Event Coverage: The 2013 Canadian International Autoshow: Pt. 2

Feb 24, 2013

Back with the second (and final) batch of photos from the 2013 Canadian International Autoshow media day. In my two years of experience attending the show for media day I have found striking an even balance between getting uncluttered photos and attending big reveals a little difficult.

Last year I missed pretty well everything but this year I fared a bit better managing to catch three or four. Sadly I was distracted during Chevrolet’s uncloaking of the Sting Ray which I’m still kicking myself over.

That misstep aside I am still pretty happy with the photos I was able to get from the shows 40th anniversary shindig and hopefully you all enjoy them as well.

redbull_infiniti — The Rebull sponsored Infiniti F-1 car was the only Infiniti photo I took

honda_indy — Honda Izod Indycar series car

scion_pat — My first encounter with Pat Cyr’s featured FR-S equipped with all it’s sponsor stickers. There is a lot of buzz around this car and personally I can’t wait to see it on the track.

subaru_brz — I’m so used to the FR-S front end that the BRZ almost seems foreign now

hyundai_1 — Hyundai HCD-14 Concept, Hyundai is really out to prove something in recent years

hyundai_2 — I could see some VIP styled builds being done with this platform. even though it would not be an “accepted” base

toyota_fun_vii — The Tron looking Toyota Fun-Vii, the side of this car is essentially a giant TV screen

caddy_555hp — The CTS V proudly boasting it’s HP numbers

honda_nsx_cover — I meant to get a photo like this with the cover off and somehow didn’t…

honda_nsx_interior — Shortly after I took this shot another media photographer slammed the door (which loudly rejected the notion and popped back open) and things got really awkward/funny after that as he tried to slink away

Lexus

Lexus brought out quite a few concepts this year in addition to their new model year offerings.

lexus_2 — The Lexus Future Coupe Concept

lexus_3 — The debut of the hybrid LF-LC concept , a hybrid 2+2 sports car

Landrover/Jag

Outside of the autoshow I kind of completely forget about anything Jaguar is doing. I just don’t really see any new ones on the street and the older ones I do see are so beat up I try not to give them much attention.

Last year I was really impressed with the CX-16 and this year I was equally impressed by what they brought out.

jag_2 — The new F-type, Jaguar’s first 2 seater since the E-type and 50 years in the making

Audi

Audi always has some of the better media presentations (and press kits) at the Canadian International Autoshow and this year one of their highlighted debuts was the brand new R-8.

audi_r8_2 — A lot of people are going to be seeing this tail lights no doubt

audi_s7_1 — The twin turbo V8 4.0l powered RS-7. If I ever need a grown man sedan…

BMW

I didn’t spend a whole lot of time hanging around the BMW area as I am more of a vintage BMW guy but their I-8 concept was too intriguing not to check out.

bmw_i8_covered — I liked how they had the car sitting under this semi transparent cover, made for a cool effect showing off their latest LED headlight trim

bmw_i8_front — Shortly after the photo above the i8 was revealed in all it’s glory. It’s hybrid powered and 0-100km/h in under 5 seconds.

bmw_i8 — Safe to assume the production models won’t look quite so crazy

Mercedes Benz

Much like BMW I didn’t spend a heck of a lot of time in the Mercedes Benz area but I did mange to snap off a few shots the brief time I was there.

mb_1 — One of two 1:1 MB photos I took and liked

mb_5_smart — Very peculiar looking Smart Forstars concept that has a projector in the front grill in case you wanted to recreate the drive in atmosphere in the comfort of your own driveway

mb_2 — These models ended up stealing my attention in the Benz area

mb_3 — I’d love to have a die-cast collection one day but these things are so detailed and so expensive

mb_4 — The legendary 300SL gullwing in small scale form

Mazda

As far as I know Mazda didn’t have anything too crazy debuting at this years show but currently being a Mazda owner I decided to look at the current generation Mazda 3s.

mazda_mx5_1 — The new MX-5. I’m not sure if people will flock to these in the future like the NA and lesser extent NB

mazda_speed3 — The speed3 front end has grown on me since the 2010 release and as awhole this car isn’t bad but not sure if I trust Mazda to be rid of their rust issues

Ford

The media lunch was served in the Ford exhibit so once I finished eating I took a detailed look at the new Ford Focus ST which is designed to compete directly with the Mazda Speed3. To be honest it’s not a bad car at all options and power wise. Is it worth the 30 thousand or so sticker? Not sure. But a welcome addition to the segment none the less.

It’s kind of a shame that neither Mazda or Ford offer these cars with an all wheel drive option but one can only assume that was done to keep costs down.