Fave 5: Montreal International Auto Show

Hot off the heels of the North American International Auto Show, Montreal kicks off the Canadian auto show circuit with their slightly smaller version of the auto industry strutting its stuff and showing us what they can. Well, this 2017 version did not disappoint; from quirky concepts to teeny-tiny electric vehicles and powerful supercars, there was much to love about the Montreal International Auto Show this year. But somehow, I’ve whittled it down to five featured vehicles that really stood out for me, this year.

2017 Mercedes-Benz G 550 4X4²

This beast; this beautiful, bold, beast of an SUV. I adore this thing. Its brash, boxy, zero f*cks given design has always been a favourite of mine over the years. And dressed up in vibrant green on absolutely massive 22” rims (which by the way are more than half my height), I love it even more. As if the standard Gelandewagon wasn’t enough, this jacked up version raises the ride height and features a 4.0L V8 twin-turbo engine that produces 416 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. I want it all. All of it. Now, to come up with the $300k+ to buy one…

2018 Audi A5 Sportback

I’ve always been a huge fan of the Audi A5 silhouette. I found it to be the most elegant of the Audi lineup, and don’t get me started on the RS5 (the sounds alone … I need a moment). So, when I first heard about the A5 Sportback, I was a little disappointed; I’d always known the A5 as a coupe. However, the Sportback body style works with the A5’s shape and naturally flows with the vehicle’s lines. And that rear; still as sexy, still as fat (and in all the right ways).

Honda Civic Type R Prototype

Tucked away quietly in the corner of the Montreal International Auto Show sits what will likely be one of the hottest hatches to hit Quebec in some time: the Honda Civic Type R prototype. We love our fun-to-drive hatches here in Montreal, and to prove that the Honda Civic and Mazda3 have been the two bestselling cars in our province for years now. So, the introduction of this little hellion from Honda is sure to get the enthusiast’s blood pumping. I’ve never been a Honda fangirl, but I can see the appeal hear and am intrigued to say the least.

Nissan Qashqai

Once you’ve figured out how to properly say this little crossover’s name, you’ll instantly fall in love with it, like I did. It’s smaller than the Rogue, and just a smidge larger than the JUKE, without all the unnecessary character lines like the latter. The Qashqai (and really, I’m filing this difficulty in pronunciation up there with quinoa and acai…) will take on the likes of the CX-3 and HR-V, and it will do so with ease with a stellar design and Nissan’s proven interior quality design and great powertrain options.

Jaguar F-Type SVR

I know it’s not new. I know there’s an entire room dedicated to Ferraris and Lamborghinis, and there are McLarens and Porsches to look at, too, but… I’m smitten. As I gazed at its beauty draped in blue, I could almost hear the savage exhaust note and the cracking pop reverberating off country walls as I lifted my foot off the throttle ever so slightly… the memory of my time behind the wheel of this one is the main reason it made top 5, and that’s plenty reason enough.