Agera, Porsche, Hot Wheels rule AutoShow

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Koenigsegg Agera RS broke all the records and is now officially the fastest car on the planet. (Photo Courtesy Canadian International AutoShow)

TORONTO, ONTARIO – You just have to love the Canadian International AutoShow (CIAS) where anyone can climb into a Lamborghini and have a personal James Bond moment without getting thrown out of the building.

CIAS attracts thousands of car fans every year for one big reason – sweet ego-building rides that most people can’t afford. One of those stunning unaffordable wonders is the Koenigsegg AB on display at Auto Exotica. On Nov. 4, 2017, the Agera RS went into the Nevada desert and smashed five existing production car speed records, including setting the highest top speed achieved by a production vehicle at 457.94 km/h (284.55 mph).

The Koenigsegg Agera RS is headlining more than three dozen new cars and trucks that are making their first appearance in Canada at CIAS. On Nov. 4, 2017, Koenigsegg AB took the Agera RS to the Nevada desert and smashed five existing production car speed records, including setting the highest top speed achieved by a production vehicle at 457.94 km/h, (284.55 mph).

Feel the need for speed

This jaw-dropping lineup includes Aston Martin, Bugatti, Callaway Corvette, Lamborghini, Bentley, Audi, BMW, Karma, McLaren, Pagani, Rolls-Royce, Lotus and more. Some of the slickest cars on the market can be found at CIAS but this year another big name is on display and great news – this tiny vehicle is completely affordable.

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The 2014 Darth Vader Car made its debut at San Diego Comi-Con. (Rod Charles/Vacay.ca)

Hot Wheels® is at the CIAS to celebrate 50 years of business with an impressive super track, six life-size cars and a Collector’s Zone featuring more than 500 die-cast models. Visitors will also have an opportunity to build their own super tracks in the Hot Wheels Play Zone, where Hot Wheels products will also be available for sale. Owned by Mattel, a creations company behind major brands that include Barbie®, Fisher-Price® and Monster High®, Hot Wheels will definitely be an attraction that will delight little (and big) kids.

One reason for visiting the Hot Wheels attraction is to get a picture beside the Darth Vader car and the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS. Both of these “toys” were recreated into full size functioning vehicles. The second reason for visiting Hot Wheels is the track, all ready to go with a model CN Tower and Rocky Mountains. I took several minutes to play on the track with a group of other men who had clearly forgotten they are supposed to be grownups.

There are other sweet rides to experience at CIAS, besides the Darth Vader car.

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The 918 Spyder hypercar. (The Canadian International AutoShow)

The “70 Years of Porsche” display is a great way to see the history behind one of the great brands from the introduction of the 356, the first production car in 1948 all the way to the debut of the hybrid 918 Spyder hypercar in 2013. The company history, a focus on key individuals in its evolution, and six of its most famous cars over the decades will make up the exhibit including the 912, 911 (930) Turbo and Carrera GT.

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The $15-million 1958 Firebird III. (Canadian International AutoShow)

Headlining the Art & the Automobile display is the $15-million 1958 Firebird III, one the most exotic concepts General Motors ever built. The zenith of GM’s 1950s-era obsession with fins, the Firebird III was the star of GM’s Motorama auto shows in 1958. Other vintage automobiles on display are the 1907 Thomas Flyer, 1925 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, 1926 Bugatti Type 37 Grand Prix, 1939 Delahaye 6 135M Drophead Coupe, body by Tuscher and 1954 Alfa Romeo 1900css.

MORE ABOUT CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL AUTOSHOW

Website: https://www.autoshow.ca
Address: North Building: 255 Front Street West
South Building: 222 Bremner Boulevard
Phone: 905-940-2800
Email: cias@autoshow.ca

Rod has previously worked for Canoe.ca and is currently freelancing for Huffington Post Travel. He’s also written travel articles for the Toronto Star and Up! Magazine. Living in Toronto but raised in the small central Ontario village of Holstein, Rod is a country boy at heart who has never met a farmer’s market he didn’t like.

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