Hyundai Canada says it will return to consumer auto shows, starting with the Drive Festival, which runs Sept. 10-12 at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ont., about 70 kilometres east of Toronto.
As part of the event, Hyundai’s all-new Elantra N, Kona N will and Ioniq 5 electric vehicle will be on public display for the first time in Canada.
Visitors will also be able to test-drive Hyundai’s performance models through the following vehicles: Veloster N with manual-transmission, Elantra N Line, Sonata N Line and Kona N Line on a performance-specific test track.
“After nearly two years of being absent from consumer auto shows, we are very much looking forward to connecting with the general public and getting live feedback on our 2022 Hyundai lineup,” Hyundai Canada Director of Marketing Christine Smith said in a statement. “Hyundai’s product portfolio has evolved rapidly since 2020, namely with the influx of electrified vehicles and the expansion of the N Line and N models. Drive Fest is a fantastic way for customers to directly experience the Hyundai brand across its entire spectrum, while seeing up-close, models which have yet to reach showrooms.”
Drive Fest showcases new car technology and allows test drives on three tracks.
Visitors will be able to experience the off-road capabilities of Hyundai’s Tucson, Palisade, Santa Fe and the Santa Cruz Sport on a special route.
The announcement of a return to in-person, live events came Wednesday as Ontario reported 554 new cases of COVID-19, and 16 more deaths. Next door, Quebec reported 600 new cases.
Drive Fest organizers say pre-booking tickets is mandatory as they are limiting the event capacity per Step 3 of Ontario’s reopening plan.
Test-drive access will be monitored individually by each manufacturer on-site and will be based on a first-come, first-served basis.
Masks must be worn when test-driving cars, participating in ride-and-drives, entering washroom facilities, crossing bridges or entering buildings and when registering for the event.
Physical distancing is mandatory when walking around the 900-acre venue, which includes extra-wide aisles to facilitate social distancing.
Contact tracing is also in place for the event, with additional tracing for all test-drives and activations.
