Volvo XC40.
Venetian and Nappa leather. Alcantara fabric. Rich woods. Aluminized fibreglass silver mesh. Power thigh adjusters. Massaging, heated and ventilated seats. Ambient air packages with a variety of fragrances. Voice control. Motion control. High-definition colour monitors. Sunroofs open to the back seat. Customized Harman Kardon optimum sound systems. Night vision with pedestrian detection. Active blind-spot detection. Automatic braking. Adaptive cruise control. Electronic stability control. Lane-departure warning.
If this reads like a spec sheet exclusive to a Rolls-Royce Phantom, you'd be right. And wrong.
Insiders say the auto industry is in the midst of unprecedented transition. After years of burbling stock markets and rising real estate prices, consumers have the financial clout to seek and receive German-style luxury and technology in their new vehicles, whether in their hatchbacks, sedans, pickup trucks or SUVs.
The luxury category represented a stunning 12 per cent of all new vehicles sold in Canada in 2017, according to Globe Drive contributor Andrew Tai, president of Unhaggle.com.
Segment-by-segment snapshots of the automobiles to be seen at the Canadian International AutoShow, being held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from Feb. 16 to 25, are housed on globedrive.com.
Check out the burgeoning competition in each category. By way of example, recently joining the stalwart BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4 in the compact sports-sedan category are the Alfa Romeo Giulia, named 2018 Motor Trend Car of the Year, the Genesis G70 compact sports sedan, and the Jaguar XE, introduced last year. You'll see the segment stretched, such as with the Audi "Sportback" versions of the 5 and 7, providing hatchback sensibility in a sporty car.
There's a huge range of choice these days. Some pickup trucks have broached the $100,000 mark. So, lots to gawk at inside the Convention Centre through to next weekend.
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If you go
Location
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 222 Bremner Blvd, Toronto.
Hours
Feb. 16: Noon-10 p.m.
Feb. 17-24: 10:30-10 p.m.
Feb. 25: 10:30-6 p.m.
Admission
Adults: $24
Youth (13-17): $16
Kids (7-12): $7
Family (2+2): $47
Seniors (60+): $15, weeekdays, excl. Family Day Online: 10 per cent discount (autoshow.ca/tickets)
GO+Show: $33 adult/$76 family
Daycare
VW PlayCare Centre, South Bldg.: Free
Coat check
203D, North Bldg.; near VW Centre, South Bldg: $3
With the unveiling of the Bullitt Mustang, the range of raucous V8-powered beasts on the market are extensive. The Detroit motor show collects some of the most powerful American V8 iron in one place.