Top 5 Luxury SUVs at the 2015 Vancouver International Auto Show

The 2015 Vancouver International Autoshow is bigger than ever before this year. Now in its 95th year, the show boasts 25 per cent more floor space and even more vehicles at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

If you’re in the market for a new luxury SUV, here are my Top 5 Luxury SUV Picks for you to visit before the show shuts down this Sunday at 6pm.

2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport

The new Land Rover Discovery Sport makes its regional debut at this year’s Vancouver autoshow. It stands out from its posh compact-ute rivals for one simple and moderately compelling reason—it can actually go off-road, at least sometimes.

Photo by Andrew Ling

Based on the same platform as the wildly popular Range Rover Evoque, the Discovery Sport can’t match the ground clearance of its LR4, Range Rover, or Range Rover Sport siblings for pure wilderness-challenging ability.

However, the Disco Sport’s 8.3 inches of ground clearance is more than respectable for the occasional jaunt to the campgrounds or the country cottage. Land Rover also claims approach, departure, and breakover angles of 25, 31, and 31 degrees for the Sport, plus a wading depth of 23.6 inches.

In other words, that’s better offroadability than your typical BMW X3, Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLK competitors.

Land Rover is also setting the Discovery Sport against its German rivals with the option of “5+2″ seating, with the ability to carry up to 7 passengers. No other compact luxury SUV offers such a feature. The “+2” is essentially a child-only fold-down third row that slides beneath the cargo floor when not in use.

2016 BMW X5 M / X6 M

The BMW X5 has the distinction of being not only one of the first true luxury SUVs, but also one of the first seriously fast SUVs.

Now BMW is launching the second iteration of the X5 M, which is based on the third-generation X5, alongside its less practical X6 M Sport Activity Coupe sibling.

With a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 rated at 567 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, the X5 M (and X6 M) is even quicker to trot than its predecessor with its official 0 to 100 km/hr sprint taking just over four seconds. That’s faster than many pure two seater sports cars!

Like the X6 M, the X5 M wears massive 285/35 tires up front and 325/30 rubber in the rear; 21-inch wheels are standard equipment.

As is usual in the latest BMW M models, the driver can fettle with the adjustable shocks, steering, transmission program, and throttle mapping through multiple modes using dedicated buttons for each.

Inside, the X5 M and X6 M both feature bespoke M-specific bits from the steering wheel and seats to the onscreen M Drive menu.

The exteriors of both vehicles also wear unique M front and rear styling cues, setting them apart from their more pedestrian non-M models.

2015 Lexus NX200t / NX300h

And now for something smaller (and more affordable).

With the new Lexus NX, Lexus is looking for a younger demographic than its RX mid-sized SUV.

The mid-sized RX is too big and pricey to attack the growing number of compact luxo utes and this is where the NX fits in.

Instead of the rounded and conservative silhouette associated with the RX, the NX breaks through with its brand-identifying Lexus “spindle” grille and aggressive body creases and folds.

There are two models available, the NX200t and the NX300h, available with front or four-wheel drive.

The 200t marks Lexus’s first turbocharged gas engine, in this case a 235-hp 2.0-liter four. It also will be available in mildly sportier F Sport guise.

The 300h is a hybrid with a gasoline 2.5-liter four cylinder engine and an electric motor combining to deliver 194 horsepower. You can even test drive the Lexus NX300h yourself in the Green Drive program running outside the Vancouver Convention Centre till this Sunday.

2015 Infiniti QX80 Limited

The Infiniti QX80 was substantially updated for the 2014 model year and remains as one of the few full-sized SUVs on the market with the ability to tow up to 8,500 lbs while still being able to transport 7 or 8 passengers in luxury.

Recently introduced is the QX80 in a new “Limited” trim level, offering subtle exterior upgrades and a sophisticated interior evocative of an executive boardroom.

Available in limited numbers only starting from May 2015 and exclusively as a 7-passenger model, the QX80 Limited’s exterior features dark finished, 22-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, dark chromed exterior trim, and unique stainless steel running board caps with rubber grips.

This vehicle certainly takes the word “premium” to another level.

Photo courtesy of Infiniti Canada

The luxurious interior includes semi-aniline Truffle Brown leather appointments with an exclusive quilted pattern, open pore matte finish ash wood trim, an Ultrasuede headliner and pillars, leather-appointed grab handles and speaker grilles, unique floor and trunk mats, and unique silver switchgear trim on the centre stack.

2016 Audi Q7

Among three-row vehicles, few can match the Q7 in terms of style. It is as chic as it is spacious.

The 2016 Audi Q7 debuts as an all-new vehicle with Audi’s next generation styling and impressive weight savings to the tune of 717 pounds. This should pay dividends when it comes to fuel economy and performance.

Even though the 2016 Q7 is virtually the same height as the old one, clever visual tricks like the matte-aluminum trim surface between the front and rear wheels, the gently tapering roofline, and the powerful fender flares make it look lower, wider, and longer. In fact, the new Q7 looks more wagon-like than ever.

The low-rider vibe isn’t merely visual though. Audi’s relocation of the engine lower in the chassis has yanked the Q7’s center of gravity down by a claimed 2 inches, helping to improve its driving dynamics.

Audi has been well known for its impressive use of the latest lighting technology and the 2016 Q7 continues on with that trend. The headlights’ LED daytime running lamps now form pairs of arrow-shaped elements, as do the LED tail lights out back.

As you would expect with most luxury SUVs, there is a load of the latest active safety technology to compliment the latest in driving dynamic enhancements.

Carried over from Audi’s sports cars are systems such as a brake-based torque-vectoring system and an electronically controlled center differential. The latter can vary the all-wheel-drive system’s torque split from the standard 40/60-percent front-to-rear to 70/30 or 15/85 as conditions dictate.

Optional rear-wheel steering promises to enhance stability at higher speeds by slightly turning the rear wheels in concert with the fronts. At low speeds, the rear wheels turn opposite to the fronts to greatly improve parking lot agility on such a large vehicle.

Best green vehicles at 2015 Vancouver International Auto Show

2015 Vancouver International Auto Show
Visitors to the 2015 Vancouver Auto Show are treated to a wide assortment vehicles, including many green models. Photos by Benjamin Yong.

The 95th Vancouver International Auto Show (VIAS) is happening right now at the Vancouver Convention Centre, and is quite literally bigger, and better, than ever before. Exhibition space has grown by one-quarter this year, to 290,000 square feet, and for the first time the displays spill over to the upstairs ballroom. Fittingly, since it takes place in B.C., VIAS features a heavy focus on alternative-energy automobiles fuelled by diesel, electricity and even hydrogen. These are the green vehicles you’ll want to see.

Toyota Fuel Cell Vehicle Concept

Toyota Fuel Cell Vehicle Concept

You may have heard about Toyota’s production hydrogen fuel cell vehicle already on sale in Japan and about to hit the roads in the United States later this year. While no Canadian expansion plans have been announced yet, Toyota debuted the Fuel Cell Concept (FCV) that provided the inspiration for the Mirai for the first time in Canada.

The Mirai was actually tested in Yellowknife in -30 C weather to evaluate cold-weather effectiveness. The space-age looking sedan creates electricity by utilizing a chemical reaction between oxygen and hydrogen, refuels in about the same time as a conventional gasoline-powered car and can drive up to 500 kilometres on a single tank.

Audi A3 Sportback e-Tron

Audi A3 Sportback e-Tron

The A3 Sportback e-Tron, Audi’s first plug-in hybrid, made its first regional appearance at VIAS.  Besides a few badges and some minor exterior tweaks to the grille and rear bumper, this hybrid looks remarkably similar to the standard version. Power is provided via a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine combined with a 75-kilowatt electric motor making 204 net horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

Volkswagen Golf Sportwagon TDI Clean Diesel

Volkswagen Golf Sportwagon TDI Clean Diesel

VW is in Vancouver to prove that even with the crossover SUV craze taking place across North America, wagon’s haven’t quite called it quits. It’s been a good year for the Golf, reaping several industry awards, and the Sportwagon should continue that trend. The diesel powertrain provides plenty of torque and achieves great fuel economy rated at 7.5 L/100 km in city driving at 5.6 L/100 km on the highway.

2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Although Hyundai also has a plug-in version coming, it is the standard Sonata Hybrid making the trip to Vancouver. As part of the redesign, the engine is a smaller and more efficient 2.0 litre vs. the outgoing 2.4. The battery pack has a 13 per cent bigger capacity, and now fits under the trunk floor so the rear seats can fold 60/40.

Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell

In addition to the Hybrid, the majority of the public had their first chance to get an up-close look at the 2015 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell, the first mass-produced hydrogen-powered vehicle available to Canadians. Available to limited consumers through a lease program, the first lucky owners are a local couple living in Surrey.

Porsche 918 Spyder at 2015 Vancouver International Auto Show

Porsche 918 Spyder

Some visitors to Porsche Centre Langley have already experienced the spectacle that is the $1.3-million Porsche 918 Spyder in person. The hybrid supercar, one of three sold in B.C., uses two electric motors and a 4.6-litre V8 engine to achieve a top speed of 340 km/h.   

The 2015 Vancouver International Auto Show runs until March 29. More pictures below:

2015 Vancouver International Auto Show entrance

Stephen Beatty vice president, Corporate Toyota Canada

Toyota Fuel Cell Vehicle Concept rear

Toyota Fuel Cell Vehicle Concept side

Audi A3 Sportback e-Tron rear

Audi A3 Sportback e-Tron interior

BMW i3 and i8 at 2015 Vancouver International Auto Show

2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid rear

2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid cutaway

Hyundai Blue Drive

OpenRoad Volkswagen has German themed “unearthing” ceremony

vw-unearthing-mayor-corrigan

Maria Strenstrom (President & CEO of Volkswagen Canada), Christian Chia (President & CEO of OpenRoad Auto Group), and Derek Corrigan (Mayor, City of Burnaby), officially kicked off the groundbreaking ceremony of OpenRoad Volkswagen last Tuesday.

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vw-unearthing-candy-meister

Local VW enthusiasts and neighbours were on hand at #VWUnearthing to enjoy German themed treats and beverages from Serious Sausage and Candy Meister. Many VW enthusiasts brought their handpicked classics while VW Canadaprovided the much anticipated 2015 Golf GTI Mk7. Special thanks to Strictly German Volkswagen Association and UBC E-Beetle for attending.

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vw-unearthing-crowd

Details of a sculptue by Gerry Judah, a world renowned artist, whose work is featured at the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK, was revealed. It will sit inbetween the VW (Spring 2015) and adjacent Audi dealership (TBA).

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The northeast corner of Lougheed Highway and Boundary Road, one of B.C.’s busiest intersections, is about to look very different.

More photos:

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vw-unearthing-construction-crew

vw-unearthing-dug

Nostalgia: Remembering Iconic Volkswagen Beetle Moments

The Volkswagen Bug has been with us for well over 50 years, and suffice to say, it has become a bit, err… iconic. To say the least. Trying to describe the magic of an old Volkswagen Bug, or the current Volkswagen Beetle, is continually accompanied by a walk down memory lane. People genuinly find it hard to describe in less than an entire story what it attaracts them to this charming two-door VW. The aura of the mighty bug can therefore only be explained by taking a closer look at some of its most memorable moments.

Beetle Ads

Some argue that Volkswagen was the very first company to sucessfully nail the art of minimalism in an advertising campaign. In an era where the American “Big Three” were pencil drawing overly colorful and flamboyant ads of their chromed to the teeth land yachts, Volkswagen was busy lending the prescription glasses business a hand by getting people to focus every so attentively on ever so unnassuming advertisements. Here’s one of my favorites.

Herbie!

I once read somewhere that Coca-Cola was the second best known word after the word “okay.” Methinks it would be safe to say that Herbie, the antropomorphic 1963 Beetle, may just be the best known car in the world. It had a mind of its own and would win races with no one at the wheel. It was as uncontrollable as it was cute. And everyone had to have one. In white, with a stripe overtop and the number 53 on the bonnet. Just don’t go looking for any grand enthralling cinematic experience in the most recent “Herbie Fully Loaded” flick. Its grassroots automotive entertainment wrapped up in a lighthearted comedy. An excellent choice for family movie night. 

Last Original Bug Ever Produced

So popular in fact, that 21 million were produced. While Porsche is happy to sell a few thousand 911s in any given year and in any given country, Volkswagen used to sell close to a 1,000 Beetles before lunch was served – on any given day. If that statement raises an eyebrow, I’ll have you know that in 1971 alone, VW sold 1.3 million of them. Feel free to do the math. But unfortunately there came a day when its production ended. The last place to produce it was Mexico, where the Bug was the car of choice for taxi drivers. Easy to fix, fun to drive, and great on gas. The fact that they were painted green and white, Mexico’s colours, only added to the hurt when the last one rolled off of the production line on July 30th, 2003. The car was romantically dubbed, in typical German fashion, the “No. 21,529,464” and was immediately shipped to the VW museum in Wolfsburg. Something tells me it may have also been the last car to have ever been produced with solid chrome bumpers and white wall tires from the factory.

New Beetle (the 3rd)

In case you hadn’t noticed, there’s a new Beetle in town. Actually, let me rephrase,… there’s a new new Beetle in town. As of 2012, the streets have been graced with the third generation of this peppy automobile, and enthusiasts of the brand haven’t yet looked back. The latest generation is based on the new Jetta platform, and is therefore roomier, with a five-cylinder turbocharged engine to boot. In fact, Volkswagen is so proud of their newest Beetle, they’ve put the world’s best driver/entertainer behind the wheel and have entered it into something called Global Rallycross. It’ll have a 560 horsepower TSI unit and all wheel drive, and no, it won’t be for sale at your local dealership. Yet. Perhaps if Tanner Foust wins his third championship in a row they’ll build us a limited production run. Here’s to dreaming!

Learn about OpenRoad Volkswagen