It’s AutoShow Time!

By Norm Rosen

As the chill of mid-February spreads across North America, enthusiasts of all ages look forward to the annual expositions of automotive excellence… it’s AutoShow time, and the editorial team at Powerboating.com had the opportunity to attend the Media Day preview at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto – one of the largest events of this type in North America.

This year’s CIAS, presented by The Toronto Star, runs from February 13 – 22, 2026, with more than 650,000 square feet of exhibits filling the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

More than 500 vehicles from 40 manufacturers comprise this 52nd annual edition of the CIAS, with exhibits filling the North and South buildings of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Visitors can participate in test drives as more than 50 vehicles are available at the indoor and outdoor test tracks – it’s a spectacular opportunity to slide behind the wheel of a wide range of today’s most popular vehicles.

Check out the schedules, read about the show highlights, purchase tickets, and reserve your test drive adventures at www.autoshow.ca , follow the CIAS on LinkedIn, see the highlights on Instagram @autoshowca , on X @autoshowcanada , and on Facebook /autoshowcanada

Here is a montage of some of the coolest vehicles on display at the show… curated for our niche audience.

Production SUV’s, trucks, family vehicles, and luxury / performance models.

Bugatti

The supreme elegance of the Bugatti Mistral W 16 is the showstopper at the Grand Touring Automobiles exhibit on level 200 of the MTCC North Building.

CIAS press releases describe this stunning vehicle: “The Bugatti Mistral, the fastest open-top production car in the world, achieves 453.91 km/h (282 mph). Handcrafted in Molsheim, France, this two-seat mid-engine roadster is the final model powered by Bugatti’s legendary 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16 engine, producing 1,600 PS (1,578 hp) via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Only 99 units exist.”
“Its aerodynamic design is strikingly unique, with four-stripe front lights and twin arrow-shaped rear LEDs pointing to the illuminated Bugatti emblem. The interior blends Chiron-inspired luxury with exclusive touches, including a sculptural amber gear lever featuring the iconic “Dancing Elephant” by Rembrandt Bugatti.”

Also on display at the booth are the Aston Martin Valhalla, the Koenigsegg Jesko, Lamborghini Temerario, Bentley Flying Spur Black Edition, Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge, and three 2026 Land Rover models: the Range Rover Sport P360 S, the Range Rover P400 SE Short Wheelbase, and the Defender 110 P400 X-Dynamic SE with the optional Urban Widetrack kit.

For more information on the full line of luxury vehicles available through Grand Touring Automobiles, please visit: https://www.grandtouringautos.com/

FORD / Lincoln

The 2026 Ford Expedition SUV, on display at the Canadian International AutoShow.

The 2026 Ford Expedition – a full-sized family vehicle that can tow RVs and boats.

The sporty SUV – Ford’s 2026 Bronco, shown here under a projected image of the Mustang EV.

The compact pickups – Ford Ranger and Maverick for 2026.

The spectacular Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC – a 5.2L V8 powered performance machine with dual-clutch transmission, had its Canadian debut at the CIAS.

Lincoln Navigator – full size luxury SUV.

For more information on the full range of Ford vehicles, please visit: https://www.ford.ca/ 

General Motors / GMC / Chevrolet

General Motor’s luxury line brought a trio of beauties to the CIAS, including the Cadillac Lyriq …

The Cadillac Vistiq, 

And the Cadillac Escalade IQ

Cadillac Formula 1 Team

Chevy Colorado ZR2 with Go Overland rooftop tent – an excellent way to enjoy camping on the off-road trails.

Chevy Silverado 2500 ZR2 Bison

GMC – AT4HD

For more information on the General Motors vehicles, please visit: https://www.gm.ca/en/home/brands.html

Hyundai

The Hyundai Palisade was selected AJAC “North American Utility Vehicle of the Year.”

For more information on the full range of Hyundai vehicles, please visit: https://www.hyundaicanada.com/

Nissan

Nissan displayed a wide range of ICE, EV and plug-in hybrid vehicles, including Pathfinder, Rogue, Kicks and upscale Infinity models.

For more information on Nissan vehicles, please visit: https://www.nissan.ca/ 

RAM Trucks / Stellantis Vehicles

The Stellantis team brought an incredible array of vehicles to this year’s Canadian International AutoShow, including the very popular Camp Jeep test drive course (featured in the lead photo for this article), and some of the most powerful RV and boat tow vehicles on the market.

We are slated to test drive the latest Hemi-powered RAM trucks after the AutoShow – stay tuned for a very special report!

For more information on the Stellantis / RAM and Jeep vehicles, please visit: https://www.stellantis.com/en

Subaru

The 2026 Subaru Forrester invites you to discover “uncommon” at the display on level 200 of the MTCC North Building.

For more information on Subaru vehicles, please visit: https://www.subaru.ca

Toyota

Toyota displayed a wide range of SUVs in ICE, EV, and Hybrid models.

The 2026 Toyota Capstone is a stunning example of family SUV design.

For more information on Toyota vehicles, please visit: https://www.toyota.ca

Volvo

Volvo’s XC90 Plug-In Hybrid – proud vehicle partner of Canada Snowboard.

For more information on Volvo vehicles, please visit: https://www.volvocars.com/en-ca/

Prototypes and Special Events

The Project Arrow Vector is a 2nd generation prototype that is AI formed and 3D printed, with polymer and aluminum chassis, powered by an 850 H.P. all-electric powertrain, with 550 km range and advanced cyberstructure connected level 3 autonomous functionality. This leading edge technology is “built in Canada, for the world”.

For more information on Project Arrow, please visit the website: https://www.projectarrow.ca/

Markham Indy – August 14 – 16, 2026

With the City of Toronto hosting World Cup soccer, the annual Indy race has moved to Markham, about 30 minutes northeast of downtown Toronto. This exciting new venue for the “Toronto” area Indy race will be the site for the next few years, and the venue and surrounding area promise a wide range of advantages for race fans.

Are you ready for the newest racing venue in Canada to host the Honda Dealers Indy this summer?

For more information please visit the website: https://www.hondaindy.com/news/744-ontario-honda-dealers-indy-moves-to-city-of-markham-under-a-multi-year-agreement

Canadian Tire Motorsports Park

One of North America’s best venues for auto and motorcycle racing, the CTMP has brought a selection of high performance machines to the Canadian International AutoShow.

One of the world’s most famous racing cars – the McLaren #11, is on display at the CIAS.

Here’s what Vic Elford saw from the driver’s seat in the McLaren…

All classes of motorsports racing take to the track – check out the Motomaster #9 race car – on display at CIAS.

Castrol presents the Victoria Day Speedfest on the May 15 – 17, 2026 weekend.

The Chevrolet Grand Prix brings the thrill of racing to the Canadian Tire Motorsports Track July 10 – 12, 2026.

Superbikes take the course on August 7 – 9, 2026 for the Superbike Double Header.

For more information on the Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, please visit: https://canadiantiremotorsportpark.com/

Classics and Vintage Vehicles on display at the Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance Exhibit…

A magnificent array of classic and unique vehicles are on display in the CIAS “vault” on level 100 in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building.

If you have a penchant for the grand era of automobile technology, you MUST plan to visit the 2026 Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance, taking place on the weekend of September 18 – 20, 2026, on the picturesque shores of Georgian Bay, Ontario. For more information, please visit: https://www.cobblebeachconcours.com/about

Some of the most iconic vehicles of the 20th century are on display in the Cobble Beach Concours D’Elegance exhibit…

You can’t miss the elegance of this 1927 Duesenberg Model X, from the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum, Auburn IN. Discover more about this wonderful destination here: https://automobilemuseum.org/

The 1924 Delage GL Skiff Torpedo – body by Labourdette, owned by Mary and Ted Stahl, Stahl’s Motors and Music Experience, Chesterfield, MI. Learn more about this fascinating venue here: https://www.stahlsauto.com/

Canadian Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson custom ordered this 1963 Buick – based on the LeSabre, with a Wildcat grill and 340 h.p. 425 Cu. In. V8 engine.

The McLaughlin-Buick on display in “The Vault” reflects the elegance of the automobiles of the early 1900s.

Autostrada Magazine displayed a selection of some of the most exotic sports cars in the world at the 2026 CIAS.

Barrett Jackson brought some of the most treasured rides in the world to this year’s show.

From the 1906 Russell Model B to the sports cars of the 1950’s, ’60s and ’70s, you will see many spectacular vehicles in the CIAS display “The Vault”.

Additional Attractions

Lego brought the Las Vegas Cadillac – a hot pink creation consisting of 418,556 Lego “bricks” that tips the scales at just over 4,600 pounds, goes 12 miles per hour, and took a team of builders 3,945 hours to complete. VIPs posed in the vehicle on Media Day – Lego staff said “if any of the parts come off, we can put them back together… “

The Hot Wheels Mercedes Benz is on display at the Hot Wheels Walmart exhibit, where you can purchase your Hot Wheels dream cars on-site.

Who you gonna call?

Ghostbusters! – see the Ecto 1 on display in the Oblivion exhibit at the CIAS – it’s the most familiar of the one-of-a-kind vehicles at the show, and a crowd favourite!

All this, and MUCH MORE – at the 2026 Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto, February 13 – 22, 2026. See this year’s coolest vehicles at https://autoshow.ca/