First, it’s better than you think.
No, it’s not New York, Shanghai, Geneva, or even Toronto, but the Edmonton Motorshow is in town this weekend (April 15-17 at the Northlands Expo) and it’s worth attending for the following 10 reasons, all of which have four wheels.
1. Lexus LFA
Remember the Richard Hammond’s white LFA spaceship from his Top Gear review?
Yes, the LFA in Edmonton this weekend is the exact same car. Not just one that looks similar, but the one and only. Hair gel was on the headrest, a booster seat was in place, and teeth whitening strips were in the glovebox. It was the real deal.
You may remember a matte black LFA from my coverage of the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, or from Tangential Treatise #1, but you’ve never heard the 4.8L V10 pry your skin from your flesh (at least not on these pages). Until now.
2. Ferrari 458 Italia
Next to the LFA, the $100k+ difference in price is obvious. The attention to detail on the 458 is tremendous by most standards, but the LFA sweats the deets like no other. In person, the 458 is impossibly low and wide, but I’m not sure that it’s quite as attractive as previous generations of Ferrari mid-engined V8s. Actually, I’m very sure.
Plus, I have Enzo Ferrari on my side.
3. BMW 1 M Coupe
It’s easy to criticize this for not being a “real M car” because of the lack of bespoke engine, but to do so would be to miss out on a return to simplicity for the brand. Lighter, wider, and lower than the already exceptional BMW 135i, the 335hp 1M is something else. Even in Extra Pulpy Orange.
4. Ford F-150 SVT Raptor CrewCab 6.2L
Admittedly, I’d take a car over a truck every day of the week and twice on Sunday, but the Raptor leaves my mandible agape and my oral exocrine glands pumping out saliva faster than I can swallow it. It’s just so fucking cool.
5. Scion iQ
The Toyota iQ has been on sale in Europe for 3 or 4 years now, but in the next 12 months it will find its way into Canadian garages under the newly-introduced Scion brand. Scion, for the uninitiated, is Toyota’s youth brand that has previously been confined to The States. For 2011, the xB, tC, and xD models will be for sale in Canada as well.
I’ll actually have the Scion xD in the CarEnvy Garage next week so keep an eye on our Twitter feed for early impressions.
6. Fiat 500
The obligatory iPhone shot.
It’s cheap, it’s cheery, and it’s going to be sold in special showroom-within-a-showroom Chrysler/Dodge dealerships in Canada. Canadian models are starting at only $15,995. It’s the perfect first car, but is likely to be ostracized by macho alpha males who equate pick-up trucks with Heget, the Egyptian frog-goddess of fertility. Shame, it’s a very fun little car.
The only minus, no TwinAir engine.
7. Range Rover Evoque
The Little Rangie That Could is quite the looker. The Edmonton Motorshow hasn’t been graced with the 3-door model, but the 5-door has great detailing and is sure to sell well in crossover-obsessed Canada. There is even a surprising amount for back seat passengers and the all-glass roof will be a must-have option.
8. Honda Civic Si concept (2012)
Thinly-veiled and overly conservative, the next Civic isn’t going to win any converts if this concept is any indication (which it is), but it shouldn’t alienate too many current customers either. Unfortunately, with a rising Hyundai/Kia and a resurgent Ford, good enough just isn’t.
9. Electric Garage Auction
This year, Electric Garage has assembled some 120 cars for auction. This adds an completely different dynamic to the show and features classic American cars as well as newer British, German, and Italian metal. The selection is as diverse as it is captivating. The gavel slams down starting Friday at 6:30pm.
10. All proceeds go to charity
The Edmonton Motorshow is a non-for-profit organization. Last year, they raised over $110,000 for Special Olympics. So while you’re fawning over the latest metal, you’re also supporting your community!
Have a great time and let us know what you thought of the show in the comments section or on Twitter.
[Photo credits: author]