Where's the pictures of the models?

Flinter · « **Reply #6 on:** January 31, 2012, 10:42:12 pm »

Quote from: jamie1 on January 31, 2012, 09:33:33 pm

Where's the pictures of the models?

I have failed.

Grabbed my little point and shoot for the show and forgot to charge the battery. It was dead dead before I got to the main part of the show. The Horror!!

I do remember the Fiat display was a nice place to hang out.

5 Wheel Drive · « **Reply #7 on:** February 01, 2012, 10:12:46 am »

I meant to do the same thing after I got home. My pictures are still on my camera.

We have the same pictures of a lot of those cars! When I was there the Subaru BRZ was closed. I couldn't see the interior or the engine.

I was also pretty surprised to see a Veyron there. I almost skipped that whole section because it looked like it was all souped up Civic's. I took my time drooling over the other exotics. I was also surprised to see a Ferrari FF. I don't mind it so much no that I've seen it in person. The Astons were, as usual, beautiful. The new 911 was pretty drool-worthy as well. I'm kicking myself for skipping Lexus now, I didn't realize there was an LF-A back there. D'OH!!!

I'll try and get off my a$$ and add a few of my pictures here.

Flinter · « **Reply #8 on:** February 01, 2012, 11:55:55 am »

Quote from: 5 Wheel Drive on February 01, 2012, 10:12:46 am

I meant to do the same thing after I got home. My pictures are still on my camera.

We have the same pictures of a lot of those cars! When I was there the Subaru BRZ was closed. I couldn't see the interior or the engine.

I was also pretty surprised to see a Veyron there. I almost skipped that whole section because it looked like it was all souped up Civic's. I took my time drooling over the other exotics. I was also surprised to see a Ferrari FF. I don't mind it so much no that I've seen it in person. The Astons were, as usual, beautiful. The new 911 was pretty drool-worthy as well. I'm kicking myself for skipping Lexus now, I didn't realize there was an LF-A back there. D'OH!!!

I'll try and get off my a$$ and add a few of my pictures here.

Feel free to dump some more pics here on this thread.

While I was staring at the BRZ (with a slight trickle of drool coming from the corner of my mouth), one of the Subie reps must have sensed my adoration, came over and opened up the car for me. It was nice to get a look at the interior. It's quite simple, but I like it.

I also had a look at the Ferrari FF. While I'm sure it is a great car to drive, the styling left me scratching my head. To my eye, the proportions seem a bit messed up. It's almost like someone took a compact hatchback and attached the front clip from a large GT car.

Agreed on the new 911. Very drool-worthy indeed.

mrthompson · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2012, 12:14:45 pm »

It looks like a shoe.

Will the sport version be named the FFS?

Weels · « **Reply #10 on:** February 01, 2012, 12:20:21 pm »

Quote from: mrthompson on February 01, 2012, 12:14:45 pm

It looks like a shoe.

Will the sport version be named the FFS?

Flinter · « **Reply #11 on:** February 01, 2012, 12:24:48 pm »

Quote from: mrthompson on February 01, 2012, 12:14:45 pm

It looks like a shoe.

Will the sport version be named the FFS?

It reminds me of the old BMW M Coupe.

mrthompson · « **Reply #12 on:** February 01, 2012, 12:29:53 pm »

The old M couple looks like an athletic shoe. The FF looks like a dress shoe.

safristi · « **Reply #13 on:** February 01, 2012, 12:52:43 pm »

If the SHOEI fits U must aquit............ hell walk this way......

Gamefreak · « **Reply #14 on:** February 01, 2012, 09:38:34 pm »

Quote from: mrthompson on February 01, 2012, 12:14:45 pm

It looks like a shoe.

A 'shoeting' brake, if you will?

mrthompson · « **Reply #15 on:** February 02, 2012, 09:13:07 am »

^Good one.

5 Wheel Drive · « **Reply #16 on:** February 02, 2012, 09:53:46 am »

Well, the little dude went to bed earlier last night so I actually had some time to get my pictures off the camera...

5 Wheel Drive · « **Reply #17 on:** February 02, 2012, 09:55:40 am »

Hit my limit of 10, here's a few more....

CanuckS2K · « **Reply #18 on:** February 02, 2012, 10:06:55 am »

Great pictures gents, thanks for sharing. I can't say that I've ever been to an auto show like that. One of the drawbacks of living in the Maritimes I guess.

Flinter · « **Reply #19 on:** February 02, 2012, 12:15:39 pm »

Quote from: CanuckG35 on February 02, 2012, 10:06:55 am

Great pictures gents, thanks for sharing. I can't say that I've ever been to an auto show like that. One of the drawbacks of living in the Maritimes I guess.

I hear ya. I'm originally from NL and always envied those who lived close by a major Auto show.

For enthusiasts living in the Maritimes, I highly reccommend a little winter get away to Montreal to check it out sometime. It would be a load of fun to get a bunch of car loving buddies to make a weekend out of it. My advice would be to split things up.. spend a 2-3 hours each day at the show and then go out and enjoy the restaurants and pubs in downtown Montreal for the rest of the day.

If/when I move back to Atlantic Canada, I think I'll still try and attend once every few years.