"valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option" (valsidalv)
02/19/2016 at 01:35 • Filed to: None
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"valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option" (valsidalv)
02/19/2016 at 01:35 • Filed to: None | 1
| 6 |
Yesterday I visited the Canadian International Auto Show and since I can’t yet fall asleep I have some thoughts about it.
The picture above is not mine ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ) and in fact I didn’t take any photos at all but you can check out a few !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! by some other Opponauts. The only reason I went was because I knew the Focus RS was there. I just really wanted to see it in person, and the Ford Performance room was my first destination of the evening.
The RS looked great and I’d love to have one. I sat in a Focus ST (the RS was locked) and it was an alright place to be but definitely reminded me of the Fiesta rental I once got. The GT350R looked menacing and won me over - if only I had the money. The Ford GT is a spectacle for sure and I really hope to see one on the road one day. Maybe I will since they’re being built in nearby Markham. Ford was also displaying a Cobra Jet by the wall in its main room and it was barely getting any attention. People were more interested in the boring everyday-mobiles which I think is a slight departure from what this auto show used to be.
Chevy had two Corvettes and a few Camaros out on display and they looked cool. My girlfriend remarked how ugly the Spark EV was and that the Volt wasn’t much nicer. I guess that’s one area where Tesla really stands out.
The rear of the new Q60 really reminds me of the S63 coupe. I started chatting with an Infiniti rep after I mentioned I had a G35 and he was quite knowledgeable. He mentioned the Q30 which was also on display and I thought I’d stump him by asking if it had a Merc engine and he was fully aware of that fact but then gave me some PR spin about how Infiniti went in and really tuned the system to improve the AWD, etc. He told me that in North America Infiniti (Nissan) is actually building all the 4-cylinder engines, which I didn’t know before.
There was an actual M2 on display. It wasn’t particularly fascinating but did have a stick shift. The BMW rep made a point to show me the rear quarter panel... how it’s a bit wider and there’s some crease in it that isn’t on the regular 2-series... “Oh there’s an extra 2 cm of space! I’m definitely going to pre-order one now!” He gave me his business card and I got rid of it promptly.
Buick was there with the Avenir concept and I realized I have no feelings about it one way or the other. I was disappointed to see that Cadillac didn’t bring the Ciel concept.
I sat in the CLA45. It’s definitely more posh than its Ford and Subaru rivals and I think whoever claims that the baby Merc isn’t a “real” M-B car is full of themselves. Yes it’s cheaper and it’s not as nice as an S-class but it does not look like it was thrown together using parts from the bargain bin.
Deadmau5's Purracan was there and his P1. I didn’t even know he had a P1. It was the first one I’ve seen and it’s a gorgeous car - I wish I would have been able to get a little closer.
There was quite a lot of activity at the Honda stand. I’m definitely jaded and a bit of a snob when it comes to cars and that’s because I really enjoy them so I wanted to tell everyone to leave the Civic alone and go look at some more interesting cars!
Here is the 2016 STi interior. Check out the storage compartment between the seats, behind the gear shift and differential controls.
Wtf is that garage-door looking shitty stupid compartment cover??!! Why is something like that in a car like this? I know I’m totally missing the point of the STi by fixating on it but it’s one of those things that I’d look at every time I get into the car and sigh from disappointment. No joke - that’s what popped out at me when I peered into the car because it was locked. Hey, Subaru. Mercedes, BMW, and Audi all had $70k+ cars that were unlocked and people could sit in. It wouldn’t hurt to open up one STi.
I was actually really curious about the Genesis sedan. Since Hyundai plans on spinning off those cars into their own brand I have wondered how they plan on attracting buyers from the established luxury brands. I took a seat and the first sensation I felt was the overwhelming smell of plastic. Cheap plastic. You sit in a luxury car and you should smell leather. As much as I like to root for the underdog I was turned off very quickly. Best of luck to you, Hyundai.
There was a Hellcat spinning around on an unapproachable stand but the Challenger Scat Pack was sitting out in the open. Man, do I want that car. Sitting in the driver’s seat, it feels like there is a mile of hood in front of you and the hood scoop sticks out - fantastic. I really wanted to turn it on and hear the engine. I am strongly considering a Challenger as a summer car if I keep my G for the winter but it’s so difficult to get past the taillights! I think they’re incredibly hideous. The rest of the car speaks to me.
I sat in the new Miata. It was my first time doing so and it felt cramped. I’m 5'10" so I was surprised. Perhaps I’m just used to larger cars.
Last car I want to mention was the 370Z Nismo. Yea, that thing is still around. I checked out some used examples and they are priced almost as much as new ones, so either they hold their value well or there is something else at play. Sooner or later Nissan will have to upgrade the engine in that thing and I see them plopping the same VR twin-turbo destined for the new Infinitis into it.
Alright, that’s enough! Bed time now. Night, Oppo.
The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
> valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option
02/19/2016 at 02:26 |
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I went on Monday (only day that fit my schedule) when it was super busy, I never got a chance to sit in some cars since it was so busy. I sat in the Miata and my head rubbed the roof when it was up (I’m 5,11). I have wide shoulders so I find lots of heavy bolstered seats uncomfortable. I loved the 4x4 Sprinter, it was perfectly over kill. It felt like sitting on top of a mountain.
Party-vi
> valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option
02/19/2016 at 05:42 |
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“but it does not look like it was thrown together using parts from the bargain bin”
The CLA250 definitely looks like it was put together with parts that failed QC checks.
boxrocket
> Party-vi
02/19/2016 at 06:54 |
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Agreed. The back doors are laughably small, as if they were designed for a Pomeranian or Chihuahua, not for people.
Milky
> valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option
02/19/2016 at 09:12 |
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I’m 6' and I love the ND Miata because it felt like just enough car. No more than what was needed, I guess different perspectives.
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valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option
> Milky
02/19/2016 at 11:18 |
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I was just surprised how low to the ground it really is. It felt weird getting in and out. I’d love to take one for a spin to see what it’s like to drive.
chaozbandit
> valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option
02/19/2016 at 11:43 |
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You’re in luck because I got plenty of photos :P I went because there was a F1 GTR in the basement, not that it mattered because I always make a beeline for Level 100 every year right when doors open.
The mustangs were neat - took a six figure F150 King Ranch for a butt test drive and still dont get why people buy this thing. Too bad the raptor was locked but at least it’s in the open this year. Surprised Chevy brought a C7.R spec Z06, though the wheels looked out of place. The C7s are always a joy to sit in but the area is always packed. Seeing so much exposed carbon was neat though.
There were a lot of LWB cars this year - 750Li, G90, CT6, Continental, etc. The CT6 floor model was actually pretty nice to sit in and a smart move on their part; not that disappointed that the Ciel wasn’t there because I saw it at Concours in the summer :P
^ not my photo but pretty much how it was displayed at Cobble Beach.
Deadmau5 took delivery of his P1 last spring but rarely drove it because it scared him. It was spotted doing coffee runs from time to time in Ontario back when it was still the factory blue colour, but has since been in hibernation after SekanSkin wrapped it the matte black and orange you see now. His Purracan has been making its rounds to various shows (incl Importfest) and he drove it backstage at VELD. The 650S is also his, though the only time Ive seen it prior was at Mosport when he lent it to Conor Daly.
The 2016 STI (the Hyper Blue one) is a limited production Hikari spec, 200 units for this year - understandably they probably left it locked. The red WRX was free reign IIRC and there isn’t much between them.
Daaaaat nismo gtr dooooooooooooe.