IN LIKE A LION, OUT LIKE A LAMB. We welcome spring with our 28th spring issue… Um, it is spring time, right? I mean, it seems like winter – if you can call it that – arrived just last week in our hood, so I’m not really sure. Not that we would have even noticed as 2015 was the busiest year ever for the Performance Publications Media Group, and we barely had time to come up for air in between four quarterly issues, regular online updates and three special magazine editions, including our latest one: a massive 2016-17 New Vehicle Buyer's Guide.
We start fresh this issue with a look at some of the coolest future vehicles and automotive technologies the industry has seen in years. From
Detroit to Las Vegas, our editors have worked tirelessly to get the scoop on all kinds of interesting concepts that will become reality at some point in the future – perhaps fi ve, 10, or even 20 years down the road – or maybe never. The reality is that many concepts never make it in to production. And that’s okay because each does serve some purpose, and is a stepping stone toward something bigger.
We also run down the latest headlines that are important to Canadians, and because so many of you, dear readers, are heavy into performance cars and enjoy “taking it to the track,” we compare the all-new, gen six Chevrolet Camaro SS to its predecessor in our regular Head-to-Head feature. We found that both platforms are great, but this latest one is a major step forward for the ’Maro.
On the road test front, we’ve lined up a smart selection of the latest and greatest luxury and performance machines – cue the Audi A4 compact luxury car, Cadillac CT6 executive sedan and Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe – as well as some more utilitarian and mainstream choices like the Nissan Titan, Chevy Malibu and Honda Civic. The latter, of course, is this year’s AJAC Canadian Car of the Year, and it
is truly deserving. In addition to our full reviews on these important vehicles, we managed to get our mitts on some really cool metal for some quick drives, starting with the Lamborghini Huracán on page 30.
Our regional grassroots motorsports partners from across the country chime in with all the latest news and updates from coast-to-coast. Want to get involved and race against the clock or wheel-to-wheel with like-minded enthusiasts in your area? This is required reading.
Our regular contributors share their insights and passions, too. Jen Horsey, for example, writes about why you should consider buying a built race car rather than building one yourself in her Pace Notes column. Likewise, our newest expert, David Grainger from television’s Restoration Garage, writes on a topic near and dear to his heart – auctions and cars as investments – and has some great tips for those who
want to have their cake and eat it too. Speaking of cake, Brian Makse writes about his favourite dish – ’90s era Porsche 911s that have been restored by Singer Vehicle Designs. These amazing restorations are so clean and so perfect that you could eat your cake right off the engine. Seriously. Lastly, my longtime friend and mentor Mark Hacking brings us across the line with a recap of the Ford GT’s return to racing at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. It wasn’t the result they were hoping for, but it was the start of a new era.
Speaking of eras, it is the end of one for me, and this will be the last edition of Ignition Luxury & Performance with me at the helm. I am leaving the industry. Well, sort of. I’m actually just going to the other side (some call it the dark side) and, instead of getting to drive the latest new and future cars on press launches around the world, I will be on the side that puts together these amazing experiences to help my media colleagues generate stories, formulate opinions and inform the public on what’s new and coming down the pipe.
It is with mixed emotions that I say goodbye to my coworkers, and I have nothing but respect and gratitude for the Performance Publications Media Group and the many professionals I’ve had the pleasure to work with and alongside the past 14 years. From all of us at Ignition Luxury & Performance, I hope you enjoy this issue and many more to come.
It isn’t farewell forever, but rather ciao for now. See you on the other side.
Shaun Keenan
Group Managing Editor
#ignitionlpmag
