AutoShow to Celebrate '70 Years of Porsche'

A special feature at the Feb. 16-25 AutoShow will be a display of iconic cars tracing the German automaker's history that started 70 years ago – in a sawmill!

TORONTO, Jan. 19, 2018 /CNW/ - The Canadian International AutoShow is proud to announce that a feature attraction at this year's show, scheduled for Feb. 16-25 at the downtown Metro Toronto Convention Centre, will be a major display of cars celebrating the "70 Years of Porsche."

Said General Manager Jason Campbell: "Porsche is among the most iconic of automotive brands and the Canadian International AutoShow is thrilled to be able to tell their story, from the beginning in 1948 to the present."

Although company founder Ferdinand Porsche started in business in Germany in 1931 doing automotive consulting and development, it wasn't until 1948 that the first Porsche road car, the 356, was built. Spearheaded by the founder's son, Ferry Porsche, who couldn't find the sports car of his dreams, the 356 was constructed in an Austrian sawmill. Only when pre-orders warranted production moved to Stuttgart, where a Porsche factory and company headquarters remain to this day.

Porsche, like other European automakers of the day, used motor racing to both market their cars and to test them for reliability. The 550 was one of the most successful cars of that era, being driven to victory frequently by Formula One ace Hans Hermann. Its successor, the Porsche 718, started racing in 1957 and was as successful as the 550 had ever been.

Although the Porsche 356 was a good soldier, the company's success in motorsport was sufficient motivation for it to upgrade its road-going design and the result was the first 911, another rear-engine sports car but one with a six-cylinder "boxer" engine.

"We look forward to using this display to tell the story of Porsche from beginning to present," said Marc Ouayoun, President & CEO, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd. "The feature area will bring the evolution of Porsche over the past 70 years to life, host a selection of classic, historically significant Porsche models, and integrate memorable motorsport feats, highlighted by claiming overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans a record 19 times." 

However, Ouayoun said that Porsche is about looking forward as much as it is about looking back.

"The company has developed a lightning quick battery charger that will power up its new, all-electric vehicle, based on the Mission E concept study, in as little as 20 minutes," he said. "So we're excited to be presenting a display that celebrates the history of Porsche, but also peeks at where the brand is going."

The "70 Years of Porsche" will be on display on Level 100 of the North Building, just to the west of Auto Exotica in a space that was occupied last year by "50 Years of Formula One in Canada." The company history, a focus on key individuals in its evolution, and six of its most famous cars over the decades will make up the exhibit.

What sets the Canadian International AutoShow apart from other auto shows is the large number of special presentations that both inform and entertain. Among them: 

- Auto Exotica: Lamborghinis, McLarens, Bugattis, Aston Martins and other magical marques will again form the basis of the most exotic and valuable collection of cars showcased anywhere in the country. A record $100m worth of exotics were on display in 2017 and 2018 is set to top that tally with additional aspirational brands scheduled to participate. 

- 50 Years of Hot Wheels: The No. 1 selling toy in the world is joining with the Canadian International AutoShow to celebrate a half century of one of the most iconic toys of all time. A Hot Wheels super track will be built, a dedicated display area featuring Hot Wheels collectors and their treasures will be set aside and show-goers will be able to get up-close to six life-size Hot Wheels cars, including the Darth Vader car and the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS.

- Art and the Automobile: The ever-popular Art & the Automobile exhibit presented by the Cobble Beach Concours d'Elegance will, for its fourth edition, feature rare cars seldom seen anywhere, with a focus on the brands and mascots that made the classics the icons they are today. 

Additional details about these and other all-new exhibits for 2018 will be issued as showtime approaches. 

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About the Canadian International AutoShow
With more than 650,000 square feet of exhibits, displays and attractions at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the Canadian International AutoShow is not only the largest automotive expo in Canada, it is also the country's largest consumer show — a leader in lifestyle, technology and all things automotive boasting more than 1,000 cars, trucks, SUVs, concept cars, exotics, classics, muscle cars, fully electric and autonomous vehicles. Nearly 340,000 attended the 2017 show.

About Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd.

Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., a dedicated subsidiary of Porsche AG, imports and distributes Porsche vehicles in Canada. The company employs a team of more than 50 in sales, aftersales, finance, marketing, network development, and public relations. In 2017, Porsche sold an unprecedented 8,249 units in Canada, up 17% over the prior year.

SOURCE Canadian International AutoShow