The 2015 Canadian International Auto Show #CIAS

It smells so good in there – new car smell turned up to 11.

First stop was the exotic room downstairs.

I was there hours before the rest of the media ha, but didn’t Tweet as much so not to bring heat to my interview subject.

Pfaff always brings the big badges.

Top is a Pagani (more about this car here, including me inside the thing), and bottom is my dream supercar – a Mclaren.

Because most cars make their debuts at either the LA or Detroit show, most of us auto journalists have seen all these cars already.

See my Top 5 list for the paper – Top 5 Favourite Things at the LA Auto Show.

Stopped by for the Acura NSX reveal. Why doesn’t everyone use this silver fabric? So dramatic.

Acura NSX Reveal

First time I saw this car in real life was Detroit a couple years ago, more about that here.

Best ad spec of the show goes to Honda’s selfie stick.

Which I used to capture the best part of any show – the people.

Here’s the website – Autoshow.ca – $23/adult, $7/kid, $45/family – February 13 – 22, 2015.

 

 

5 Cars to Watch in 2014

Filmed at this year’s Canadian International Auto Show, check out these favourites if you’re shopping for a new car this year.

As they appear:

– 2014 Buick Regal GS
– Jaguar anything
– Chevy’s MyLink infotainment system
– 2015 Nissan’s Micra
– 2015 Audi A3

 

Smells so good inside an auto show.

 

 

 

Been Filming with Motoring TV

Motoring TV – Canada’s longest running TV show * about cars on TSN.

* 26 years!

Acutal real microphones were used, a first for me.

They film on tape, gah; I could never.

Years ago I wrote a diatribe against tape, hang on… here, 2009.

Feel just as strongly today.

This is the crispest footage of me, ever.

These are all for a new segment we launched today,
Motoring TV ‘Double Talk‘.

Keep an eye MotoringTV.com, I’ll be in a bunch starting tomorrow.

I’m pointing here!

Aaaaand action.

[photos by Ed Gatner]

 

 

AutoShow = 15 Videos Filmed and 0 Tweets

Not one!  Quite the departure from previous shows and years.  This was one of the only photos I took, Lexus’ new concept car.

But looking over the #CIAS hashtag, and doesn’t look like I’m alone, it’s quite sparse compared to past years.  Don’t know why, but interesting eh.

Video though, most every by far.  Miles and I killed it.  We filmed a KeriBlog video and one for my segment on Motoring, a total of 7 cars mini-reviews.

Russ and I also filmed about 5 mini-car reviews for Motoring,

These will air week after next.

This has easily my best auto week yet.  Been killing it all week.

Ford granted me 1/2 exclusive interviews to their… Futurist. For someone with an entire blog section dedicated to Predictions you bet I was into it.

Meet Sheryl Connelly, who was delightful.

I rarely use that word, because it rarely fits. But she really was.

Next week’s Keri on Driving column is about that, then I also fit in a video interview for KeriBlog, asking her what she thought of my personal predictions. We had so much fun I’m pleased to report she was late for her second interview (with Zoomer Media at that; little KeriBlog.com win there ha, oh I love my job).

Two parties last night, first a Chrysler party, then dinner with Nissan / Infiniti.

It’s not really right to take photos at these things, especially being this weirdo blog/journalist hybrid, so I usually err on the side of no.

Can’t feel the balls of my feet from being on them all day (did 12 hours in 4″ shoes son!).

Came home to the return of my BFF from Africa (Suzy HI), who, in her typical BFF fashion, had left me a message to say shed arrived home safe, and then all about how her boys had told her about how, in the Kingston paper this week, 4 of the 9 auto articles were by me, and she was so proud, nothing about ohhh that she’d just travelled to the other side of the world xo.

Hi from my local, just cheered you with my Stella while I blog this, then Motoring’s two posts tomorrow (you didn’t know I was doing that eh ;).

Been averaging about 3 hours / night, I do sleep deprivation pretty well, boom boom. I am blinking a lot though, and bet I’ll read this tomorrow, shaking my head.

Tomorrow morning we’re off to a Corvette event, then file my column, and then that’s my week complete, fall on my face.

TTYT

 

 

CAA is More Than Road Side Assistance

Although best known for their roadside assistance, CAA is more than that, like this educational display.

At this year’s Canadian International Auto Show, CAA brought in the most popular hybrids and EVs (electric vehicles), then posted the vehicle’s fuel efficiency stats for easy comparison.

I’d always wanted to see the brands laid out like this, because as I suspected, things are not what they seem.

Note the differences between these two:

The Ford (4.3 L/100km in the city) is twice as efficient as the seemingly more eco-friendly Volt (6.7 L/100km in the city) (sorry about the hazy photos).

Click here to use visit CAA’s Electric Vehicle site to learn more about what driving an eco car really means.

I’ve long been a CAA fan, and have a ton of CAA posts, and dedicated one of my weekly columns to proving why you should be a member (new car owners included).

So because I’m familiar with one of Canada’s oldest’s non-profit organizations, it made sense they approached me to be a guest blogger during the next few weeks, and I’m really excited about this.

Because I had no clue about CAA’s other division:  Life-Side Assistance (clever name, eh).

For example, use your membership to recieve discounts to… Stars on Ice?!

I was surprised that CAA’s reach extended so far.  Probably you’ll be surprised too, check out the full list of Savings Partners.

I’m thinking I’ll use my membership to save on tickets at the Toronto Symphony, new eyeglasses at LensCrafters, a Cineplex movie and dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Look for the first post next week as I start to explore how they can assist with everyday life.

Until then, follow CAA on Twitter and friend them on Facebook, and if you’re driving without roadside assistance, that’s foolish, join now.