From the practical to the fast and furious, these are among the vehicles making their public debuts in Canada, at the Canadian International Auto Show starting Feb. 16. Look for a special edition of Drive previewing the show in the Feb. 17 weekend newspaper.
Audi A8
The Audi A8 signals the dawning of a new design era for the entire brand. The front end with the wide, upright single-frame grille and the fluid, muscular body symbolize sporty elegance, sophistication and progressive status. The fourth-generation A8 is the first production automobile in the world to have been developed specifically for conditional automated driving at Level 3. The Audi AI traffic jam pilot takes charge of driving in slow-moving traffic at up to 60 kilometres an hour on highways and freeways where a physical barrier separates the two carriageways. The A8 is powered by a 3.0 TFSI engine that produces 340 horsepower. The electronically controlled eight-speed automatic transmission is paired with quattro permanent all-wheel drive.
BMW i8 Roadster
The 2019 BMW i8 roadster is the first droptop version of the brand's hybrid supercar. Like the coupe, the roadster is powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor and an 9.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. Total power output is rated at 369 hp that can launch the all-wheel drive i8 roadster to 100 km/h from rest in just 4.6 seconds. The i8 roadster features extensive use of carbon fibre reinforced polymer and aluminum in its chassis and body panels which helps it check in at a rather trim 1,595 kilograms. The launch of the roadster, along with the refreshed 2019 i8 coupe, is slated for spring.
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
The 2019 ZR1 is the fastest production Corvette ever. It all starts under the hood with a supercharged 6.2-litre LT5 V-8 engine. The LT5 delivers the highest output ever for a Chevrolet production vehicle, thanks in part to a new, more-efficient intercooled supercharger system that offers 52 per cent more displacement than the Z06's LT4 supercharger. GM's first dual fuel-injection system, which employs primary direct injection and supplemental port injection, helps the LT5 achieve its record output. Top speed of the ZR1 is more than 337 km/h. Seven-speed manual and eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmissions are available with the LT5. It's the first time an automatic transmission has been offered in a ZR1.
Genesis GV80 Concept
The GV80 Concept is a hydrogen fuel cell-powered SUV that offers a glimpse into the future of mobility from luxury automaker Genesis. The exterior design features a massive front grille and 23-inch mesh wheels. The interior has a 'bridge' instrument panel that stretches across the cabin from door to door and houses a 22-inch curved OLED touchscreen display that flows into the instrument cluster. The screen displays two distinct zones, with information for both the driver and passenger. A semi-aniline leather interior with diamond stitching on the door panels, seat inserts and centre console side highlight a cabin that also features polished aluminum trim accents and an ash wood centre console and floorboards.
Infiniti Project Black S Concept
A collaborative effort with the Renault Sport Formula One Team, the Project Black S Concept features an aerodynamically optimized new design, with deep body stamping from the Q60's manufacturing process, which allows the Project Black S to retain the sports coupe's deep creases and flowing lines. The performance hybrid powertrain being explored through Project Black S features an "energy recovery system" to harvest energy, deploying recovered electric power to boost power and torque. Directly inspired by the dual-hybrid system proven in Formula One, it provides instant, significant lag-free acceleration. This technology does not yet exist in a current road car.
Niro Plug-in Hybrid
As Kia's third plug-in model, the Niro PHEV offers the same crossover utility, fun-driving and winning design of the Niro hybrid, but with an estimated 42 km of all-electric range. And with the total driving range rated at up to an estimated 900 km, it offers fantastic versatility. With Niro Plug-in Hybrid you can have it all – pure EV daily driving and the ability to take long road trips.
Koenigsegg Agera RS
In late 2017, on a closed section of highway in Nevada, the Koenigsegg Agera RS was clocked at 457.94 km/h, the fastest speed ever measured on a public road. Powered by a twin-turbocharged 5.0-litre aluminum V-8, the Agera RS from Sweden produces a staggering 1,160 hp and 944 lb-ft. of maximum torque. Total production run is limited to 25 units.
Lamborghini Urus
Built on the same platform that underpins the Audi Q7, Bentley Bentayga and Porsche Cayenne, the Urus – the name refers to the Aurochs, one of the wild ancestors of domestic cattle – is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V-8 engine that produces 650 hp and 627 lb-ft. of torque. From a design perspective, the Urus is very much a Lamborghini, and it carries forward the two-thirds body, one-third window ratio of its sports car siblings. Same goes for its aggressive, shark-like nose, slim LED headlights and tail lights and large rear diffuser. The interior evokes a strong feeling of modern Lamborghini design, from the D-shaped steering wheel to the brushed metal accents and squarish lines and contours of the dashboard.
Mercedes-AMG Project One Hypercar
Engineers from AMG HQ in Germany, along with the company's Formula One operations in Britain transplanted the high-performance plug-in hybrid drive system from the team's Formula One car. Project ONE uses the same 1.6-litre turbocharged V-6 working in conjunction with four electric motors; the front axle will be powered entirely by two 120-kilowatt motors. The mid-mounted V-6 is capable of reaching engine speeds of 11,000 rpm, unheard of for a production car. Power will be sent to all four wheels via an AMG eight-speed manual transmission. So how fast is it? Blindingly. AMG pegs total system power at 1,000 hp which can rocket the car from zero to 200 km/h in less than six seconds, with a top speed of 350 km/h. Mercedes-AMG has said production will be limited to 275 units.
Porsche 911 Carrera T
The Porsche 911
Carrera T harks back to the 1968 original both in terms of style and structure. The Carrera T is lighter, has a manual transmission and comes with a shorter transaxle ratio and a mechanical rear differential lock. Other standard kit includes a sport suspension with a 10 millimetre lower ride height, shorter gear shifter (with a red shift pattern), and optional rear-axle steering. The Carrera T is powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat six-cylinder engine that produces 370 horsepower and 331 lb-ft. of torque, which can produce a zero-to-100 km/h time of 4.3 seconds and a top track speed of 293 km/h. Manual and PDK transmissions are available.
Ram 1500 and 1500 Sport
2019 Ram 1500 Rebel.
Overall weight for the 2019 Ram 1500 has been reduced by 102 kg. An all-new eTorque system delivers improved fuel efficiency in both V-6 and V-8 configurations. The upgraded eTorque version of the Pentastar V-6 is the standard engine in most trim levels, specifically tuned for truck duty and rated at 305 hp and 269 lb.-ft. of torque. The 5.7-litre HEMI V-8 combines the muscle of 395 hp and 410 lb.-ft. of torque with performance-enhancing and fuel-saving technologies that include variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation. Every 2019 Ram 1500 is equipped with a fully electronic eight-speed automatic transmission with a wide spread of gear ratios.
Subaru WRX STI Type RA
The 2018 Subaru WRX STI Type RA is aimed at the discerning enthusiast, with increased performance through weight reduction, suspension improvements and engine upgrades. Output from the 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder Boxer engine has been increased to 310 hp through the addition of a new cold-air intake and high-flow performance exhaust. The six-speed manual transmission has a revised third-gear ratio and a short-throw shifter. Each model comes equipped with a carbon-fibre roof panel, removal of the spare tire, a carbon-fibre pedestal wing and lightweight BBS 19-inch forged alloy wheels in a brilliant gold.
Volkswagen Passat GT
The Passat GT gets a big performance boost thanks to the presence of a 3.6-litre turbocharged VR6 engine that produces 280 hp and is mated to a six-speed double-clutch transmission. A lowered suspension (15.24 mm), along with 19-inch wheels gives it a more aggressive and planted position on the road, while painted red brake calipers, a black honeycomb grille insert and red accent lines are reminiscent of the GTI.
Volvo XC40 R Design
Volvo's third SUV offers provides a new expression of Scandinavian design for the brand. In Canada, the XC40 will be equipped with Volvo's T5 Drive-E powertrain and all-wheel-drive capabilities in both Momentum and R-Design vehicle trims.
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