Toronto AutoShow Sneak Peek: Five Things Not to Miss

The Canadian International AutoShow—which opens to the public for 10 days in Toronto on Friday, February 17, 2017—is one of the largest of its kind in North America. There are more than 1,000 vehicles to see, some of them displayed for the first time in Canada, spread between two giant halls in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Here are the five things you should definitely check out.

The Concept Cars

Built to fuel the imagination, there will be more than a dozen concept cars on display from major manufacturers around the world. Some, such as the Nissan Vmotion 2.0, give an idea of future design direction, while others—the Toyota FCV (fuel cell vehicle), for example—show a whole new way of thinking. Perhaps the most exotic of them is the Aston Martin AM-RB 001, built in partnership with Red Bull. It’s never been seen in North America—or at any auto show for that matter. It’s a hypercar that can create an astonishing one horsepower for every kilogram of its weight.

Electric Avenue and Plug’n Drive

Have you ever driven an electric car? If not, this is your chance. There’s a variety on display at Electric Avenue in the South Building, as well as knowledgeable representatives to explain them. But if you have a valid permanent driver’s licence and a ticket to the AutoShow, there are electric vehicles you can test drive on roads around the convention centre. Sign up in the north lobby to drive a BMW i3, Chevrolet Volt or Bolt, Nissan Leaf or Mitsubishi i-MiEV.

50 Years of the Grand Prix

If you’re a motorsports fan, you’ll want to see the cars that celebrate 50 years of Formula 1 in Canada, including the 1978 Ferrari driven by Canadian legend Gilles Villeneuve and the 1997 Williams driven by his son, Jacques. The Williams is the actual car that won the Spanish Grand Prix and the world championship, and you can still see the tire mark on the side where Michael Schumacher tried to nudge it off the track.

The Canadian Story Exhibition

In celebration of the country’s 150th, the AutoShow will be rolling out some pretty special Canadian-made wheels dating back to 1867, plus renowned models owned by Canadian collectors (including a 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Superleggera—think James Bond). The vehicles in the exhibit have all been curated by Rob McCleese, CEO of the annual Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Set your eyes on the historic 1867 Seth Taylor Steam Buggy built by a Quebecois jeweler, a Nova Scotia–built 1910 McKay luxury touring car and a custom-made convertible 1927 McLaughlin-Buick. 

The Contests

There’s always something to win at the AutoShow. There’s $50,000 toward the cost of a new car at the TADA booth. And you could win free gas for a year at the CAA booth, located on Level 800 of the South Building. Stop by for details and to enter.

Before you go, read up on our expert tips to get the most out of any auto show.