Montreal Auto Show 2024: starts Friday!
Did you know that it's been 125 years since the first automobile hit the streets of Montreal? The Montreal Auto Show is now in its 79th year, and runs from January 19 to 28 on three levels of the Palais des congrès.
Starting on Thursday, January 18, the Car Guide team will be on hand for Media Day to cover the latest news and attractions. Here's an overview...
The return of several brands
The absence of many manufacturers from last year's show was of course noted by the 150,000 or so visitors, so organizers of the Montreal Auto Show have redoubled their efforts to have more brands present in 2024. So Ford, Lincoln, Genesis, Infiniti, Mitsubishi, McLaren and Volkswagen are back, some thanks to the participation of their local dealers.
The former will be exhibiting its Mustang Dark Horse and Mustang Mach-E Rally - one with a 500 hp V8 and the other an electric crossover with a more off-road vocation - as well as the Ranger (including the very first Ranger Raptor) and F-150 2024.
Club Tesla Québec will also be present. On the other hand, we can't forget the Stellantis divisions (Jeep, Ram, Dodge, etc.), Japanese manufacturers Honda/Acura, Mazda and Subaru, as well as German luxury brands (Audi, BMW, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz), among others.
Big news and Canadian firsts
Which new models are worth a look? Cadillac brings two exceptional electric vehicles, the Celestiq 2024 and the Escalade IQ 2025, while Hyundai presents the completely redesigned Santa Fe 2024 and the electrifying high-performance IONIQ 5 N 2025 for the first time in Canada.
Then there are the new Lincoln Nautilus, Lexus GX and Nissan Z NISMO, as well as the Tacoma 2024 pickup truck and the new-generation Camry 2025 sedan from Toyota.
Ce n’est pas tout : deux modèles électriques du constructeur vietnamien VinFast qui ont fait leurs débuts au CES de Las Vegas la semaine dernière seront du rendez-vous. On parle ici du très mini utilitaire VF 3 et du concept de camionnette VF Wild.
An even larger collection of exotic cars
Quebec businessman and collector Luc Poirier returns to the Montreal Auto Show after his impressive line-up of exotic cars stole the show last year. This time, more than 35 breathtaking models worth a combined total of nearly $50 million will be on display, many of them never before seen at the show or at other events.
The bulk of the collection is made up of Ferrari cars from almost every era, ranging from a superb 1967 330 GTC to a 2023 296 GTB. In between is a 2017 LaFerrari Aperta estimated at $7.5 million. There are also three recent Porsches, including a 2024 911 Dakar.
Performance, motorsports and entertainment
Finally, the Montreal Auto Show 2024 devotes an entire floor to enthusiasts from all walks of life. The Performance Tuning Zone makes its return after a year's absence, showcasing more than 30 unique cars. The Autosport Zone brings together some of the finest award-winning modified cars and a space dedicated to motor racing, as well as a retro section featuring vintage snowmobiles. This is also where you'll find Hugo Girard's dream garage and Luc Poirier's collection.
Girard and other stars such as Peter Miller, Emmanuel Auger, Babu and Martin D'Anjou have their own area to meet the public. NASCAR drivers Alex Guénette, Andrew Ranger, Marc-Antoine Camirand, Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, Alex Labbé and Raphaël Lessard will also be there. Then there's a whole section featuring recreational vehicles ranging from motorcycles and RVs to quads and boats.
"We're looking to transcend the traditional image of the Montreal Auto Show by creating a venue that showcases the many ways people travel today," explained the event's executive director, Luis Pereira. Our ambition is to offer visitors an enriching and comprehensive experience, meeting the expectations of car enthusiasts by showcasing every aspect that might interest them."
By the way, road tests of electric vehicles are still on the program, with a circuit in the streets near the Palais des Congrès. It's free, and a golden opportunity to compare models before making a choice. The Car Guide team will also be on hand at our booth, which you're sure to come across on your way out of the Show. Come and meet us!
