The Top 3 Debuts at the Vancouver International Auto Show
A record-breaking year.
2025 Maserati Grecale Folgore
The 101st edition of the Vancouver International Auto Show wrapped up on March 23 at the Vancouver Convention Centre, breaking attendance records with nearly 139,000 visitors over a five-day span. This year saw manufacturers and local dealers display more than 200 vehicles, ranging from luxury supercars and exotics to the latest passenger EVs and commercial cargo vans, a number of them seen for the first time regionally. Here are the top three notable debuts at VIAS 2025.
The U.S.-manufactured SSC Tuatara Striker does justice to the hypercar designation, the name a nod to strike fighter jets with which it shares similar wind-cheating and agility characteristics. The aggressive body aero and multiple spoilers, affixed to a lightweight and strong carbon fibre monocoque, contribute to 1,100 pounds of tarmac-ripping downforce (45.4 per cent front/54.6 per cent rear) achieved at speeds of 257 kilometres per hour.
Sending an incredible 1,750 horsepower and 1,322 lb-ft of torque (when filled with methanol fuel) to the rear wheels via a 5.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine and electrohydraulic seven-speed automatic transmission, it reaches 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in only 2.8 seconds. Three height presets allow a track-to-street transition at the push of a button. The SSC Tuatara Striker is limited to under 100 units.
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Maserati’s foray into the fully electric utility space comes by way of the Grecale Folgore (Italian for lightning), a zero-emissions variant of the popular compact SUV. A semiclosed grille and special aerodynamically designed 19-to-21-inch wheels help differentiate the model from its gasoline-powered sibling, and a gloss black finish on the former, as well as the splitters, door handles, and side skirts, provide an elegant and sporty appearance.
Inside, there’s carbon copper 3D touch interior trim and 14-way power adjustable seats covered in black and tan Econyl upholstery made with recycled nylon fibre. The large 12.3-inch central touchscreen display supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. Dual electric motors produce 550 horsepower and 605 lb-ft of torque, and a 96-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack yields an estimated maximum travel distance of nearly 400 kilometres on a single charge.
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Slotting above the already-available Optiq and Lyriq is this new six- or seven-seater crossover EV arriving in stores soon. Signature design elements like the Black Crystal Shield grille, raked windshield, D-pillar sail panel, and polished details make the vehicle resemble a smaller version of the upcoming Escalade IQ flagship, while elements including the Mondrian pattern third-row window graphics lend an unusual touch. The interior is highlighted by a beautiful 33-inch curved LED infotainment widescreen and a 23-speaker Dolby Atmos-enabled AKG stereo.
A high-capacity 102-kilowatt-hour battery feeds the front and rear electric motors jointly creating 615 horsepower, 650 lb-ft of torque, and all-wheel drive. Up to an approximate 483 kilometres of range is offered on a full charge. Active suspension dampening is standard equipment, and consumers can add an Air Ride system for increased ride comfort. Also available is rear-wheel steering, giving the Vistiq a smaller turning radius to aid urban manoeuvrability.
