In photos: New cars coming to Canadian showrooms
Here’s a selection of models making their debuts in Canadian showrooms this year, which were on display last week at the Canadian International Auto Show:
<b>2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia</b> Segment: Sport sedan Base price: $50,000 est. Available: Summer or fall You’ll like this car if … Italian sports car, manual transmission and sedan fit together seamlessly in your vocabulary. The first of eight new vehicles from Alfa Romeo including a SUV, production of FCA’s much-anticipated Guilia is to begin in mid-March and offered in two trim levels. The entry level offers 276 horsepower with 0-to-100 km/h acceleration in about five seconds. The Quadrifoglio Verde, equipped with a twin-turbo 2.9-litre V-6 generating 510 horsepower, is reported by AutoGuide to rip through Germany’s Nurbugring faster than a Lamborghini Murcielago. Likely be sold in Canada in the six-figure range, the RWD Quadrifoglio also includes a 14-speaker Harmon Kardon system, driver assistance package, carbon-ceramic brakes, racing seats and a carbon-fibre steering wheel.Tom Maloney/The Globe and Mail
<b>2016 Audi R8</b> Segment: Supercar Base price: $184,400 Available: End of March/early April You’ll like this car if … the feel of motorsports on the highway is irresistible. The R8 Coupe, being introduced to Canada this spring along with the RS7, is equipped with a 5-2-litre V-10 engine, generates 540 horsepower, tops out at 320 km/h, and sprints from 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds. A rear carbon-fibre spoiler creates downforce on the axle, a feature designed to enhance performance and the athletic stance. With the optional V-10 plus, horsepower is boosted to 610, with maximum speed of 330 km/h and 0-100 in 3.3 seconds.Tom Maloney/The Globe and Mail
<b>2016 Audi RS 7 Sportback</b>Segment: Sport sedan Base price: $118,300 Available: End of March/early April You’ll like this car if … You’re wanting close-to-R8 power with elegance, four doors and a hatch. The RS7 Sportback, characterized by a long hood, dramatically sloping rear and a wide honeycomb grille, generates 560 horsepower with a 4.0-litre V-8, and moves from 0-100 in 3.9 seconds. An eight-speed Tiptronic transmission that adapts to a driver’s style. Optional packages enable top speeds of 280 or 305 km/h.Tom Maloney/The Globe and Mail
<b>2017 Porsche 718 Boxster S</b> Segment: Crossover utility Base price: $78,000 Available: Third quarter, 2016 You’ll like this car if … freedom spells wind in your hair at 150 km/h The two-seat convertible gets power and torque boosts and improved fuel efficiency with new turbocharged, horizontally opposed engines. Transmission choice is manual or PDK. With the manual, 0-to-100 km/h acceleration is 4.6 seconds, and track speed reaches 285 km/h. Inside, reach between new steering wheel – derived from the 918 Spyder -- and gear selector is shortened. There’s an optional GT sport steering wheel. Porsche communication management includes a 7-inch touchscreen. Accent trim makes the exterior appear wider in the rear. A new exhaust system amplifies the vroom.
<b>2016 Buick Envision</b> Segment: Crossover SUV Base price: TBA Available: Summer 2016 You’ll like this car if … You’re a GM loyalist, wanting a fit between the Encore and Enclave. Another entry into the hottest segment in Canada, the CUV comes with a suite of connectivity and safety devices, a 2.0-litre turbo engine, and Buick’s first twin-clutch all-wheel drive. GM touts the vehicle as both luxurious and quiet, with a roomy wing-doored console and “more rear cargo space than the Acura RDX and the Lincoln MKC,” which gives you an idea of its targeted competitors.Tom Maloney/The Globe and Mail
<b>2017 Golf SportWagen Alltrack</b> Segment: Station wagon Base price: TBA Available: Summer You’ll like this car if … you’re looking for the convenience of a SUV, with a better driving experience. With a turbo-charged four-cylinder and 170 horsepower, VW is presenting this wagon as an alternative to the CUV, believing there’s a small but hungry group of buyers looking to be closer to the road while in the driver’s seat. It’s a peppier version of the Golf Sportwagon, with all-wheel drive. Globe Drive contributor Mark Hacking says it’s styled in a similar vein as the Audi A4 hatchback, with rugged body cladding and a raised suspension. The Subaru Outback is comparative.Tom Maloney/The Globe and Mail
<b>2016 Jaguar F-Pace</b> Segment: Crossover SUV Base price: $49,900 Available: Early April You’ll like this car if … There are many top-shelf SUVs in this price range but only one Jag, and the kids will enjoy a gentle rumble from the exhaust. The company’s initial entry into the SUV market is the “Jaguar you need,” designer Ian Callum says. A sleek exterior pulling design cues from the F-Type distinguishes the car from its boxier corporate cousins, the Range Rover and Land Rover. The interior is a clean, efficient space accented by a luxurious touch. The 20d ($49,900) comes with a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder, 180-horspower turbocharged diesel with top speed of 250 km/h, 0-100 km/h acceleration in 8.7 seconds. The all-wheel-drive 35t ($53,900) features a 3.0-litre 340-horsepower gasoline V-6, top speed of 250 km/h and 0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds. Both are available in premium, prestige and R-sport trims. The S AWD ($66,400) bumps the gas-powered V-6 to 380PS supercharged, with 0-to-100 in 5.5 seconds.Tom Maloney/The Globe and Mail
<b>2016 Jaguar XE</b> Segment: Sport sedan Base price: $45,000 Available: May You’ll like this car if … Sedans are meant to be fun. The compact XE joins the XF and XJ in the company’s sedan segment, and launches a new generation being built with lightweight aluminum architecture. The 20d all-wheel drive has a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder, diesel engine with 180 horsepower, top speed of 193 km/h, and 0-to-100 acceleration in 7.9 seconds. The 35t all-wheel drive has a 3.0 litre V-66 generating 340 horsepower and runs on gas. Top speed is 193 km/h, with 0-to-100 km/h acceleration in 5.4 seconds. Available in premium, prestige and R-sport trims.Tom Maloney/The Globe and Mail
<b>2017 Kia Niro</b> Segment: Hybrid CUV Base price: TBA Available: Aiming for first quarter, 2017 You’ll like this car if … an alternative to the Toyota Prius or Chevrolet Volt is the shopping goal. Kia’s first gasoline-electric hybrid maximizes cargo space by stowing batteries for the electric motor underneath the rear seat. That 32 kW motor on its own pushes the car to 112 km/h. The gas engine is a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, for combined 146-horsepower with a six-speed transmission. A so-called coasting guide advises the driver when to coast and brake in order to enhance efficiency.Tom Maloney/The Globe and Mail
<b>2016 Lexus RX 350</b> Segment: Crossover SUV Base price: $54,350 Available: Now You’ll like this car if … you’re looking for a safe, trustworthy, comfortable ride. Lexus’s best-seller undergoes a redesign for 2016, slightly risking the commitment of loyalists in favour of attracting new buyers to the brand. The styling, with sharp angles, a muscular grille and dramatic creases in the sheet metal, is meant to reflect a sportier, perhaps younger image. Length, height and width are all increased. It remains cozy inside, with new colour treatments and an optional 12-inch monitor on the dash (standard is eight-inch). A 3.5-liter V-6 generates 295 horsepower and gets an estimated 12.2 litres/100 km highway and 8.9 city.Tom Maloney/The Globe and Mail
<b>2016 Mini Cooper Clubman</b> Segment: Crossover utility Base price: $24,990 Available: Now You’ll like this car if … The commercial says, “This car doesn’t care what you call it.” It’s bigger than the prior version, seating five adults. A new twin-power turbo 3-cylinder engine on the Cooper. The Cooper S’s 4-cylinder, boosts horsepower to 189 and top speed to 228 km/h. Both are available in four-wheel drive. There are three driving modes and a coast feature to conserve fuel. The front fascia gets a new look. In the interior, buttons for media, telephone and navigation are encased on a circular device, leading to an 8.8-inch screen.Tom Maloney/The Globe and Mail
<b>2017 Lincoln Continental</b> Segment: Luxury sedan Base price: TBA Available: Late fall You’ll like this car if … “Quiet luxury” is the quest, and perhaps too a touch of Matthew McConaughey’s cool vibe. The 2017 Continental returns to Lincoln’s roster in the wake of a 15-year absence. Its redesign challenged the Lincoln team to capture an elegant heritage – the signature grille, big hood, long flowing lines, low rear end – while appealing to the modern consumer. In a highly competitive segment, think Lexus, Audi, BMW and Cadillac as chief targets. Contoured front-row seats have thigh support (for each leg), heat, cooling, massage and 30 electronically adjustable positions. Sound system is by Revel, Harman Kardon’s high-end line.Kevin Van Paassen/The Globe and Mail
<b>2017 Cadillac XT5</b> Segment: Crossover Base price: TBA Available: TBA You’ll like this car if … A luxurious American-built SUV is on your list, choosing between the Lincoln Continental. A new 3.6-litre V-6 pairs with eight-speed automatic transmission. Three modes: touring for daily driving; snow/AWD for safe inclement weather; sport for an “engaging experience”. A “real time damping suspension” is meant to smooth over rough roads. Advanced connectivity and safety features are available, several as options. Remotely controlled seats fold down in a 40-20-40 split for up to 1,783 litres (63 cu. ft.) of storage space.Dan MacMedan
<b>2016 Mercedes-Benz C 300d 4MATIC wagon</b> Segment: Station wagon Base price: TBA, est. $52,000 Available: Summer You’ll like this car if … you’ve been waiting for the compact wagon to retrun after a decade-long hiatus. Exclusive to Canada in North America, the all-wheel drive wagon includes five driving modes -- comfort, eco, sport, sport-plus and individual. The turbo-diesel engine produces 200 horsepower, mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The back seat folds down to make room for at least three hockey bags. Rivals include the Audi A4 allroad, BMW 3 Series Touring and Volvo V60.The Globe and Mail
<b>2017 Chrysler Pacifica</b> Segment: Minivan Base price: TBA Available: Late this year (current Town & Country: $34,695) You’ll like this car if … the minivan can be cool again (if it ever was). FCA is looking at two groups of buyers: A) millennials building families of their own who will fondly remember the good times in mom and dad’s minivan; B) baby boomers ready and willing to haul grandchildren to hockey and soccer. Lower and sleeker looking than the company’s Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan, it’ll also come with hands-free sliding doors on each side, a power liftgate and optinal three-pane sunroof. A redesigned, lighter 3.6-litre V-6 generates 287 horsepower; a hybrid to follow will consume only 2.9 litres/100 km equivalent, the company says.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
<b>Tesla Model X</b> Segment: SUV Base price: TBA Available: Second half, 2016 Tesla pledges 410 kilometres of range on a single charge of the 90 kWh battery. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in an Audi-like 3.4 seconds. Seats seven adults. Falcon Wing doors allow easy access to second and third row seats; the company says "parents can buckle children in without ducking or straining and without bumping their child's head on the roof. A rear hitch for bikes or skis is standard. Summon software improves driver blind spot protection, part of a safety suite that includes parking sensors and automatic emergency braking.Jordan Chittley