Whenever an automaker reveals a vehicle in Europe that we want but won’t get here in North America, it almost feels like they’re teasing us intentionally. The latest car to make us jelly of our European cousins is this handsome hatch, the CLA 45 Shooting Brake, which Mercedes-AMG just pulled the covers off of. With its Panamericana grille and long, sweeping roofline, the five-doored CLA 45 and 45 S appear as a pure gift to wagon-lovers, but for Canadians, its another look but dont touch situation. Those European feet that are allowed to flatten the accelerator will feel the pull of the world’s most powerful turbocharged four-cylinder production engine, a modified version of that found in the CLA 45. Here it makes 387 horsepower (416 in the S model) and ushers the estate car up to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds (4.0 flat in the S).As is the AMG trend nowadays, there’s also a Drift Mode option that helps drivers get appropriately squirrel-ly. A sharply styled compact wagon with 416 horsepower and Drift Mode? Ugh! No thank you!Yeah, see, even writing that as a joke feels wrong. Pricing for the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 and 45 S has not yet been released yet. But we can’t buy it anyway, so who
Origin: Mercedes-AMG’s CLA 45 Shooting Brake is as beautiful as it is not for Canada
Beautiful
Beautiful B.C. a bountiful place for carnuts this weekend
A highly modified Corvette dragster takes off at Mission Raceway Park on June 30, the 66th anniversary of the first Vette to roll off the assembly line in Flint, Michigan.Cam Hutchins After last weekends Canada Day blitz of car events across the province, youd think things might slow down for this weekend, but thanks to the strong and wide carnut culture in B.C., there are plenty of shows to attend and races to watch today through Sunday.As a member both the B.C. Vintage Truck Museum and the B.C. Hot Rod Association Im really excited about their combined shows this year at the Casino in Cloverdale on Saturday. Unfortunately, that means Ill miss the vintage races in Seattle. Maybe next year.Last Saturday I went to the Doorwarz drag races in Mission and got some great shots of the cars that somewhat resemble what rolled out of the factory. But when the front wheels go high in the air you know they are a long way away from the production line. On Canada Day I was up early for an 8 a.m. photo shoot at the Jellybean Autocrafters show roll-in. As always, a stellar collection of classics, particularly the 1959-61 Impalas that I am always partial to. The Cougar club all came in together and while Gordy Korupchuks cool car wasnt the only one to overheat, he at least had an excuse, as it is a fresh engine of a fresh build. Luckily the road is sloped so he could coast much of the way in.But no coasting this weekend as there are 21 car events/races to get to. And dont forget to take a kid along with you. Not only does that continue the car culture in our province, it also provides you with some extra pushing power in case your car overheats.SHOWSJULY 6What: BCHRA Hot Rod Saturday B.C. Vintage Truck Museum ShowWhere: Elements Casino, 17755 60th Ave., Cloverdale and the B.C. Vintage Truck MuseumWhen: 8 a.m. to 3p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: $20Info: 604-576-6051 or wwagner@bchra.caWebsite: bchra.caWhat: Bigtimers CC Fifth Annual Auto ShowWhere: Aria Banquet Convention Centre, 12350 Pattullo Pl., SurreyWhen: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: 8 a.m. to 10a.m. $20 and open to all vehicles and motorcyclesInfo: 604-825-4214 or info@bigtimerscc.comWebsite: bigtimerscc.comWhat: Four-Wheel Drive Association of B.C. Show ShineWhere: Fraser River Heritage Park, MissionWhen: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Admission: By donation ($10 suggested), walk-ins are freeRegistration: Gates will open at 10 a.m. By donationInfo: 604-467-5848 or President@4wdabc.caWebsite: 4wdabc.caWhat: Princeton Main Street Show ShineWhere: Bridge St., PrincetonWhen: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: 9 a.m. $20 (donation to Childrens Hospital) and open to all vehiclesInfo: 250-295-3818JULY 7What: BCCC Waterfront Corvettes Show ShineWhere: Waterfront Park, North VancouverWhen: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: 9:00a.m. $15 for non-membersInfo: 604-594-7510 or sw3875@gmail.comWebsite: bccorvetteclub.caWhat: Dueck Classic Car ShowWhere: Dueck Downtown, 888 Terminal Ave., VancouverWhen: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Admission: Free. BBQ with $5 donation with all proceeds to Special OlympicsRegistration: Free and all vintage vehicles welcomeInfo: 604-675-7900 or nickie.dukhia@dueckgm.comWebsite: dueckgm.com/CarShowWhat: Woodys Pub Show ShineWhere: 935 Brunette Ave., CoquitlamWhen: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: 8 a.m. By donation and open to all vehiclesInfo: 604-318-0924 or shirleymcm60@yahoo.caWhat: The Golden Oldies Show Shine.Where: Williamson Park, Port AlberniWhen: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: 8 a.m. to noon. Open to all vehiclesInfo: 250-724-3066 or craigdancer@shaw.caWhat: Totem Classic Thunderbird Club of B.C. Show/Cruise-InWhere: Semiahmoo Shopping Centre, White RockWhen: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. $20 and open to all vehiclesInfo: 604-524-0033 or ross_morris@telus.netWebsite: totemclassicthunderbird.orgWhat: Trev Deeley Motorcycles 23rd Annual Show ShineWhere: Trev Deeley Motorcycles, 1875 Boundary Rd., VancouverWhen: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: 10 a.m. to noon. By donation to support A.I.M. and open to all vehiclesInfo: 604-291-2453 or dosarchuk@trevdeeley.comWebsite: trevdeeley.comWhat: A Likely Show ShineWhere: Downtown LikelyWhen: 10 a.m. 3 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: Open until 9:45 a.m. $20 and open to all vehiclesInfo: 250-790-2180, tdcatv@msn.com or likelyshowandshine@gmail.comWhat: The Barriere Park Show Shine/Swap MeetWhere: Fadear Park, BarriereWhen: Swap Meet starts at 9a.m. Show: 10 a.m. 3 p.m.Admission: By donation for the Barriere Skateboard ParkRegistration: By donation and open to all vehiclesInfo: 250-320-3477 or hotrodjim-34@hotmail.ca COMPETITIONJULY 5What: Friday Night Mopac Auto Supply Street Legal Drag RacingWhere: Mission Raceway Park, 32670 Dyke Rd. MissionWhen: Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Racing starts at 5 p.m. and ends at 11 p.m. (weather permitting).Info: 604-826-6315 or
Origin: Beautiful B.C. a bountiful place for carnuts this weekend
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