There’s no shortage of cool cars at the 2026 Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto. Here are 11 must-see vehicles – from rare exotics to micro cars to F1 race cars - that you likely won’t spot on the road anytime soon. The show opens to the public Friday and runs until Feb. 22.
The ugliest and funkiest cars at the Toronto auto show
Bugatti Mistral
The Bugatti Mistral is the fastest open-top production car in the world and can hit 100 kilometres on hour in 2.4 seconds. Handcrafted in Molsheim, France, this two-seat mid-engine roadster is the last model fitted with Bugatti’s legendary eight-litre quad-turbo W16 engine that produces a whopping 1,578 horsepower. Its striking and sleek design includes four-stripe front lights and twin arrow-shaped rear LEDs that point to an illuminated Bugatti emblem. This is one of only 99 units that exist worldwide.
The Bugatti Mistral on display during media day at the 2026 Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Pagani Utopia
This made-in-Italy Pagani Utopia hypercar will leave you breathless. Named after company founder Horacio Pagani, the Utopia is a stunning, hand-crafted beauty – a work of art with exquisite details and power to boot. At its heart is an AMG-developed 852-horsepower twin-turbo V12 engine. Only 100 Utopias will be produced at a price of US$3.5-million. So far, two have been delivered to Canada.
The Pagani Utopia on display during media day at the 2026 Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto.Jordan Chittley/The Globe and Mail
1958 BMW Isetta
The BMW Isetta may be small in size, but it’s personality is larger than life. Produced from 1955 to 1962, it is one of the most recognizable micro cars ever built. There are no side doors – to enter, open the single front-hinged door and the steering wheel and gauges swing out as the door opens. It was available with four wheels like this one, but in the U.K. it had three wheels and was licensed as a motorcycle so it was cheaper to insure. BMW produced 160,000 units - approximately 3,500 were imported to Canada. In 1958, it cost $1,078. Today an Isetta could fetch anywhere from US$30,000 to US$75,000 for a mint-condition model.
Jordan Chittley in the driver's seat of the BMW Isetta.Mark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
1957 Messerschmitt KR200
If you’ve never heard of Messershcmitt you’re not alone. This German company started out making fighter jets for the Second World War. Later, they retooled to make sewing machines. After that came cars including this KR200. Weighing only 230 kilograms, it had tandem seats and a 191-cc Sachs & Fichtel single-cylinder two-stroke engine that produced seven horsepower. Fewer than a dozen Messerschmitts are registered in Canada. This one belongs to Ontario car collectors Kenn and Donna Poore. Other famous owners included Cousin Itt from The Addams Family and Elvis Presley. All of the micro cars on display are owned by the Poores.
Jordan Chittley and Petrina Gentile inside the 1957 Messerschmitt KR200 with owner Kenn Poore off to the side.Mark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
McLaren W1, P1 and F1
While the all-new McLaren W1 is a must-see supercar, it wasn’t alone. Alongside it, were its legendary ancestors the F1 and P1. The F1 came out in 1994. Only 106 were built and the one on display is No. 1. The last McLaren F1 that sold at auction brought in US$24-million. The P1 came out 20 years later – only 375 were built. This McLaren W1 was launched in October 2025 to mark the 50th anniversary of McLaren’s first Formula 1 World Championship win. Only 14 of the McLaren W1 are coming to Canada at a price tag of US$2.2-million before options. If you want one, you’re out of luck, they are already sold.
The McLaren W1 on display during media day at the 2026 Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto.Jordan Chittley/The Globe and Mail
The first example made of the McLaren F1 on display during media day at the 2026 Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto.Jordan Chittley/The Globe and Mail
Cadillac F1 Livery
This is a replica of Cadillac’s first ever Formula 1 car. The Cadillac F1 livery was revealed in a splashy and lavish video during the NFL’s Super Bowl LX weekend. The commercial made a bold statement comparing its F1 livery to the American moon landing and cost US-$20 million. Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas will in the driver’s seats as the F1 season starts in Melbourne on March 8.
The Cadillac F1 Livery on display during media day at the 2026 Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto.Jordan Chittley/The Globe and Mail
Audi R26
F1 enthusiasts will also want to check out Audi’s F1 R26 concept car, which had its North American debut at the CIAS. Its aerodynamic and lightweight construction with a striking titanium, carbon fibre and lava red livery and quattro all-wheel drive is designed to showcase the German brand’s new visual identity as it enters the Audi Revolut F1 team on the starting grid next month.
The Audi R26, which is similar to what will race in R1, on display during media day at the 2026 Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto.Jordan Chittley/The Globe and Mail
2026 Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 Roadster
This Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 roadster is a head-turner. It’s red-and-black body includes exquisite details such as tiny Maybach emblem monogrammed all over the hood. Even the illuminated radiator grille is engraved with Maybach lettering and rose gold accented headlights. Inside, crystal white Nappa leather upholstery is embroidered with a distinct kaleidoscope design. While it doesn’t have a V12 engine, the four-litre twin-turbo V8 delivers 577 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. This two-seat roadster rings in at $362,148.
The 2026 Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 Roadster on display during media day at the 2026 Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Project Arrow
For a sense of Canadian pride, check out the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, or APMA, two bold electric vehicle concept cars dubbed the Project Arrow Vector and Borealis. Both are an evolution of the first-generation Project Arrow prototype that launched in 2023. The Vector has a 3D-printed chassis, more power and a longer electric range; while the Borealis looks further into the future of mobility and self-driving vehicles. Both are designed to showcase Canadian innovation, technology and engineering and design capabilities. The concepts came to life thanks to more than 80 Canadian automotive suppliers and partners.
Project Arrow Vector on display during media day at the 2026 Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto.Jordan Chittley/The Globe and Mail
The Project Arrow Borealis concept car on display during media day at the 2026 Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail