Auto Show 2019: The Generator

Montreal International Auto Show 2019 / The Generator
Electrical Bicycles
January 18 - 27, 2019

The Generator is a new dedicated space at the Montreal International Auto Show. Although there are 43 electrical and hybrid cars dispersed throughout various locations at the Show, this particular The Generator space deals with the environment and urban mobility, as well as new technologies. It features about twenty exhibitors and their products and services. It also presents an in-depth program of conferences. You can see and download the conference program (only in French) here.

What particularly attracted my attention, and I believe will attract the attention of many visitors, were the electrical bicycles on display in The Generator zone. They can be used both for the urban and country travel, and one particular design for packages transportation purposes. Notice that in all the GeeBee design bicycle the person is standing. as it is the best position for the spine. In the bicycles with a seat, the person spine always curves quite unnaturally.

Unfortunately you cannot test drive the electrical bicycles at the show. But there are a number of cars, even electrical ones that can be tried at the show. A prior pre-registration is advised. You can pre-register here.

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Location of the Montreal International Auto Show:

Palais des congrès de Montréal

For more information, visit the Montreal International Auto Show website.

All photos in this article @ Nadia Slejskova.

Auto Show 2019: Black Box

Bugatti Chiron

Montreal International Auto Show 2019 / BLACK BOX
January 18 - 27, 2019

For the very first time in its history, the visitors of the Montreal International Auto Show have the opportunity to discover an attraction never seen before The Black Box. Presented in collaboration with the OB Prestige Auto, this section of the show has a especially designed mysterious décor that also incorporates a mix of light and sound.

Black Box displays three exceptional, rare, exclusive and very expensive cars. Two of them rank amongst the fastest cars on the planet, and amongst the most expensive ones as well. The third one was conceived and designed in Quebec. It features superb driving characteristics and spectacular bodywork.

Bugatti Chiron

This is the most expensive vehicle, making its first appearance ever in Quebec at the Montreal International Auto Show. Bugatti Chiron boasts a mid-mounted 8.0-liter, 16-cylinder engine that breathes through four turbochargers. With an output rated at 1,500 horsepower and 1.180 pound-feet of torque, the car can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 420 km/h. Only 500 units of the Chiron will be produced, each one retailing for almost $5 million.

Koenigsegg Agera RS 

Equally spectacular, the Koenigsegg Agera RS currently holds the top speed world record for a production car. It has reaching a velocity of 457.94 km/h in November 2017, in the state of Nevada. The Agera RS is equipped with a twin-turbo, 5.0-liter V8 that develops 1,160 horsepower and 944 pound-feet of torque. The car can also benefit from a power increase to 1 megawatt, which is the equivalent of 1,341 horsepower. With a price estimated at $2.5 million, only 25 units of this super-car were built, and they’re already all sold.

FELINO cB7R 

Designed and built right in Quebec, by the race-car driver Antoine Bessette’s company, the cB7R relies on a 7.0-liter V8 that can produce as much as 700 horsepower. But thanks to its low weight of only 1,135 kilograms, it can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in as little as 2.9 seconds. Felino Cars will build only 10 units of the cB7R, so it will remain an extremely exclusive supercar.

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Location of the Montreal International Auto Show:

Palais des congrès de Montréal

For more information, visit the Montreal International Auto Show website.

All photos in this article @ Nadia Slejskova.

Salon du Livre 2018: 41st Edition

Le Salon du livre de Montréal 2018

Montreal Annual Book Show

November 14-19, 2018

Le Salon du livre - the Montreal Book Fair, is the most popular annual fall gathering that is a must to attend for all the book lovers, not only adults but especially children who love to read captivating stories accompanied by excellent illustrations. This is a not to be missed gathering that is taking taking place at its usual location at Place Bonaventure. The show celebrates our collective pleasure in reading exceptional books. There is no lack of finding just such books that would satisfy all individual tastes and preferences. 

Last year, the Show enjoyed approximately 120,000 visitors. This year, due to the fact that the first day was free for all, twice as many attended on the opening day. So the visitor count is expected to rise. Also, for the first time ever, it was possible to purchase a pre-show pass for all 6 days of the duration of the show for only $6, whereas now the ticket costs $6 per day. This should also increase the number of visitors for 2018.

This year features more than 2,000 authors and more than 1,000 publishing houses. The program offers a number of special presentations, prizes, dedications, meetings with the authors and illustrators, all geared not only to professionals but to regular visitors and even children.

The show is a valuable gathering for Quebec and even international publishing houses, editors, writers and professionals, where contacts and many discussions take place. It is a perfect place to conduct business negotiations and to make publishing and promotional deals. A special area is specifically reserved for such professional encounters.

A visitor might be quite surprised by the great numbers of children attending the show and how attentively they look at book stands and shelves, eagerly opening individuals books and look through them. This by itself is an amazing discovery for those who fear that the electronic world of gadgets is taking over not only our minds but especially those of children, affecting drastically the next generations to come. There are still children who love and read books!

Children form lines and crowd around book writers asking them to autograph books they just purchased.

Some of the book displayed are especially attractive. They catch the visitors' attention as quite unique artistic and architectural creations of their own.

Don't forget that a book is the perfect Christmas gift! There are plenty choices of speciality books this year to satisfy everybody's taste and to make the Christmas holidays so much more memorable!

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For more information, visit the Salon's website.
Read my other article about the show here.

La Grande Dégustation 2018

La Grande Dégustation de Montréal
8th Edition

November 1 -3, 2018

La Grande Dégustation de Montréal is the largest annual wine and alcoholic beverages gathering in Eastern Canada. This year, 230 wine producers and distillers from 18 countries gather to share their passion with the visitors, connoisseurs and professionals, presenting more than 1,300 products, 800 of which are private imports. The event is expected 13,000 visitors, allowing Quebeckers to meet producers who come from all around the world while enjoying a unique tasting experience.

This year, Italy is the special guest of honour. Their kiosks occupy almost half of the exhibition space and offer a multitude of tasting experiences. The wine that is especially honoured this year is Pinot Gris, or Pinot Grigio in Italian. Look for many regional varieties of this wine, and talk to the produces to discover their specific growing and wine producing methods.

Besides italy, there are many other international wine producers with excellent wines to discover and taste.

Gin is also in the forefront this year and many excellent varieties are offered for a tasting.

And of course, their are food and culinary products to taste as well.

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For more information, visit La Grande Dégustation de Montréal website.