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This year the Canadian International Auto Show was themed
"The New Era". A theme not inept since a lot of emphasis is put
on alternative fuel technology and environmental
responsibilityby most of the car makers – but at times a little
measure of style and power is what is required to get you
through the night – so dream on.
I am mainly concentrating on the car dealers that I am
personally familiar with, such as Paul Schmelzer’s "Centre
Honda", where a few of my friends bought their cars and our
Volkswagen dealerships like Klaus Zimmermann’s "St. Catherine Volkswagen" dealership and Doug Ramsay’s "Queensway
Volkswagen & Audi" dealership, where my father in law bought
his first Volkswagen, back in the 60’s. A lot of water has run
down the Humber since then.
One of the outstanding entries this year was Honda’s FC Sports
car concept with its insightful fuel-cell technology. This
design study may look a bit ‘avant garde’ to some, but this
three-seat, hydrogen powered sports car design concept – that
made its debut at this show - may just be what some dreams are
made of. It emphasizes the design flexibility and potential of
Honda’s V Flow technology. First introduced at the Los Angeles
Auto Show, this technology, already deployed in the FCX Clarity
sedan, is reconfigured into a light-weight sports car, with an
ultra-low centre of gravity, powerful electric motor
performance, zero emission and low weight. ‘Green’ cars don’t
have to be dull!
 Of course Honda exhibited the new lines of the cars that have
already made a name for themselves in the past such as the
Accord, Civic, CR-V, Element, FCX Clarity, Odyssey, Pilot,
Ridgeline, S2000 and the fuel-efficient Fit. If you missed the
show this year, you can have a show of your own at Centre
Honda’s downtown showrooms.
By the way, the Honda Indy is scheduled for July
this year at Toronto’s CNE! This will be an event you want to
experience wide-awake! I thought I should mention this race.
"Vorsprung durch Technik" (Advance via Technology) is
fittingly established by the S4 sedan and Avant wagon; the
supercharged versions of the attractive A4 family. These are the
best-handling Audi family cars ever. They feature well over 300
horsepower, optimal 7-speed, dual-clutch S-Tronic
 transmission,
full-time four-wheel drive and Audi’s new ‘Sport’ differential
that automatically directs driving torque to the outer wheel
when cornering.
Another interesting entry was the R8 5.2, where not many owners
complained about the lack of power in the R8 coupe. But if 420
hp is not enough for you, wait for the 2010 R8 5.2 with a 5.2
litre V10 engine that cranks out 525 horses. Audi say it will
sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds and has a top
speed on the racetrack of 316 km/h.
The V10 has a lightweight aluminum body, ‘Quattro’ all-wheel
drive, contrasting side panels and innovative LED headlamps.
Otherwise, the R8 remains extraordinarily an exotic supercar
with every-day usability.
And then there was the Rabbit – oops, it is no longer called
that. The 6th generation Volkswagen Golf will arrive
in Canada this Fall . It will be slightly shorter and wider, but
its wheelbase and height remain the same. It will feature up to
nine airbags, including a driver’s knee bag, active head
restraints, a new DCC Adaptive Chassis Control consisting of
active shock absorbers that continually react to road and
driving conditions, plus a new ACC Automatic Distance Control, a
laser-based cruise control that maintains a set distance to the
vehicle ahead. It will however retain the existing 2.5 litre
inline five-cylinder engine with six-speed manual or six-speed
Tiptronic automatic transmissions. Another one to dream about!
And when you wake up, and feel like looking at a new car, visit
your local showrooms!
Pleasant dreams!
Dick Altermann
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