The Vancouver International Auto Show showcased an exciting roster of new 2013 vehicles, many making their Canadian debut.
BMW brought to the West Coast its 6 Series Gran Coupe for its North American debut after it was premiered to the world only weeks before at the Geneva Motor Show. The new BMW, a four-door, offers a sleek design, sloping roof, and a rich look to the exterior finishing.
Making a Canadian debut at the auto show were the 2013 S5 Coupe and the 2013 Smart Fortwo vehicles.
Seen for the first time in Western Canada were the 2013 Dodge Dart and the Jetta Hybrid while a number of 2013, and a few 2012s, made a regional appearance. These included the Audi A4 Allroad, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Spark, Chevrolet Malibu Eco, 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Cadillac XTS, Mercedes B Class, 2012 Mercedes SL Class, the electric Smart Fortwo, 2012 Toyota Prius c and the zippy little Scion FR-S, a sports car appealing to the young with a good lead in price.
Popular, as always at the car show, was the Classic Alley as it highlighted unique and restored vehicles of past eras. This year’s selection, hand picked by Nigel Matthews, director of sales and marketing for Hagerty Canada, included: a red 1955 Mercedes 300SL; a 1968 MGB GT; a 1938 Chevrolet street road; a 1966 VW bus (a 10-year renovation project which includes the addition of a 500-pound, 560 V8 engine from a mid-seventies); Cadillac Eldorado and a 1965 rally prepared Alfa Romeo Giulia TI.
