The Top 10 Cars from the 2016 Canadian International Autoshow

Nissan Titan Warrior Concept

10
The horse power, impressive towing ability and versatility of a truck is what usually gets any outdoorsman or suburbanite excited. However, this Nissan design has added a whole new “manliness” element. It makes its point. The point all go-anywhere aimed trucks make – to tell the world it can conquer all and be the biggest, meanest machine for miles. Nissan say it’s designed to look like a helmet when it’s looked at head on, and down the body to look like a suit of modern armour. It’s aimed to be a Ford Raptor killer and it looks like not only could it go anywhere just as well, but it will be king of wherever it damn well wants to go.

BMW M6 Gran Coupe

9
The BMW M6 Gran Coupe. When the 6 series came out (especially the original M6) its power figures were astonishing. The 6 series could hang with the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and the 911 Turbo, but was lacking when it came to the trunk design. It appeared as though the design engineers got to the trunk at quitting time on the Friday before a holiday weekend, so they just slapped a square chunk of clay in between the round shaped rear tail lights and went for a beer. The new M6 Gran Coupe has grown up. It’s properly shaped – in a very nice way I might add, and still has the power to hang with the big sports coupes.

Lamborghini Huracan Spyder

8
The Lamborghini Huracan Spyder. This has been the pattern of late with Lamborghini, they come out with a new model that has a hardtop, and it’s a fine thing but doesn’t really get me excited. Aventador, Huracan, and both generations of the Gallardo - every time Lamborghini figured out if they take the roof off, it could be the prettiest car ever to stalk this Earth. The story is the same here with the latest addition to the family. The Huracan has taken its top off and boy, is it ever a glorious sight.

Acura NSX

7
The new NSX. Some of you may believe it should be ranked higher. I do too, but there is a problem. Honda’s original NSX and so-called “Ferrari Killer” went fast enough (though never quite as fast), was mid-engined, and had unquestionable supercar looks – for less than half the price. The new NSX looked to be much the same story. Mid engine, check. Eye watering speed, check. Insane hybrid system, check. Price… Wait what? This new NSX costs very nearly as much as the 458 did. And for that reason the new NSX only makes 7th place. It makes me sad, but I won’t be expecting to see nearly as many of these as we did (and do) of the original generations of the NSX that were made between 1991 and 2005.

Mercedes AMG GT-S

6
Although it isn’t entirely new anymore, the AMG GT-S had to make the top 10. Its predecessor, the SLS AMG, was a bit too much of a show-off. Its gullwing doors were a tribute to its grandfather, the 300SL, but forced the driver to be unable to enter or exit the vehicle with any dignity or discretion. The AMG GT-S is much more civilized. It has very much the same power figures and top speed, but does so with less size and more class. I’d like to think of the SLS AMG as a teenager, showing off and doing all it can for attention. While the GT-S is the more mature vehicle, still able to do all the same things, but much more refined and better looking.

#7 Joest Racing Audi R18 TDI LMP1

5
12 wins. That’s all this car needs to say. Although this particular generation of the R18 TDI failed to bring home the 13th win for Joest Racing at the 24 hours of Le Mans last year, it still continues a long line of racing pedigree. The LMP1 class has brought about many of the technological advancements we see every day in the cars you and I will buy, and to see this car at the Auto Show was a dream come true. It brought back so many memories, most notably my first time seeing the 24 hour race where I stayed up all night as a teenager watching the live stream, hiding in the computer room with the volume low enough I wouldn’t wake my mother. Many of you may have the same experience seeing this car, as you stand there staring at it reminiscing all your greatest memories of this legendary race. And indeed, this legendary car.

2016 Nissan GT-R Nismo

4
Even ordinary people not burdened with an obsession of automobiles know the name: Skyline. It is the favourite car of many, and so it should be. Personally I’m an S-Chassis fan over these flagship monsters, I do however still hold very much respect for this car dubbed “Godzilla”. I haven’t yet decided if I’m a true fan of this R35 GT-R that brought back the Godzilla name back in 2009, but it makes a strong case for itself. This new Nismo tuned GT-R is no exception, looking very much the same as its predecessors save the addition of a new style of wing and a squared off rear bumper – it has somehow managed to become even faster, and somehow, better looking.

McLaren 650S

3
McLaren broke the internet when it released the P1, and Top Gear sealed the deal on the excitement when it featured the next generation hyper car at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. The company’s idea of taking the hybrid idea that bored us all and using it to increase the cars ability to break your neck and compress your internal organs was a turning point in automotive history. But the P1 is ridiculously expensive, and the MP4-12C was never that good looking. That reason is why I adore the 650S, with its jaw dropping P1 inspired looks but MP4 affordability – relatively speaking – it easily made the top 10.

Alfa Romeo Giulia

2
As a car enthusiast, it is known to be the law that we have to love Alfa Romeo. Historically they have been phenomenally unreliable, and were designed to be the ultimate automobile, once. In its entry into Canada, there is no telling if this new Giulia will be an exception to Alfa’s reputation, but one thing is for sure – it is most definitely another example of gorgeous Italian styling, as Alfa’s always have been. The Quadrifoglio version on display at this year’s show has the potential to go down as one of the greatest cars in history, boasting around 500 horsepower and a top speed of over 300km/h. Not to mention, an Alfa Romeo badge.

Ferrari Dino GT

1
The Ferrari Dino GT, made in the late 60’s and early 70s by Ferrari while the company was still being overseen by the Commendatore himself – Enzo Ferrari. It was never going to be the fastest car on the road with its 2.4L V6 putting down a mere 192hp, but this car is beautiful, rare, and fantastic. I took way too many pictures of this car, alarmed at how this car looked great from any angle. This car had to make first place, if for no other reason that its rarity. The odds of seeing another one of these in person are incredibly small, unless you’re one of the few lucky enough to own one. As one admires the handmade shape of this car, you find yourself dreaming of driving this thing through the Italian lakes. Sun shining, lake glistening, and Italian scenery going by through the window accompanied by the sound of the hand built 1970s V6 growling behind you. There is no question this car is what dreams are made of, and standing in its presence you can feel its heart and soul beating while it waits for its next owner to take it for a drive. That’s what automobiles are to us car bores, we feel its heart beat, join with its soul, and fall in love. That’s what this passion is about, and this Dino GT is the finest example of it at the 2016 Canadian International Autoshow.

Article & Photography by Adam Tedesco
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