CALGARY – From fantasy to reality, here are 10 things you must not miss at the 2014 Calgary International Auto and Truck Show.
Hosted by the Calgary Motor Dealers Association, the event rolls into the BMO Centre at Stampede Park in mid-March. Doors open on Wednesday, March 12 and close on Sunday, March 16.
For those five days, all 250,000 square feet of available exhibition space in the BMO Centre is dedicated to wheeled vehicles – from those we wish we could see parked in the garage, to those we need to see parked in the garage.
“There’s never really been a better time to look at what manufacturers have to offer,” says CMDA executive manager Jim Gillespie. “It’s an exciting time to be involved in the auto industry.”
First on the list is a complete flight of fancy — the Infiniti Red Bull F1 car. According to Infiniti, the car on display hasn’t actually seen any track time; it’s a replica of the RB9 racecar.
However, the real RB9 has taken Sebastien Vettel to four consecutive titles in Formula One racing. Vettel is the youngest racer ever to accomplish this feat. Sorry, but Deerfoot Trail racers will have to keep on dreaming.
Further along the fantasy path are some of the exotic cars on the show floor. So, at number two, there is a 2014 Aston Martin Vanquish coupe – according to show organizers this is the actual car that was used in recent episodes of Top Gear and Jay Leno’s Garage. Two all new Astons are here as well, the 2014 Vanquish Volante and the 2015 V12 Vantage S.
Number three on the list is Bentley. The automaker is here with the 2014 GT V8 S; this is a new model for the automaker, and had its North American launch earlier this year in Detroit. The Flying B’s grand tourer, hence the GT designation, is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre engine that makes 521 horsepower and 502 ft.-lbs. of torque.
Getting closer to reality, at number four, is the new Jaguar F-Type Coupe. Originally designed by Ian Callum as the C-X16 concept car, the production version F-Type Coupe is built on an all-aluminum platform and is powered by either a 340 h.p. V6 or a 380 h.p. V6. It’s the 380 h.p. V6 S on display here — top of the range is the F-Type R, which has a 550 h.p. 5.0L supercharged V-8 lurking under the hood.
Driving across the country in a big rig might be fantasy for some, but it’s a definite reality for others who earn their living hauling goods. For those who’ve always wondered what it’s like to sit behind the wheel of a large tractor, you’re in luck. At number five is the Heavy Haulers display, where the big trucks are open for inspection. Climb up into the driver’s seat, look around, and imagine piling on the miles.
Much closer to the average family’s reality is the purchase of a brand new pickup truck. Number six on the list? The new pickups from Ford and GM.
Much has been made of the new lightweight aluminum-paneled Ford F-150, and it’s here at the show. Not to be outdone, there’s the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado HD with its all-new exterior and 6.5’ and 8’ boxes. .
In fact, number seven could be the entire GM display. Including the Silverado, there are 11 vehicles here that are seeing their regional debut, and one, the 2015 Yukon XL family-hauler, is a Canadian unveiling. Performance enthusiasts will want to see the 2014 Camaro Z/28 and the Corvette Stingray convertible, while those with family in tow who enjoy a full-size four door car should inspect the 2014 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan.
Number eight is the kid’s treasure hunt activity. At the Internet entry kiosks, children will be handed a treasure map questionnaire and an Auto Show pencil. They’ll have to answer questions such as what size wheel is on a specific vehicle, or what colour is another. When completed and returned, the first 1,000 children will receive a colouring book and an Auto Show poster – this event is sponsored by Subaru Canada.
At number nine, don’t forget to visit the Calgary Herald and Calgary Sun booths where you can enter to win a new ride. This might be a mix of fantasy and reality, but you can’t win if you don’t enter. The Herald is giving away a fully loaded, all new 2014 Mazda3 Sport GT.
And finally, at number 10 on the list and closest to reality for men over the age of 40 is the Man Van. Calgary’s Prostate Cancer Centre will have the Man Van at the show, and will be offering free baseline PSA blood tests as part of their ‘Get Checked’ program. The van will be staffed from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
IF YOU GO
The Calgary International Auto and Truck Show runs March 12 to 16. Show hours are Wed. 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Thurs. through Sat. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sun. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adult weekday admission is $10, while adult weekend admission is $15. Senior (+65) and youth (11 – 17) tickets are $8, and a family-of-four ticket (two adult, two youth) is $34.95. Tickets are available at the show, online at www.autoshowcalgary.com or at Safeway stores. Buy your weekday admission tickets online and receive a $2 discount.
It’s not too late to attend Vehicles and Violins, either. This exclusive preview is the best way to see the show on the evening of Tuesday, March 11. Tickets are $150 each, but all proceeds are divided between three charities, and the admission includes fine food, beverages and music. Live and silent auction items are available, including the Calgary Herald’s box in the Scotiabank Saddledome for Shania Twain’s concert on July 9. To be added to the guest list, call 403-974-0707 or email cmda@telus.net before the morning of March 11.
