This past weekend, the Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS) wrapped up after it’s 10 day run, showcasing more than 1,000 different types of vehicles. As an avid automotive fan, I was excited to see what this year’s show had to offer, since 2018 was a great year – and it drew in a record number of attendees. This year’s attendance numbers fell just short of 2018’s record number, but it was a show worth attending.
With technology being at the forefront of most auto innovations, I have to take a moment to step back and say how awesome it is to be living in a time where this is all possible. Things like premium safety features and self-driving abilities have become a standard among most automakers, which I can’t help but appreciate. When I was younger I only imagined what today’s cars would be like… The future really is now.
As you may have expected, the most exciting aspect of the Auto Show was the vast variety of cars. With such a large selection to work with, it wasn’t easy narrowing it down to what I enjoyed the most – however, I was genuinely enthused by Ford’s updates and innovation across the board for 2020.
The past year, I had the privilege of driving two great Ford vehicles – the Mustang and the Explorer. I had gained a new sense of appreciation for both of those cars, and seeing the changes at this year’s auto show really peaked my excitement.
Ford Shelby GT500
Although what I drove wasn’t the Mustang GT500, I began to finally understand and appreciate the Mustang a lot more over the past year. Beyond it’s iconic silhouette, the Mustang is a real contender in the sports car segment.
Now the new Shelby GT500 is Ford’s pinnacle pony car, packing a whopping 700 horsepower, which easily makes it stand out as the quickest-accelerating and highest-performing street-legal Mustang ever built.
Beyond that, the super-car has an updated, streamlined appearance that compliments it’s prowess. “It boasts revised suspension geometry, a new electronic power steering unit and lighter-weight coil springs front and rear. Next-generation active MagneRide suspension is built-in, along with the latest in advanced drive mode technologies from Ford Performance.”
I hope to be able to test drive this beauty one day to really understand what all the numbers mean first hand!
Ford Explorer
As a road trip enthusiast, the right vehicle is absolutely important for the long road. Having a great SUV that is capable and comfortable goes a long way – and not only for the driver, but the passengers as well.
I had a great time with the Explorer last year, and seeing the updates for 2020 made me look forward to this model yet again. The refined design made the existing SUV look even smarter and more defined. Interior wise it’s just as comfortable as you’d expect – and even a little larger, but the real excitement was the fact that the Hybrid model could last you up to 800km on a single tank – wow!
Ford’s Innovation and Tech
I’ll start by saying that the auto show had various interactive elements that made it that much more fun – but Ford had two pieces of innovation that really caught my attention! The first being the sleep suit, which simulated the effects of being sleep deprived while on the road. Did you know that riving drowsy can be just as dangerous as being under the influence, due to the micro sleeps induced from exhaustion?
The sleep suit had weights that were activated to make you feel true exhaustion whilst being on the road. We’ve all been there before, and it definitely served as a good reminder to rest well before long journeys, even if it means taking a few short naps while pulling over.
Now the Ekso Vest was a different story. This innovation was really exciting to see because it helped Ford production workers on a day to day basis. It is essentially wearable gear that reduces the strain felt when doing repetitive overhead tasks.
I could see this wearable tech becoming more mainstream in the near future because of how effective it is in helping employees perform their daily tasks. Technology such as this could ultimately create more accessibility for people who may not be physically capable of performing such tasks. Awesome nevertheless!
As an end note, I’m genuinely looking forward to see what’s next on the list for auto innovation. So far it’s been nothing but great things, but what excites me even more is that there are developments that we don’t think are possible right now, that will eventually be completely possible!
