Traditionally, the week of February 14 is a time when most people's thoughts turn to hearts and flowers. But for those of us whose veins course with something of higher octane than chocolate, it signifies the preview of the Canadian International Auto Show.
Chatting with other journalists between press conferences, I heard over and over that after Detroit, there were no surprises here. Well, I didn't attend the Motor City Show. To some extent, perhaps that opinion has some merit. Although there were certainly some interesting concepts on display, I didn't get a sense of an overall trend. There was no groundbreaking debut whose name was on everybody's lips.
Personally, though, there's no risk of me ever becoming jaded. Only an hour from home - the CIAS is still much-circled on my calendar and outranks Christmas. After five years of covering the show, I still chuckle inwardly when I hear it dismissed by more cynical members of the press. I hope I never lose the sense of childlike wonder I feel every year when I wander, alone in a room, alongside the likes of a Maserati MC12 or a glorious 1958 Mercedes 300 SL.
Of great interest to me was the Acura Advanced Sedan Concept I spotted turning slowly on a dias, with designer Dave Marek chatting with press nearby. I'd met Mr. Marek the year before, and we'd shared memories of staying after school to scrub our desks free of scribbled hot rods and drag racers. His Acura concept car is huge and imposing - cold, gleaming aluminum with knife-sharp edges and an alien face only a mother-ship could love.
I didn't like it (give me the NSX -- please!) but it was certainly thought-provoking.
Chatting with other journalists between press conferences, I heard over and over that after Detroit, there were no surprises here. Well, I didn't attend the Motor City Show. To some extent, perhaps that opinion has some merit. Although there were certainly some interesting concepts on display, I didn't get a sense of an overall trend. There was no groundbreaking debut whose name was on everybody's lips.
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| Mercedes-Benz 300 SL |
Personally, though, there's no risk of me ever becoming jaded. Only an hour from home - the CIAS is still much-circled on my calendar and outranks Christmas. After five years of covering the show, I still chuckle inwardly when I hear it dismissed by more cynical members of the press. I hope I never lose the sense of childlike wonder I feel every year when I wander, alone in a room, alongside the likes of a Maserati MC12 or a glorious 1958 Mercedes 300 SL.
Of great interest to me was the Acura Advanced Sedan Concept I spotted turning slowly on a dias, with designer Dave Marek chatting with press nearby. I'd met Mr. Marek the year before, and we'd shared memories of staying after school to scrub our desks free of scribbled hot rods and drag racers. His Acura concept car is huge and imposing - cold, gleaming aluminum with knife-sharp edges and an alien face only a mother-ship could love.
 |
| Acura Advanced Sedan Concept |
I didn't like it (give me the NSX -- please!) but it was certainly thought-provoking.