With gas prices, bankruptcies, and plant closures looming large for the Big 3 and their associated suppliers, you might think that this was the year to curl up and take cover. Instead, the car companies are quite resilient and the imports were singing a different tune. Of course if you read the pre-show releases you’d think that you’d be feasting on over 30 World and North American debuts in a glitz and glamour based scene. However for the most part, reserved (like your Aunt Millie in church) is one way to describe the atmosphere during media days at the LA Auto Show. There wasn’t much in the way of big entertainment launches at this year’s show. In fact, this is the last time that the LA Auto Show will be held at this time of the year. In November, the 2007 version will kick off the season in a big way, and no longer will LA LA Land have to play the ugly duckling sister of the Detroit Auto Show by having slim pickins’ on the debut front.
This is not to say that there wasn’t anything good to see or that there was a total lack of excitement, it was just more reserved than usual. There seemed to be two trains of thought at the show - impressive fuel economy and even more impressive performance. These diametrically opposed thoughts actually came together somewhat in the Volkswagen GX3. Personally, this was my favorite vehicle of the show. The G stands for G-force – 1.25 on the skidpad to be precise. The X stands for crossover, and the 3 stands for 3-wheeler. In a vehicle reminiscent of the Tri-Hawk, the two-wheels up front help the stability while the light weight favors performance and fuel economy – 46 mpg. Perhaps the best feature for those that live in traffic congested So Cal is the fact that you’ll register it as a motorcycle and can drive solo in the carpool lane. If VW gets positive response, they claim that it will go into production with an MSRP of under $17,000.
Mercedes-Benz made their North American debut with their latest S-Class vehicles. This was a launch with entertainment value. An acrobatic gymnast was gyrating on a double sash 20 feet above the floor while live acoustic band musicians thumped the drums and plucked the harp in rhythmic coordination with the young lady. As the wraps came off of the two S-Class vehicles on site, the most obvious thing about them from the outside was evolution as opposed to revolutionary design changes. However the S-class continues to set the mark in technology and safety features. New features for 07 include an upgraded Distronic Plus cruise control that can work in stop and go traffic and at speeds up to 125 mph. Also new is the Infra-red Night View Assist that can help drivers “see” nearly 500 feet ahead. The S-Class is powered by an all-new 5.5 liter V8 with 382 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. The S600 will have a mind blowing 5.5 liter twin turbo V12 producing 510 horsepower and 612 pound-feet of torque.
Saleen and Ford teamed up to show off the Saleen Sport Truck complete with trick twin dual exhaust (the truck has been affectionately named Thunder by the Saleen engineers), ubiquitous 23-inch wheels, and aero treatments including a rear diffuser. This truck really hauls with 450 horsepower and can rid your yard of those pesky tree stumps with 500 pound-feet of torque. Speaking of horsepower, Saleen didn’t want to be upstaged by the Bugatti launch of the most expensive and highest horsepower vehicle on the road, so he mentioned that they now have an S7 available with over 1,000 horsepower. Obviously, too much is never enough!
Porsche revealed the Caymen S to the North American landscape and the Cayenne Turbo S to the world. The Caymen S slots nicely between the Boxster S and the 911. With 295 horsepower on tap, you’ll find 60 mph from naught in just a tenth over five seconds. Not only that, but you’ll also get 28 mpg on the highway. On the racetrack it’s quicker than the Boxster, but not as fast as the 911 – just where they wanted it. The Cayenne Turbo S pumps out 520 horsepower and kicks asphalt from zero-to-sixty in just 4.8 seconds. With all that power, brakes were upgraded as well with massive 15” diameter, 1.5” thick, six-piston caliper brakes up front housed within 20” wheels. When the question came up about why so much more horsepower this year, they answered that no one needs a Porsche – they just want one. Apparently over 85,000 wanted one in 2005.
BMW showed off its new M6 to a receptive audience. After all, BMW has had a record year and even outsold Mercedes last year in the US. The M6 is powered by a potent V10 with 500 horsepower and a seven-speed sequential manual gearbox (SMG) that rockets from zero-to-sixty in 4.5 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. It also features the first use of a carbon fiber roof in a production vehicle.
On the fuel economy front, Toyota brought its 2002 European and Japanese car of the year – and newly redesigned for 2007 - the Yaris (Yar as in yard) to the United States proclaiming 34 mpg city and 40 mpg highway. Making its world debut, the Yaris S Sedan was launched here to appeal to a wider variety of customers. With the Yaris coming to market, the Echo will disappear. Toyota is banking on their reputation for quality, the low price point - $10,950 for the liftback, and the need (want?) for more fuel efficient vehicles in this day and age.
Lamborghini showed off their Gallardo Spyder as well as the Murcielago Spyder. Both models were flanked by their hardtop counterparts and fashion models too. Ferrari’s model of choice was the new F430 Pista (also flanked by fashion models in evening gowns). This is the next generation of Ferrari Challenge cars. It will deliver 490 horsepower to the ground while weighing in at a very svelte 2,700 pounds. Bugatti was the testosterone king with the 06’ Veyron sporting 16 cylinders, 64 valves, and four turbochargers. All that mechanical mastery added up to 987 horsepower, greater than 250 mph top speed and a price tag of about 1.2 million dollars each. Maserati had their debut of the Quattroporte Sport GT and also showed their concept Birdcage 75th. Spyker had two cars to debut – the 06’ C12 LaTurbie and the C8 Laviolette. The C12 is a unique W12 powered roadster. The C8 is powered by an Audi aluminum block V8. Finally, Lotus came to the show ready for bad weather with the closed top Exige. The closed body design of the Elise improves the aerodynamics for an even higher performance package.
This year’s Design Challenge – An LA Adventure, was a hard-fought yet fun and innovative competition among the area manufacturer design studios. The judges based the winner by how well it interprets the LA Adventure theme and its appropriateness to Southern California. Entries were submitted by Audi, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Scion, and Smart. The winner was GMC with its “PAD” – an “urban loft with mobility”. Translation – sort of a futuristic multi-media motorhome. All of the entries can be seen on the LA Auto Show website.
Lastly, Kentia Hall showcased aftermarket products, vehicles, services, and vendors that can interest just about anybody. From dragsters, to champ cars, from monster trucks to the bling bling of the DUB Magazine celebrity vehicles, there’s eye candy for any enthusiast.
With over 1,000 vehicles on display, there were plenty of tires to kick. For more information on the show, visit their website at www.laautoshow.com. If you didn’t go to this one, wait until November for the 100th Anniversary of this show. It’s guaranteed to be exciting.
