CANADIAN VEHICLES PREMIERES – ACURA

Acura ILX

The Acura ILX Concept is a styling study of an all-new premium luxury compact sedan scheduled for launch in Canada in spring 2012. Positioned as the gateway to the Acura lineup, the ILX will feature three separate powertrains that include Acura’s first-ever gasoline-electric hybrid.

Acura NSX Concept

Representing the styling direction for the next generation of Acura’s super sports car, the Acura NSX concept makes its Canadian debut at this year’s Canadian International Auto Show.  The long-awaited NSX Concept is a mid-engine sports car and features Acura’s all-new, electronic “Sport Hybrid” Super Handling all-wheel-drive system.

CANADIAN VEHICLES PREMIERES – FORD

Fiesta ST concept

The bold new Fiesta ST combines eye-catching, muscular and sporty styling with a dynamic sports chassis and a high- performance Powertrain.  It is equipped with a specially tuned 180-horsepower, 1.6 litre EcoBoost engine capable of delivering spirited performance combined with impressive fuel-economy. The five-door Fiesta ST ensures competent handling and delivers uncompromised sports performance.

CANADIAN VEHICLES PREMIERES – FORD

2013 Ford Flex

The new Flex brings more technology, better fuel economy and a new design to the seven- passenger crossover. Flex can be equipped with a standard 3.5 litre Ti-VCT V6 engine or a 3.5 litre EcoBoost engine. Flex features even more advanced technologies, including Active Park Assist and breakthrough features like Inflatable Rear Safety Belts. With a new front end, a standard dual exhaust rear appliqué and nine exterior colours to choose from, Flex customers will find the vehicle modern and sophisticated.

CANADIAN VEHICLES PREMIERES – FORD

2013 C-MAX Energi PHEV

The C-MAX Energi PHEV is designed to meet the needs of customers looking to optimize their hybrid car experience, as it combines style, fuel efficiency and performance, through the combination of a gasoline engine and a battery- driven electric motor.  When powered by gasoline C-MAX uses the new 2.0 litre Atkinson- cycle four cylinder engine.  Equipped with innovative technologies like hands–free liftgate, and next generation of SmartGauge with EcoGuide, drivers get the most from C-MAX

CANADIAN VEHICLES PREMIERES – FORD

2013 Ford Fusion

The all-new Fusion delivers the best fuel economy, technology and design, transforming the midsize sedan segment. Fusion is also the first sedan with gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains available – offering consumers the Power of Choice.  Fusion Energi will also be the sixth electrified vehicle added to the Ford line up.  Fusion can be equipped with Active Park Assist, Lane Keeping Aid, and Adaptive Cruise Control, to name a few. With expected fuel economy leadership, new design language and the most advanced safety technologies, the all-new Fusion represents Ford at its best.

CANADIAN VEHICLES PREMIERES – CHRYSLER

2013 Dodge Dart

The 2013 Dodge Dart redefines performance with Alfa Romeo DNA, fuel-efficient powertrains and Dodge’s passion for performance. Loaded with innovative technology, class-leading safety features and clever functionality, the 2013 Dodge Dart sets a new standard in the compact car segment by offering unmatched personalization, roominess, style, functionality and fun-to-drive dynamics.

CANADIAN VEHICLES PREMIERES – BMW

The All-New 2012 BMW M5 Sedan.

The all-new 5th generation ultra-performance BMW M5 introduces the most powerful engine ever fitted to a series-produced BMW M. Mated to a 7-speed M-Double Clutch transmission, the new 4.4-litre V8 M5 produces 560 hp and 500lb-ft of torque, accelerating from 0-100km/hr in 4.4 seconds and to 200km/hr in 13.0 seconds. The M5 achieves this while consuming 30% less fuel and providing 50% more range than its predecessor.

Iain Shankland - Road Test  Editor, Flagworld.com

It’s that time of year again… time for the Canadian International Auto Show [CIAS]. Whenever it arrives we know it’s only a matter of time before winter ends and spring begins!

This years’ 10-day event takes place from February 17th to the 26th, 2012.  As usual there are a number of concept vehicles, as well as North American and Canadian Premieres to entice everyone to drool alongside other gear-heads. We’ll be there for the media day on the 16th, so stay tuned for pictures (we might even take some video this year) of the launch events.

Every day for the next 19 days I’ll post some pictures of some of the new vehicles you can expect to see at the show. I hope you’ll enjoy them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here’s some information about the CIAS you may be interested in……

The 2012 Canadian International Auto Show marks its 39th edition.

Since 1974, the Canadian International AutoShow (CIAS) has been striving to redefine the typical automotive show.  Each year, the Show’s content has expanded and improved, with prize packages and promotions continuing to raise the level of excitement.

In its opening year, the show was held at the International Centre and attendance was 85,000.  This year we are expecting a crowd of more than 300,000.  Every year, the show brings exclusive premieres, celebrities, and designers to the City of Toronto.

Continue reading »

Text: Iain Shankland / Images: Iain Shankland/ Hyundai

I’ve never been a fan of budget-priced cars and have always done my best to stay away from them if I could afford a better one — even if it cost more money. That changed when I set my eyes on the all-new 2011 Hyundai Elantra. Even the ugliest of chicks will have construction workers doing a double-take, and whistling at her (car) when she drives by.

This is a looker from every angle. I have two questions:1) Why did it take so long for a budget-conscious vehicle to look this good, and 2) Until now, why have cheap/reasonably-priced cars been so ugly?

It doesn’t cost more money to design a good-looking car, so why are the Nissan Versa/Juke/Leaf so ugly that they give Stevie Wonder the shivers? How many people have become violently ill when a Citroen drives past? Don’t tell me it’s all about cost, because the smaller and cheaper all-new 2012 Hyundai Accent (coming soon) looks just as good as the Elantra!

Continue reading »

By Iain Shankland

To many, the first snowfall of the season brings panic and fear.

Every year the exact same thing happens – winter arrives and with it snow.
Along with the snow and ice, emerge the world’s worst drivers.

I’m sure you probably have your own stories about driving at the beginning or winter, and you probably think the drivers in your neighbourhood are the worst. I however, think that my neighbourhood takes the prize for this … One snowy day a couple of years ago, the first snow came and people lost their minds like they usually do. The streets of Toronto turned into a living nightmare with reports of more than 400 accidents in just ONE DAY! Not only is this a staggering thought, it’s downright scary!

Like a newborn deer on wobbly legs, drivers encountering the first annual snowfall slip and slide into ditches and each other, filling the streets with terror. Even those that live in the Snow Belt drive like they’ve never before experienced this slippery white phenomenon. To observe, you’d think they’d spent their lives in Hawaii! It never ceases to amaze me how each year the same thing happens – November/December comes, precipitation changes from rain to snow, and people seem surprised by the “freak” snow storms! It’s not like it’s without warning – the cold weather comes, and you just know that snow isn’t far behind. Unfortunately though, everyone seems to be caught off-guard year after year.

Continue reading »