Most Intriguing Vehicles on Display at the 2018 Edmonton Motorshow

The Edmonton Motorshow may not have the same style, pizzazz and excitement as found in other extravagant North American shows offering up plenty of debuts, but what it does have is plenty of substance. For its 42nd year, consumers will be treated to various hallways of hardware—more than 600 vehicles on display—featuring the latest pickups, crossovers and passenger cars, as well as a healthy dose of customized and unique vehicles in its Auto Emporium. We've well documented both Canadian debuts of the 2019 Toyota RAV4 and 2019 Lexus UX, so here's a look at what else caught our eye at this year's auto show.

2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt
One of the biggest attractions will definitely be the 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt. It's being produced by Ford to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the cult-classic movie Bullitt starring Steve McQueen. A Ford logo cannot be found on this limited-edition gem; instead, a faux “Bullitt” gas cap has been placed in the centre of its rear. The Bullitt variant—basically a customised Mustang GT—is available in a Dark Highland Green colour from the movie or in Shadow Black. I doubt you can drive like McQueen in the Bullitt's famous chase scene, but you can try with its upgraded 5.0-litre V8 with at least 475 hp and 420 lb.-ft. of torque that can also help achieve a top speed of 262 km/h.

1976-77 Honda Civic
We are unsure if this is a 1976 or 77 Honda Civic, but regardless the model year, it's in magnificent shape and will get an equal amount of stares to the new Civic Si sitting right beside it. This first-generation Civic hatch shows off its true simplicity and the building block for what has made it Canada's best-selling passenger car for 20 consecutive years running. We're talking 52 horsepower, a Hondamatic semi-automatic transmission, power front disc brakes, AM radio, cloth upholstery, vinyl and reclining bucket seats, and rear-seat folding capability. It's an old one, but a beauty that stole our eye at the show.

GMC All-Mountain Sierra HD 2.0
The GMC All-Mountain Sierra HD makes a living at these auto shows and with its snow tracks, it seems to suit Edmonton's snowy climate. This is the 2.0 version that can tackle some deep snow and its original version actually has been used as a rescue mission vehicle at the Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort. It's a dual effort between GMC and Mills Motors that features a 12-inch lift kit, 175 Series Mattracks, 18-inch wide rubber track, an anti-torque system and a concentric pivot suspension.

Silver Stage Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
The GMC All-Mountain Sierra might stand out the most, but this Silver Stage Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD gives it a run for its money. It was created for the 2017 Boots & Hearts Music Festival in Ontario featuring a few guitars, a mic stand, live stream production capabilities, and a set of six-inch chrome assist steps to reach its bed. Under the hood is a Duramax diesel matched with an Allison automatic transmission producing 455 horsepower. Other aftermarket accessories include a 12-inch suspension lift, 24-inch wheels, strobe lights in its grille and hood scoop as well as a custom Silverado Stage wrap.

2019 Acura RDX A-Spec
Crossovers are all the rage these days, so we know many Edmonton Motorshow visitors will be looking for their next vehicle. One of those might just be the 2019 Acura RDX—available mid-2018—that features a longer wheelbase for more passenger room and cargo, as well as Acura's next-generation SH-AWD. A new engine and new transmission makes a lot of sense to boost Acura sales and the RDX shows off a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit that replaces its V6. Horsepower and torque numbers have yet to be announced. What we do know is its 10-speed automatic transmission will be geared to maximum fuel efficiency as it replaces the previous six-speed unit.

2018 Subaru BRZ tS
Earlier this year, Subaru released its track-happy BRZ tS that ups the ante on performance. It will be sold in limited numbers—100 units for Canada—and stands out from the crowd thanks to a manually-adjusted, massive carbon fibre rear wing for more downforce. The rear-wheel-drive ride possesses the same 2.0-litre boxer engine, so performance is only enhanced through driving dynamics including STI-tuned front and rear SACHS dampers and coil springs, flexible V-bars in the engine, rear and side underspoilers for better traction, and 18-inch STI alloy wheels.

2019 Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger's return to North America is a big deal and that's doubly true here in Alberta. It's gone up in size from what we remember it when it departed this continent back in 2011, as Ford aims to appeal to a pickup community that prefers its smaller trucks to be of the midsize variety. Powering the new Ranger is a turbocharged, 2.3-litre four-cylinder unit with power numbers still to come. It's the same one found in the Mustang, so you can assume numbers to be around the 310-350 mark in horsepower and pound-feet of torque. A class-exclusive 10-speed automatic transmission will help to boost fuel economy numbers.

2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom
Who doesn't like a Rolls-Royce? This Phantom is the high-point of luxury and stops any auto show-goer completely in their tracks. You'll find this in the high-end section with the Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Maseratis, and from its looks, it hasn't changed much from its outgoing model. Its grille appears to be similar in form—still large and in-charge—just more pronounced, while its length and wheelbase has slightly shrunk. Powering it is a new 6.75-litre V12 with twin turbochargers that is able to produce 563 horsepower and 664 lb.-ft. of torque, that's 110 hp and 133 lb.-ft. more than its previous version.

1933 Chevy 3 Window Coupe
You can find a bunch of rusty 1930s Chevy 3 Window Coupes on sale, but nothing like the one Edmonton has on display in its Unrivalled Rides section. It's pristine as it gets with a beautiful copper paint job that makes it look relatively new. This version has been chopped and channelled with all the oak removed from the inside. It features a 350 Chevy small-block engine, turbo 350 transmission and Rochester Tri Power carbs. Other additions include 4.5-inch stainless exhausts and 11-inch four-wheel disc brakes.

2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe R-Spec
A new Genesis G70 is found on the showroom floor, but this 2014 Genesis Coupe R-Spec, previously under the Hyundai name sits on the other side of the building. Its purple-y colour scheme with hints of light blue are truly unique, but can also be perceived as hideous. However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and some people might take to this performance-tuned trackable coupe. This vehicle has customized everything starting with its upgraded Garrett turbo engine that produces 400 whp (power output measured at the wheels), 326 power wing, turbo piping and three-inch exhaust.