30 new rides at the Canadian International AutoShow

Audi’s first all-electric production vehicle takes the form of a full-size all-wheel-drive utility vehicle: The plug-in e-tron. Delivering measured power to each wheel depending on road conditions, Audi claims a range of almost 420 kilometres. The e-tron features several charging options. Top speed is limited to 200 km/h.

Larger in every dimension Audi's second-generation small utility vehicle offers a choice of three gasoline and two diesel engines, and front- and all-wheel-drive variants. Fresh styling comes with greater utility and space and the latest connectivity features.

A choice of twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engines producing 255 and 382 horsepower, 50/50 front/rear weight distribution, and new front and rear suspensions take the Z4 Roadster from track-ready runner to top-down cruiser in seconds. Both models, sDrive30i and M40i, get an eight-speed transmission with launch control.

Cadillac grows its utility-vehicle lineup in 2019 with the 2020 XT6 tall wagon. A 3.6-litre V-6 and a nine-speed automatic transmission are standard. Built on an expanded version of the five-passenger XT5 model, the XT6 has three rows of seats and fills a significant gap in the lineup with the much-more-expensive truck-based Escalade

Attention-grabbing design meets customer-focused technologies in the 2019 Blazer. Available this spring, it will slot between the Equinox and Traverse. The five-passenger Blazer bristles with innovations such as hitch guidance and hitch view, electronic-locking glovebox, automatic heated steering wheel and automatic heated and ventilated front seats.

CIAS 2019 marks the Western-Hemisphere debut for the Dubai-built Devel Sixteen, currently among the world’s most intriguing and crazy-powerful hypercars. The top-end model is motivated by a four-turbo 12.3-litre V-16 engine generating 5,007 horsepower and 3,757 pound-feet of torque. It has a claimed top speed of 350 mph (560 km/h).

The most powerful street-legal Ford to date arrives this fall boasting a supercharged 5.2-litre V-8 producing 700-plus horsepower and sub-11-second quarter-mile acceleration times. Bristling with technology borne of racing, the GT500 gets a segment-first dual-clutch paddle-shift transmission while an already-aggressive aero design increases downforce and improves thermal management, Ford says.

The Genesis brand’s first battery-electric vehicle has a lightweight carbon-fibre monocoque chassis, multi-motor electric powertrain and a custom interior with seating for two. Iconic Grand Turismo (GT) proportions match its high-performance aspirations, while the goal was to integrate car and driver, and for the car to be “thoroughly connected” to the world around it

High technology combines with outright brawn in the 2020 GMC Sierra Heavy Duty (and its twin-under-the-skin Chevrolet Silverado). The Sierra Heavy Duty goes all in on delivering seamless towing in a unique trailering system that employs 15 camera views, including a segment-first “transparent” trailer view that allows the driver to virtually see through a trailer in tow.

Hyundai’s new midsize utility vehicle rides on an all-new chassis built just for it. As the company’s premium size-large offering, it seats up to eight people, providing seven USB ports, 16 cupholders, generous cargo area and “intuitive utility [through] reconfiguration flexibility.” The all-wheel-drive system has a Snow Mode, which Canadians will appreciate.

As a pointer to Infiniti’s “imminent” electrified future, the QX Inspiration midsize utility concept makes its Canadian debut promising high performance, ultra-low emissions and driver range confidence.

Equipped with a 5.0-litre V-8 supercharged w gasoline engine, the Jaguar F-Pace SVR does 1 0-100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and has a top speed of 283 km/h. A Variable Valve “active” exhaust system ensures the supercharged V-8 N delivers sounds to match its performance.

Available this fall, the Forte5 hatchback is focused on design, performance and functionality, complementing all three aspects with an optional GT performance upgrade motivated by a 1.6-litre turbo hooked to a seven-speed paddle-shift transmission.

Toyota-owned brand’s vision of a flagship luxury utility vehicle. A convergence of angular and organic design with digital side-view monitors, a Chauffeur Mode for autonomous driving capabilities and more, the concept showcases technology, innovation and the latest evolution in Lexus design.

The luxury brand is upping its game in the premium midsize-utility segment with the new Aviator. Equipped with three rows of seats, it’s built on a new rear-wheel drive platform shared with the next-generation Ford Explorer. The Aviator scales new tech heights to lower itself for entry and exit, scan the road ahead for potholes and obstacles and allow drivers to unlock and start the vehicle using their smartphone in place of a key. 

The Mazda3 sedan and Mazda3 Sport hatchback will be available in Canada with Mazda’s own predictive i-Activ all-wheel-drive system. Mazda said in a statement the two body types have personalities so distinct from one another, “one might even think they were different models.”

Named for one of the world’s great racing drivers — Ayrton Senna, who drove for McLaren in Formula One from 1988 to 1993, winning three world titles — the Senna personifies the race-engineering company’s technical ability. McLaren calls it the most track-worthy car in its lineup. The 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V-8 generates 789 horse- power and 516 pound-feet of torque.

The first all-electric Mercedes-Benz to come to market under the automaker’s new product and technology brand, EQ, represents what it says is the leading example of a growing family of all-electric vehicles. The EQC’s electrical range will exceed 400 kilometres per charge, says Mercedes, and it also pioneers the new brand’s “avante-garde electro-look,” inside and out.

The all-new and radically redesigned Leaf Nismo RC showcases the performance potential of Nissan electric technology. The purpose-built, zero-emission racecar from Nissan’s performance house packs more than double the maximum power and torque output of the original-body-style model it replaces, and looks way more compelling. Two motors deliver 322 combined horse- power and make 472 pound-feet of instant torque.

Making its Canadian debut, the 2019 Maxima adds to Nissan’s expanding Intelligent Mobility offerings with Safety Shield 360 on full display: A suite of six advanced active-safety and driver-assist technologies designed to provide all-round active driver assistance, including crash-avoidance and pedestrian-detection functions.

Lightweight and balanced, Porsche’s new 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport is more than a commitment to the racetrack, says Porsche. “It’s a declaration of addiction to motorsport.” The track-only Clubsport has a 425-horsepower horizontally opposed six-cylinder boxer engine.

Volvo Cars’ flagship luxury/performance/ technology division took a multifaceted approach to powering the S60 T8 Polestar Engineered. The midsize sedan combines a supercharged and turbocharged gasoline engine with an electric motor. Four driving modes range from gasoline/electric combinations to all electric, while an individual mode allows settings to be tailored by the driver. 

Making its Toronto debut with enhanced refinement and presence, Range Rover’s original luxury compact utility vehicle features new architecture designed for electrification. A cornucopia of drivetrain options includes three- and four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines, hybrid gasoline-electric power, a 48-volt mild-hybrid powertrain and a three-cylinder-plug-in-hybrid option.

It’s the heaviest-duty of the heavy-duty pick- ups, says FCA Canada: A new 6.7-litre Cummins high-output turbo-diesel engine delivers an even 1,000 pound-feet of torque. Compared to Ford, Chevrolet and GMC, FCA says RAM HD for 2019 posts the highest-capability numbers for both diesel- and gasoline-powered pickups: Precisely 15,921 kilo- grams of towing, and 3,484 kilograms payload.

The FCR Concept envisions mobility in a low-carbon society, with advanced use of hydrogen and renewable energy. Rotating seats allow flexibility for up to six adults while touch-display “Agent” functions enable all to access information. The Fine-Comfort Ride Concept has a hydrogen refuelling time of about three minutes and a cruising range of about 1,000 kilometres, says Toyota.

With a combined highway-city fuel-consumption rating of 4.7 l/100 km, the Prius AWD-e uses an independent electric motor to power the rear wheels. The AWD-e also debuts refined front and rear styling and new interior updates.

The fifth-generation Supra, Toyota’s sportiest nameplate, rejoins the fray after more than two decades away. Riding on a platform shared with the BMW Z4 Roadster, the turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine produces 335 horsepower, driving the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The concept precedes VW’s upcoming battery-electric vehicle. The I.D. Crozz, says VW Canada, is due to go on sale “in final form” in 2021. It will be based on VW’s new modular MEB platform upon which new electric vehicles will be built for sale as soon as 2020.

The forerunner of Volkswagen’s I.D. family of all-electric vehicles is more than a fanciful design exercise. The I.D. R Pikes Peak not only won the 2018 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado, it shattered the all-time record by an unprecedented 16 seconds, making motorsports history in the process.

The sporty GLI sedan makes its Canadian debut featuring the same powertrain and underpinnings as the two-door GTI. The turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and drivetrain, borrowed from the GTI, produces 220 horsepower and a stout 258 pound-feet of torque.