More Than 21,000 People Visited The AutoShow On Opening Day

At 21,021 people, it was the second-highest opening-day attendance in the history of the AutoShow in Toronto, bringing automotive enthusiasts, fans and families down to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for the return of the event after two pandemic-forced cancellations.

“Our pre-show ticket sales indicated people were anxious to get to back to the AutoShow, and that played out on opening day,” says Jason Campbell, General Manager of the AutoShow. “Whether people are starting their car-buying journey here or coming to indulge in the fantasy of their dream cars, we are seeing an appetite from people for a Show where they can get it all in one place.”

The AutoShow is renowned for its roster of exotic and luxury cars, and that increased by one on Saturday, with Grand Touring Automobiles adding a Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport to its display in Auto Exotica.

The Chiron is added to a collection of luxury and exotic cars at the AutoShow worth an estimated $100-million. There is plenty of automotive eye candy that will break the bank.

Toronto is a hot market for super cars, hyper cars and luxury vehicles. The AutoShow is responding to that demand by bringing in iconic marques like Lotus, Porsche, Aston Martin, Koenigsegg, Rolls-Royce, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Bentley and McLaren, displayed alongside 14 private collector cars in the Autostrada booth where a Spyker, previously owned by Jennifer Lopez, can also be found.

“We work hard at the Canadian International AutoShow to put a strong focus on the high-end vehicle market and showcase dream cars,” says Mr. Campbell. “While the AutoShow is a great place for people to begin shopping for their next family vehicle, it is also a place to put a spotlight on the pinnacle of automobiles.”

Among the bankbusters at the 2023 AutoShow are:

VALUED AT $10 MILLION OR MORE

• 1969 Porsche 917 Long Tail Chassis 005 — Rolling onto the track for the first time at historic Spa in 1969, this car captured the pole. It later crashed at the 1969 LeMans, and the wreckage was sent back to the Porsche factory where it just sat under a tarp. The car eventually landed in the ownership of Canadian collector David Seabrooke who led a painstaking restoration to get the car back to its original glory. (Cobble Beach, South Building, 700 Level)
• Project Arrow — An all-electric concept that was designed, engineered and built in Canada with parts made entirely in Canada. This car is the result of a significant collaboration of more than 50 partners and the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association. Its name is inspired by the famed Avro Arrow fighter jet. (Main Showroom, South Building, 800 Level)

VALUED AT $5 MILLION TO $9.9 MILLION

• 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari — Ferrari only produced 499 units of this supercar, the successor of the 288 GTO, F40, F50 and Enzo. Hitting 100 km/h in 2.6 seconds, the LaFerrari has a 6.3L V12 engine and 120kW electric motor that push a combined 930 horsepower. The one showcased at the AutoShow is finished in Bianco Fuji Opaco with colour-matched FXX wheels. (Auto Exotica, South Building, 800 Level)
• Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport — Fast and agile, the Chiron Pur Sport is a cutting edge Bugatti, designed to tackle the most challenging curves. It has been engineered to improve acceleration and elasticity —  the Pur Sport accelerates in sixth gear from 60 to 120 km/h in 4.4 seconds, which is 41 per cent faster than the Chiron, and it unleashes its full power at speeds of 350 km/h. (Auto Exotica, South Building, 800 Level)

VALUED $1 MILLION TO $4.9 MILLION

• 1959 Porsche Speedster — This Speedster is one of only 14 built with a 1.6L four-overhead-cam Fuhrman 692/3 engine built for racing. It’s a lightweight Cabriolet body distinguished by its cut-down, raked and removable windshield. (Cobble Beach, South Building, 700 Level)
• 1961 Mercedes 300 SL Roadster – Only 250 of these were built in 1961, and this one has been in the possession of the same owner for more than 35 years. It has factory DB40 black exterior with factory 1088 red leather interior. (Main Showroom, North Building, 300 Level)
• 1964 Porsche 904 — The beautifully aerodynamic 904 was designed by Ferry Porsche’s son Butzi as part of a focus on sports car racing after Porsche left F1 in 1962. While designed around the 911’s flat-six engine, nearly all 904s are powered by an updated version of the 2.0-L four-cam, flat four from the RSK (718). It has been racking up race wins through the years all over the world, and won the 2.0-litre GT Championship in 2004. (Cobble Beach, South Building, 700 Level)
• 1987 Porsche 959 —With sophisticated engineering and aerodynamically optimized bodywork that paved the way for Porsches to come, the 959 demonstrated the cutting edge of automotive design. (Cobble Beach, South Building, 700 Level)
• 2006 Porsche Carrera GT — A street-legal production supercar built between 2004 and 2006, it was developed from a stillborn Le Mans car that pushed technological boundaries. Despite this racing heritage, it was undeniably a road car, with a luxurious interior, Targa-style roof and carbon-fibre rear frame. (Cobble Beach, South Building, 700 Level)
• 2008 Bugatti Veyron — Once owned by boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, the Veyron is a benchmark in supercar design. Predecessor of the Chiron, it has an 8.0L W16 engine offering 1,001 horsepower. Hitting 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds, it has a top speed of 402 km/h. (Auto Exotica, South Building, 800 Level)
• 2008 Lamborghini Reventon — One of only 20 coupes produced, this Reventon has a mere 106 kilometres on it. It boasts a top speed of 330 km/h from a 6.5L V12 engine. The bodywork is entirely carbon fibre with a satin grey finish. (Auto Exotica, South Building, 800 Level)
• 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder — Porsche’s flagship road-going supercar, it is effectively the successor to the Carrera GT. It is also the first hybrid supercar, with primary power coming from a race-bred 4.6L V8 engine and two electric motors for a combined 877 horsepower and a top speed of 344 km/h. (Cobble Beach, South Building, 700 Level)
• 2017 Ford GT — A twin-turbocharged 3.6L V6 powers this car to a top speed of 320 km/h. This particular GT was the first customer factory delivery/pick up in the world, and the first “Gulf” blue paint job in Canada. (Auto Exotica, South Building, 800 Level)
• 2019 McLaren Senna — One of only 500 produced, the Senna has a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 engine, 789 horsepower and a top speed of 340 km/h. It is named in honour of the late Ayrton Senna and dedicated to his three F1 world championship wins with McLaren between 1988 and 1993. (Auto Exotica, South Building, 800 Level)
• 2021 McLaren Elva — The fifth addition to the McLaren Ultimate Series — alongside the F1, P1, Senna and Speedtail — the Elva is powered by a 4.0L twin turbo V8 engine pumping out 804 horsepower. With a top speed of 327 km/h, it hits 100 km/h in 2.6 seconds. (Auto Exotica, South Building, 800 Level)
• 2021 Koenigsegg Regera — Boasting a 5.0L V8 twin-turbo engine with three electric motors for a combined 1,500 horsepower, the Regera reaches 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds. (Auto Exotica, South Building, 800 Level)
• 2022 Ford GT Mark II — Only 45 GT Mark II cars were produced, and two of them are at the AutoShow. This one is decked out in Holman Moody Race livery, powered by 3.5L twin-turbo V6 engine that pushes 700 horsepower and a top speed of 340 km/h. (Auto Exotica, South Building, 800 Level)
• 2022 Ford GT Mark II — A special one-off livery commemorates one of the most important original GT40s. It has a twin-turbocharged 3.5L/700 horsepower EcoBoost V6 engine and seven-speed dual clutch transmission. (Main Showroom, North Building, 300 Level)
• 2022 Alfa Romeo F1 C42 Showcar — The first-ever official F1 team show car from a current F1 season, the C42 is part of a new generation of F1 cars built under new regulations. This showcar dons the red-and-white liveries and features the sponsorship branding from the racecar driven by Valtteri Bottas. (Auto Exotica, South Building, 800 Level)

For more information or to buy tickets, please visit autoshow.ca.