2016 Canadian International Auto Show – February 12-21, 2016

The 2016 Canadian International Auto Show has a lot to offer and does not disappoint!

First, let’s start with the winner of AJAC (Automobile Journalists Association of Canada)’s Car of the Year Award-The 2016 Honda Civic. I am impressed to see how far the Civic has come.

At first glance, it’s total new design is slick and easy on the eyes. Secondly, it comes with a stick shift option. Yes, I said stick shift, not finger flickers! Indeed a throwback to the old days! Standard is what makes this car so much fun to drive in! It also comes in a 1.5-litre turbocharged 4 or 2-litre engine maxing out at a 174 horsepower. The car seems a lot bigger than it looks, especially when sitting in the back seat as a passenger. The interior dash has also come a long way. With a total redesign, it is no surprise how the 2016 Honda Civic was crowned the Car of the Year.

2016 Mazda CX 3

2016 Honda Civic

Taking this year’s Utility Vehicle of the Year Award is the 2016 Mazda CX-3. For a smaller SUV, this thing sure has a lot of room! It has nice aesthetics and comes with a 2 litre 146 horsepower four cylinder engine with an optional all-wheel drive.

Make sure you check out these two beauties if you are in the market for a fun, small and affordable car.

I also really enjoyed checking out the new concept cars, especially the Volkswagen GTI Roadster Concept (if this thing was black, it would have been the new Batmobile) and the new Audi RS 7 with “Piloted Driving,” which would have been a fun car to “test drive”.

Volkswagen GTI Concept

Volkswagen GTI Concept

Volkswagen GTI Concept

Audi RS7

My favorite exhibit had to be the Hot Rods & Choppers Featuring Kreater. I’ve never heard of these guys before, but their bikes are part Mad Max and part leading edge, incredible stuff! Make sure you drop by and check them out. They are located on Level 700 of the South Building in the MTCC.

Kreater Death Trap 2014

Kreater 18 2013

Kreater Vitalogy

Kreater Lousifer 2013

Kreater S 1000 R

Other exhibits worth visiting include:

Auto Exotica – The World’s Finest

Want to see the latest in exotic brands like Ferrari, McLaren, Aston Martin, Lotus, Bentley and Maserati? Make sure you head to Level 100 in the North Building of the MTCC.

Maserati-Auto Exotica

Auto Exotica

Auto Exotica

Ferrari-Auto Exotica

Auto Exotica

Tesla-Auto Exotica

Art and the Automobile

Explore the works of art from the Golden Era, including iconic art automobiles, like the 1930 Dusenberg or 1931 Chrysler Imperial, all presented by the Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The Art and the Automobile exhibit is located on Level 700 in the South Building of the MTCC.

Art and the Automobile

Art and the Automobile

1931 Chrysler Imperial-Art and the Automobile

Art and the Automobile

Art and the Automobile

1930 Dusenberg-Art and the Automobile

Cars & Stars

Did you know Deadmau5 used to own a tricked-out Ferrari 458 Spider dubbed the “Purrari” and actually received a “stop and desist” order from Ferrari? He has replaced his car with a “Nyanborghini Purracan,” a new breed of Lamborghini that looks almost identical to the old “Purrari“. You have to see the actual thing to understand why Ferrari hated it so much (and why he loved and still loves it so much). The station also features complimentary coffee from celebrity chef Guy Fieri’s new single serving coffee line and showcases the new addition to his vintage collection, his yellow 1969 Chevrolet Corvette. Cars & Stars is located on Level 700 in the South Building of the MTCC.

Deadmau5′ “Nyanborghini Purracan”-Cars & Stars

Deadmau5′ “Nyanborghini Purracan”-Cars & Stars

Deadmau5′ McLaren P1- Cars & Stars

Cars & Stars

#Selfie Lamborghini-Cars & Stars

Guy Fieri’s yellow 1969 Chevrolet Corvette-Cars & Stars

Indy 500: The Greatest Spectacle in Racing

In celebration of the 100th running of the Indy 500 (established in 1911), this exhibit features the history and collections of some of the most iconic vehicles of the Indy 500, while highlighting the many Canadians who have participated in this prestigious event.

Indy 500

Indy 500

Indy 500

More from the Canadian International Auto Show 2016:

(photos by Phil)

The Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS) 2016 runs until February 21, 2016, at the MTCC (Metro Toronto Convention Centre).