Electric Avenue

Tesla's Model S offers an ideal blend of luxury and performance from its electric motors.

Like hybrids, electric cars are gaining in popularity amongst today’s car buyers. Normally I focus on a new innovative technology, but this week I’d like to put the spotlight on one manufacturer in particular – Tesla Motors.

In my opinion, Tesla is the most innovative auto manufacturer out there today. Co-founded in 2003 by current CEO Elon Musk (who co-founded PayPal, and also founded the space-exploration company SpaceX), Tesla has released three different models of cars to-date: their Roadster, Model S, and Model X. A fourth, the Model 3 is expected to be released in 2017.

Tesla's interiors feature a surprising lack of buttons, as
most options are controlled via a giant 17" touchscreen.

The Model S has been their most successful vehicle thus far, as it sold just over 50,000 units last year and was named the best-selling plug-in vehicle of 2015. And if you thought that electric cars weren’t built for high-performance, you’re in for a real surprise. The performance model of Tesla’s Model S is called the P90D, and as of now, it’s the fastest sedan in the world. With a 0-60 time of only 2.8 seconds, the P90D uses all-wheel drive to put its 762 hp and earth-shattering 687 lb-ft of torque to the pavement. This car is so quick to launch that it matches the performance figures of Lamborghinis and Ferraris. I’ll give you a moment to let that sink in.

The new Model X received plenty of attention at this year's
Canadian International Auto Show, thanks in part to its
stylized "falcon-wing" rear doors.

While the Model S represents luxury and performance, Tesla’s new Model X is a crossover that features seating for up to seven passengers. It’ll feature a performance model as well, and its rear doors are “falcon-wings” that open upwards and allow passengers to get in and out easily. Tesla is aiming to sell the smaller Model 3 for only $35,000 when it launches in 2017, easily making it their most affordable vehicle to date.

In addition to their innovative vehicles, Tesla has established a network of supercharger stations worldwide to quickly charge its vehicles, opened up its patents to the public in the hopes that they’ll improve their designs, avoided operating expensive dealerships in many U.S. states by setting up “stores” and “galleries” in malls, and marketed their own batteries for home use.

Even if cars and technology aren’t your cup of tea, I hope that you’ll at least follow Tesla’s developments in the coming years. They’re making waves in the auto industry, and they’re providing us all with an incredible amount of innovations.

Live From The #CIAS2016

Ford's 2017 GT supercar stood out for many reasons at this year's show.

This week is something of a special blog for me. Thanks to the kind folks at Enterprise Canada, I was lucky enough to attend Media Day at this year’s Canadian International AutoShow. As a car enthusiast, it was really a dream to experience the show before it’s filled with thousands of visitors. I got to sit behind the wheel of a number of great cars, including the BMW i8, Tesla's Model S & X, and the Maserati Quattroporte, just to name a few.

Alfa Romeo unveiled their stylish Giulietta sedan
to Canadian journalists.

I could ramble on about the incredible selection of cars at this year’s show, but what was even more impressive was the fantastic amount of innovation on display to the public. For starters, Audi unveiled a sporty new hydrogen-fueled concept, the H-Tron Quattro. The concept uses the harnessed power of hydrogen in order to drive electric motors at the front and rear, ultimately expelling zero emissions into the environment. Using hydrogen as a fuel source is a concept that’s still in its infancy, but seeing concepts from Audi and Lexus shows that automakers believe in its future.

High performance cars will always own the spotlight of the auto industry, and they did just that at this year’s auto show as well. What makes this different from any other year, you ask? Automakers are now able to build supercars that pack more power than ever before, but also return better fuel economy. For instance, let’s look at the Ford GT. Originally produced between 2005 - 2006, it featured a supercharged 5.4 L V8 engine that produced 550 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. The 2017 GT now uses a twin-turbocharged 3.5 L V6 engine that produces 720 horsepower and 539 lb-ft of torque.

Acura proudly displayed their 2017 NSX, which is the
successor to their popular supercar of the 90s.

These are staggering figures, but they demonstrate what turbocharging an engine can bring to the table in today’s auto industry. In fact, F1 and Indy Car use turbocharged V6 engines, and they produce more power than their old V8 engines ever did. All of these great technologies and innovations were on display at this year’s Canadian International AutoShow, and I look forward to expanding upon some of these concepts and ideas that I witnessed in future blog posts.

Until then, go and check out the show at the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto until it closes its doors on Feb. 21.