Our hits and misses from the 2020 Montreal International Auto Show

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The Electric Zone: Talk about a hit!

Natural Resources Canada presents The Electric Zone, an auto show within an auto show.

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Our hits and misses from the 2020 Montreal International Auto Show Back to video

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The exhibit takes up most of the seventh floor of Montreal’s Palais des congrés , where on display are 20 EVs from 13 manufacturers.

Also on display is the Charge Zone, which showcases the wares of five EV charging-station distributors. Test drives will also be given outdoors, in a variety battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, as well as in the hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai.

If you’re interested in an electric or electrified vehicle, for the 10 days during the auto show, this will be your one-stop EV information centre.

Ford Mustang Mach-E: Hit and a miss

We finally get to ogle at the Ford M-M-M-Mustang Mach-E during its Canadian debut, at the Montreal auto show. Sorry, I’m having a tough time attaching a bona fide muscle-car name to a piston-free EV .

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Despite its controversial nomenclature, the Mustang Mach-E’s spec sheet makes it a hit. There’s no denying the Mach-E will be a veritable e-force on the road, with power ratings between 255 and 459 horsepower depending on the model; and torque between 306 and 612 lb-ft. The forecast zero-to-100-km/h times are below four seconds.

Rear-drive and all-wheel-drive will be available, and range is expected to be between 325 to 475 kilometres, with pricing starting at just above $50,000. And really, it looks quite stunning in the metal. Ford reported in late December that all extended-range First Edition reservations have already been taken up by enthusiastic buyers in the U.S.

The miss? While the main focus of Ford’s press conference was on the future electrification of mobility, the steps the company is taking toward cleaning up the environment, and Ford revealed only two vehicles in Montreal, both electrified – the aforementioned Mach-E and the 2020 Escape PHEV – it began the press conference by showing a loud, charging video of F-150 Raptors doing doughnuts and Mustangs doing burnouts. Seems the different marketing departments didn’t exchange memos.

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Chevrolet Corvette: Another hit

Another hit? The Chevrolet Corvette, well, because it’s the new mid-engine Corvette . No other explanation is necessary.

But, if we must: Chevrolet gives Canadians their first chance to touch the 2020 Corvette in Montreal, and you’ll probably have to fight off frenzied fanboys to get a picture of it because they will flock like seagulls to a discarded French fry.

For me, the C8 recalls the ‘Vettes of the ’60s and early ’70s, mostly because, as it did then, it now embodies the true spirit of the accessible, desirable American sports car. It has the stuff of dream cars, and it’s relatively affordable, making it possible for average folks to eventually live their dream. While the ‘Vettes of the last three decades were somewhat affordable, they had lost some of their dreaminess.

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Hyundai 45 Concept: I guess a hit-ish?

Making its North American debut in Montreal is the Hyundai 45 Concept ; as a styling exercise, it’s a hit, while demonstrating just how far the Korean automaker has come in the 45 years since it introduced the diminutive Pony. (Yeah, 45 years since the Pony — get the name, now?)

Unfortunately, all we know about this concept car is that it points towards an electric future for Hyundai, and that exterior LED lights will cue a driver into how much range is left in the battery before getting in. Another innovation is the Camera Monitoring System, part of which utilizes side-mounted cameras instead of exterior mirrors to provide a rear view. Interesting, but nothing revolutionary.

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The Intersection: Hit or miss?

Unlike a couple of manufacturers that snubbed the Montreal Auto Show this year, Honda makes an appearance, but not in a traditional way. Instead of a mock showroom full of new cars, Honda introduced The Intersection, an interactive exhibit where show-goers can experience the brand rather than the product.

People can see a crash-tested Civic Coupe, learn about Honda’s efforts to reduce its impact on the environment, and learn how Honda helps the community through the charities it supports.

Whether the public takes a liking to The Intersection or not, only time will tell.

BMW M2 CS: A Bavarian Hit

Parked nondescript-ly in BMW’s booth is a coupe that catches your eye — not because of its bright Misano Blue paint scheme, but because it is proportioned just right, and is sooo sexy.

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Its 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six makes 444 horsepower and can push the CS from zero to 100 km/h in four seconds flat when equipped with the optional seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, as is this show car. Driving enthusiasts will note that the M2 CS is among the few cars still available with a manual box, in this case with six cogs.

Among other performance-enhancing features, the CS comes with an active differential, adaptive suspension, and weight-saving carbon-fibre-reinforced body parts that drop weight by 25 kilos. Only 2,200 M2 CS units will be built worldwide, with pricing in Canada starting at $97,750.

Gearshift knobs: Big miss

Since some people just can’t help themselves, manufacturers must still remove gearshift knobs so they don’t get stolen.

With more and more drivers snubbing the third pedal and forcing the manual transmission onto the automotive endangered-species list , it’s unlikely that a would-be knob snatcher would know what to do with it anyway.