2015 Porsche MacanLUCY NICHOLSON/Reuters
File these four items under news you should note from this year's Toronto auto show:
Porsche makes a comeback
Porsche Canada has been filling the garages of wealthy Canadians at a startling rate, yet for years and years didn't bother with Canada's No. 1 auto show. But with the new, potentially high-volume Macan SUV arriving late this spring, Porsche is back for the first time since 2008. The news: pricing for the 2015 Macan starts at $54,300, with the Turbo nearly $30,000 more at $82,200. So, will you be back in 2015, Porsche?
Updated Mini comes at a price
And it starts at $20,990, with the Cooper S at a base price of $25,490. The styling has been tweaked and to help BMW meet fuel economy rules, both three- and four-cylinder engines will be sold when the new Mini hits dealers this spring.
2013 World Car of the Year comes to Canada
The latest version of Volkswagen's Golf has been sold around the world for so long, well, it's already been named 2013 World Car of the Year. You read that correctly, 2013 World Car of the Year. That version of the Golf will finally go on sale in Canada this year, and you can see the car itself at the Toronto show. The car looks terrific and is powered by a 1.8-litre direct-injected turbocharged engine (170 hp/184 lb. ft of torque). Stop by the VW stand and ask them why it's taken so long for VW to start selling the 2013 World Car of the Year in Canada.
Gearhead alert
You simply cannot buy a racier, more capable high-performance car for less money than the new 2015 WRX and WRX STI from Subaru. Wrap your gearhead around this: the all-new WRX and STI models, with faster steering, loads of power and an excellent all-wheel-drive system, are going on sale in the spring with an entry price of $29,995; the STI is base-priced at $37,995. When Subaru says this is a terrific value, it's not spin or hype.
The WRX has a brand new four-cylinder, direct injection turbocharged boxer engine (268 hp/258 pound-feet of torque, mated to a new six-speed manual transmission or optional Sport Lineartronic gearbox. A stiffer chassis makes the car more agile and precise than ever. Oh, and the STI gets a 305 hp motor. What a delicious engineering package and it won't chew up your entire retirement fund.
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