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| Gold-wrapped Kia EV9 electric crossover vehicle (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada 2024) |
As is often the case, the warmer weather and the ample sunlight prove extremely inviting in 2024. With the season nearing in an end in Canada, I personally reflect on several months of satisfying events with automotive-centric entertainment. While occurring in early June, the 2024 Georgian College Auto Show captured the spirit for what would be experienced during the summer.
First of all, I wish to share how this year’s summer had done a great deal to override a very unpleasant spring. The thing I’ve realized as I have lived more than four decades on this planet is bad things can happen to me but very few people actually care. In truth, we all go through moments of disharmony and for me I attempt to remain aware of this when I go through my own. I regret that this is not the attitude I receive from some people in this world I attract who are too selfish and ungrateful. At least one person brilliantly demonstrated that to me at the start of this year. The one moment of relief in times of trouble is good and bad people show themselves where I gain comfort from the former and grow stronger casting off the latter traitorous individuals and devote my support to others more worthy. Automobiles have been one of my strongest loves I’ve acquired over my lifetime and it had brought me a sense of happiness and pleasure that has proven dependable. It had been my hope that my endeavour to share this interest has captured how grand this topic is to me.
A long-running part of my love affair with cars is the Georgian College Auto Show. First attending the outdoor show in 1997 part of a high school trip, memories of that time involved seeing a Toyota Prius hybrid exhibited several years before the car went on sale in Canada. Another vivid recollection was being crushed against a counter in the General Motors display as I was one of many students attending the show wanting a poster of the newly-released fifth generation Chevrolet Corvette appearing in Sebring Silver Metallic (successfully seizing one for myself with the combination of persistence and politeness). While remembering the press of the crowd from 1997, it’s been unfortunate that brochures and posters have become less prevalent at auto shows in recent years. However, the tradeoff in 2024 is the prevalence of information over a WIFI connection and easy access to photography.
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| 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander and Outlander PHEV (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada 2024) |
When you arrive to the Georgian College Auto Show, you are quickly made aware of how this event differs from other auto shows. Not does it stand out by assembling new cars of major automakers in an outdoor environment, this car show is made possible through the efforts of students with Georgian College’s Automotive Marketing program representing various brands as well as operating the general aspects of staging the event. The experience for visitors is a splendid opportunity to get close to late model cars such as GMC HUMMER EV SUT, the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Volkswagen Golf R without any salesperson pressure found at a dealership. Additionally, the inclusion of live music, food concessions and other family-friendly activities created a fun festival atmosphere for a $10 admission price.
Although the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto was staged as a fantastic event in 2024, the event involved the conspicuous absence of some major auto brands. Honda was among the marques that missed the big show this year but their presence was seen on the Georgian College property. Surely aided in no small part to the campus’ closeness to the car company’s Alliston plant in proximity as well as support. This offered Canadian auto show audiences in the area to see the all-new fully electric Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX.
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| Acura ZDX electric crossover with hood and doors opened (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada 2024) |
In accordance to the appearance of a modern auto show, the products from Honda were only two examples of an extensive assortment of electrified vehicle options that were on display on the Georgian College campus. Among the battery-electric offerings presented for the 2024 Georgian College Auto Show was the before-mentioned GMC HUMMER EV, Subaru Solterra, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Volkswagen ID.4, Porsche Taycan, Tesla Model X and the Lucid Air. At Kia, the new EV9 crossover appeared positively radiant with gold-wrapped bodywork in celebration of its earned accolades including the 2024 World Car of the Year and the 2024 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. Another battery-powered recent arrival was the 2024 FIAT 500e RED that presents blend of classic and modern touches in a chic compact package. This past year, I have read a number of unfavourable stories on the existence of electric vehicles and while I would agree some automakers pledging such a radical shift to fully electrified product lineups could have been an overly optimistic objective but it’s also ignorant to deny electric vehicles their place in propelling the quickly approaching future for automotive transportation.
In addition to the mass-produced electric vehicles at the 2024 Georgian College Auto Show was a special student project. Using a 1972 Volkswagen Westfalia camper van as a platform, the group of more than 30 Georgian College students from the campus’ various programs including engineering and technologies as well as interior design refurbishing it into an electric conversion. According to the specifications published by the college, the powertrain of the electrified Volkswagen camper incorporates a HyPer 9 electric motor generating an equivalent of 120 horsepower mated with a multi-gear transmission. Equipped with six 24-volt batteries, the vehicle has a single charge range of 100 miles. The electric conversion is combined with a tastefully redone interior and a custom exterior wrap.
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| Georgian College student-constructed fully electric Volkswagen Westfalia T2 bus (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada 2024) |
While electric vehicles are prominent at the auto show, those wanting to explore some great automobiles to be powered internal combustion was delighted at a Porsche test track as a trio of 911 Carrera sports cars driven by professional drivers took show attendees through a tire-squealing adventure on a makeshift course. The Porsche 911s served as a predictably reliable draw as lineups of up to dozens of show-goers remained throughout the afternoon I was visiting the event. Porsches remaining on stationary display included the 911 Turbo S, 718 Spyder and the Macan GTS.
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| Porsche 911 on test track (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada 2024) |
Other standout examples of new car performance with internal combustion engines can be defined by exactly what type of performance you have in mind. For a traditional taste of high-speed enjoyment, a 2024 Jaguar F-Type Convertible P575 R75 AWD is a vehicle celebrating both 75 years of sports cars from the prestigious British brand and is assumed to be one of Jaguar’s last V8-powered performance machines. The British Racing Green painted convertible was parked beside a more eclectic exotic called the Himalaya Series 88 Mariner. Based on a 1964 Land Rover Series I, the Himalaya Series 88 Mariner is heavily-upgraded for contemporary off-roading with modern instruments, audio equipment as well as a 430-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 LS3 engine. Both the Jaguar and Himalaya were brought to the auto show by Toronto-based exotic vehicle retailer Grand Touring Automobiles with a collective price tag exceeding $500,000 Canadian.
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| 2024 Jaguar F-Type Convertible P575 R75 AWD with Himalaya Series 88 Mariner in background (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada 2024) |
Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive athleticism has been popular for decades as the car make was a pioneer for the fusion of car sensibility with truck-like versatility. The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness is a more aggressive trail conqueror featuring more rugged suspension and tires as well as a 9.3-inch (23.6-centimeter) ground clearance.
In the name of all-out utility, several new pickup trucks revealed how they are adopting to modern trends. The 2025 Ram 1500 (appearing at the auto show as a Big Horn crew cab 4x4 with the Night Edition package) introduces premium performance with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 Hurricane powerplant. With a Total list price of $79,738 Canadian, this 2025 Ram 1500 Big Horn crew cab brawn is accompanied with an 8-way power adjustable driver seat, heated front seats and steering wheel, a 9-speaker Alpine stereo system, wireless charging pad as well as power adjustable pedals.
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| 2025 Ram 1500 Big Horn crew cab with Night Edition Package (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada 2024) |
At the Mazda exhibit, the MX-5 continues to serve as a homage to classic convertible roadsters. A 2024 Mazda MX-5 and MX-5 RF hard top convertible model was joined by a first generation MX-5 Miata at the show’s tent advertising the awesome, enduring presence as an affordable, fun sports car. Being the 35th anniversary to opening sales of the Mazda MX-5 Miata, a farther celebration for the car was carried out in the Georgian College Auto Show’s Show and Shine area. Providing a change of scenery for all-new showroom vehicles, the Show and Shine welcomed participants to bring their classic and collector cars for admiration. This exhibition presented a wide assortment of gems including a Ford Model A street rod, a 1995 Chevrolet Corvette Indianapolis 500 Pace Car replica, the 1968 Oldsmobile “Wooly Bully” Cutlass, a Volkswagen T3 Westfalia Camper van, 1998 Ford F-150 Foose Edition crew cab pickup truck and a Hummer H1. There were also a couple Japanese-sourced Kei cars such as a Honda ACT SDX 4WD mini truck and a charming 1991 Nissan Figaro brought to the show by a very proud owner. As for the Mazda MX-5, the Miata of Muskoka car club converged during the Saturday afternoon with examples of every generation of the roadster.
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| Gathering of mostly Mazda Miata representing Miatas of Muskoka (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada 2024) |
In addition to local car clubs, the 2024 Georgian College Auto Show was graced by the presence of a regional celebrity. Brampton Batman appeared for the weekend alongside his skilfully created replica of the Batmobile from the 1989 movie. Not his first appearance of the event, Stephen Lawrence has spent more than a decade donning the popular super hero persona to the delight of fans. In a world containing so too much unfairness and apparent injustice, it should be encouraging to see the Dark Knight proving to be such an attraction for show attendees; especially the younger audiences.
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| Brampton Batman with 1989 movie Batmobile (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada 2024) |
Going back to my first visit to the Georgian College Auto Show back in 1997, I approached one vehicle at the 2024 edition of the event with a special enthusiasm. Seeing the car on display at the 2024 Canadian International AutoShow in February, the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Convertible made for a wildly attractive sight outside of the General Motors exhibition tent. I understand the thoughts of those who have been displeased by the creation of an electrified Corvette but as a machine that thrives when it explores new heights in performance potential it seems unfair to not welcome such exploration. Unlike the hybrid sports car’s appearance in Toronto earlier in the year, the Corvette E-Ray present at Georgian College was unlocked allowing me to sit behind the wheel. The moment or two I spent in the driver’s seat of the vehicle retailing for $192,293 Canadian served as a pleasureful sensation that fed my senses.
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| 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Convertible (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada 2024) |
Leaving the 2024 Georgian College Auto Show, the early June event fulfilled me, and I would imagine every attendee, with a memorable blend of automotive education as well as pure enjoyment of what greatness wheels bring us. For a year that has started poorly for me, it was worth going back to school to relearn my automotive passions.
A full digital album of images that can also be found on Flickr.
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