Event: Calgary Auto Show

I have been gone from this site for so long, it is almost like I am new to it. After finally finishing a degree and moving to Calgary, I can now slowly take over my own territory and cover most of Calgary’s action.

Being away from the scene has made me blunt and unfamiliar to many things car related, so let’s see if I still have what it takes. Last Saturday,I headed to the Stampede Park for  the Calgary International Auto & Truck Show.

The show started with mainstream automakers showing off their concept cars such as this 50th Anniversary Corvette Stingray by Chevrolet.

The view from the rear is particularly tasteful, showcasing a split rear window and incredibly sculpted rear fenders.

Mazda’s lack of sport examples was balanced by the Dempsey RX8. Weighing about 2300 lbs and boosting 425HP@5800rpm with 285 lb-ft@7600rpm makes this light like a go-kart.  Flying through apexes and  straight lines at 9000 rpm max. The new Emco Transaxle – 6spd sequential transmission makes this all possible. It was actually mounted just a few weeks before the show.

Real-time simulator hosted by Ford EcoBoost was the big hit for all ages.

Scion’s two-level display caught a lot of  attention from the attendants. It also served as a great introduction to the heavy jaw dropping selection of high end vehicles coming up.

BMW showcased a satin finished M5 concept. Housing a  twin-turbocharged 4.4L V8. The modified S63 engine in the new M5 (a version of the same power plant in the X5 M and X6) – will produce around 578 HP and 530 lb-ft paired to a 7spd M dual-clutch transmission with Drivelogic.

The new M5 gets a tuned and lowered M suspension and M-specific steering, as well as unique 20-inch forged alloy wheels wrapped in 265/35ZR20 tires. The car also features a new Active M rear differential with variable torque split.

Sadly the AMG SLS Benz was fenced off. This was the closest you could ever get, unless you won the lotto.

Next in line, Audi held a Royal like exposition of its new 2013 high-end line up. Subliminally all Audi’s were bowing down to its flagship V10 R8 Spyder.

The Jaguar XKR-S debuted imposing the most elegant and aggressive blend you could ever get in a Jaguar.

Sporting a supercharged AJ-V8 GEN III R engine that produces 543 HP and a peak torque of 502 lbs-ft, all paired with a face-lift…

…  and new rear badge.

At this point, I started to smell scents from perfumes and colognes that clearly stated that I was entering the executive zone for the lack of a better word (my language barrier starts to kick in now).

These people were buying $150,000+ cars on the spot.

This Ferrari 458 Italia stood out with its striking and well known rosso corsa color. It now belongs to some late 20’s fella whose mom bought for him. He was kind of disappointed that it was not flat black… He was assured it could get painted later down the road.

Turning up the “Super Car knob,” this Lamborghini Aventador was unveiled to the audience. After some Investigating Journalism  (or just ease dropping) I overheard that this might already be sold in Alberta.

Finally getting to the most exquisite and high priced platforms. The McLaren MP4-12C made its presence known on the stage housing a 3.8L V8 twin turbo engine.

Producing abundant about of torque throughout its 8500rpm; with 80% available below 2000rpm. Matched with a 7spd dual clutch Seamless Shift Gearbox (SSG) and a Formula 1-inspired rocker shift with predictive gear changes (AKA Pre-Cog Technology.)

The HTT PLETHORE LC-750 with a central longitudinal layout and a 7L Supercharged V8 boosting a mere 750 hp.

Price tag for this car is not available as every single unit is specifically made for each client. So no two units are ever identical. A real one of kind!

Finally TunerWorks made a key appearance as you can imagine, more on them once I hit up their store.

If you made it this far thanks for reading and I promise next time I will get better quality pictures. I am still in the process of getting a decent camera. Luis 😉