With the auto industry rebounding strongly and sales way up across the board, this year’s auto show press conferences were as packed as I’ve ever seen them. In fact, it was standing room only for the vast majority of journalists attending. Strangely enough, this show was going on simultaneously with the Tokyo Motor Show. This conflict used to happen with the L.A. and Detroit shows but they finally moved the L.A. show date to avoid conflicts. You’d think that they would have had this figured out by now!
In any case, lots of manufacturer back-slapping of themselves led to numerous new models that were typically more fuel efficient, had more power, and certainly had an increase in on-board technology. Without further delay, let’s take a look at some of the highlights.
BMW made their world debut of the new 4 Series Convertible. Larger than a 3 Series; the 4 Series offers a choice of three engines – two of which are gasoline (either four or six-cylinder) and one four-cylinder diesel. Power outputs range from 184HP to 306HP. The three-part folding hardtop opens by the push of a button in only 20 seconds and has acoustic insulation to make covered motoring very quiet.
BMW also made their US reveal of the production i3 and i8 models. The i3 is a boxy looking 100 percent electric vehicle; however there is an option of a two-cylinder engine to increase range. One unique manufacturing aspect of this car is that the passenger compartment is made entirely of a carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The i8 is a plug-in hybrid with sensational styling not too far removed from their previous concept car. It’s listed as a 2+2 configuration but evokes the lines of a modern rendition of a BMW M1 sports car. Zero-to-sixty takes a scant 4.4 seconds and this vehicle will also get about 94 mpg! That mpg figure is based on the EU test loop.
Chevrolet was very excited to debut the 2015 Colorado mid-size pick-up truck. This truck will go on sale in the fall of next year and is designed to out-tow everything else in its class with a 6,700 pound towing capacity. Engine choices include an I4 or V6 for 2015 and the following year an I4 turbo-diesel will be available. As expected, technology will feature heavily here including an 8-inch touch screen, next generation OnStar, MyLink, multiple USB connectors, and of course, navigation.
Jaguar and Land Rover held a joint press conference to debut the F-TYPE Coupe and the Range Rover Long Wheelbase Autobiography Black edition. Last year's debut of the gorgeous F- TYPE convertible drew rave reviews. This year's coupe is certainly equal in elegance and superior in performance. Strangely enough, manufacturers usually debut a coupe first and then go convertible later, and this has been done in reverse. I don't recall this happening before so if you can give me an example, I'd like to hear from you! In any case, the particulars on the coupe are that it comes in three versions - the F-TYPE Coupe, F-TYPE Coupe S, and the F-TYPE Coupe R. The TYPE R features a 550 HP engine and launches hard from 0-60 mph in four seconds flat. The F-TYPE Coupe starts at $65,000 but looks more expensive than that.
The market for ultra-luxury SUVs continues to draw buyers so Land Rover decided to not only take advantage of their status in that market, but also to debut their latest offering in the glitz and glamour of the backdrop of Hollywood. For those celebrities that are getting chauffeured instead of doing the driving themselves, this limited-to-100 produced Range Rover comes with an additional eight inches of rear legroom.
Nissan had two debuts to show off. The 2015 GT-R made its world debut at Tokyo the day before but they decided to get the world's fastest man to help pull off the wraps here in L.A. Usain Bolt is no stranger to speed with his multiple Olympic gold medals. Bolt is known as Nissan's “director of excitement” and is the proud owner of a gold GT-R. The new GT-R NISMO will be available in the middle of 2014 and is the world's fastest production car at the Nurburgring covering the black forest circuit in just a fraction over 7:08. The other amazing number is 0-60 mph in 2 seconds flat!
The other hot rod making its debut is the new Sentra NISMO Concept. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this make it to dealer showrooms soon. The Sentra is already a good looking car; it just needs the additional horsepower that the NISMO edition would provide. In this case, power would be sourced from the Juke NISMO RS with an expected 240+ HP on tap from the sequential direct-injected turbocharged and intercooled DOHC engine.
Maserati had a couple of cars on tap to display. Most of the time was spent on the new Ghibli. This car is sort of like the little brother to the full size Quattroporte. Sportier in nature because of its smaller size, it is also available in AWD. In AWD, the 404 HP V6 propels this sexy Italian work of art on wheels from zero-to-60 in 4.8 seconds.
For the Quattroporte, there is a new Ermenegildo Zegna version that has special edition paint, wheel colors, and silk interior. Imagine wearing a hand-tailored fine Italian suit that doubles as your mobile office. Exquisite interior and exterior design touches highlight this model in an otherwise untouched performance package.
Mercedes-Benz showed off a sensational concept car known as the AMG Vision Gran Turismo. This car is so sleek; it’s like a liquid sculpture. Whether it gets built or not isn't known at this time but you can expect to see it racing around in the Gran Turismo® 6 racing game on PlayStation® 3 starting in December.
Also on display was the final edition of the AMG SLS gullwing sports car. While production ends on that, you can be sure that Mercedes is already working on some sort of vehicle to fill that niche in the future. Speaking of which, the future is here now with the debut of the Concept AMG GLA45 SUV. A compact SUV that doesn't compromise on amenities or technology, the GLA 45 also has performance chops commensurate with the AMG name. Specifically, the GLA comes with the world's most powerful 4-cylinder turbo at 355 hp.
Honda showed off its next generation fuel cell electric vehicle concept known right now as the FCEV. The plan is to make this a production car for the model year 2015. The sleek and swoopy lines hint at the aerodynamic efficiency of this car. Advancements in fuel cell technology have allowed this car to place the entire fuel stack within the “engine compartment” opening up space for a five-passenger car. Furthermore, the FCEV is expected to have a 300 mile range with fill-ups taking only three minutes.
Honda announced that they will collaborate with GM on developing future fuel cell technology. They were also proud to have the Accord on the Car and Driver 10-Best list for the 28th time.
Ford raised eyebrows in the crowd with their new Edge concept featuring a fully assisted parking aid. This technology allows you to exit the vehicle and have it park in a vertical (non-parallel) parking spot on its own! If someone parks too close to you where you can’t enter the vehicle in its parking space, the Edge will also exit the parking spot on its own via remote control.
Ford continues its record run with the F-series truck being the best seller for 36 consecutive years and Focus being the best-selling car in the world.
Subaru showed off the highly anticipated 2015 WRX that features an all-new engine and chassis. Powered by a turbocharged, direct-injected, boxer engine with 268 HP and 258 lb-ft of torque, the WRXs street credibility continues with the impressive AWD performance credentials this car is known for. Two transmission choices include either a six-speed manual or a CVT.
Audi launched the new family of A3 vehicles comprised of three body styles, five new unique engines and seven variants. The A3 sedan will see a low base price of $29,900 and include features such as a 4G LTE hot spot, leather, panoramic moon roof and picture navigation. It will be joined later in the year by a cabriolet, TDI clean diesel, and plug-in hybrid.
Porsche’s world debut of the new Macan compact SUV was made before a standing room only audience. According to Porsche, “The Macan's agility, grip and steering precision are easily the best in class.” The Macan will come in two models starting in late spring of 2014 as a 2015 model year – each powered by a twin-turbo V6. In the Macan S, power output is 340 HP while the Macan Turbo puts out 400 HP. Pricing for the Macan S will start at $49,900 while the turbo will retail for $72,300. Porsche also made its auto show debut in North America of the 918 Spyder. This plug-in hybrid produces a prodigious 887 HP!
There was plenty to see this year and it was certainly a bountiful feast for the eyes. If you’re in the market for a new car, you certainly have plenty of choices out there. Do your research and by all means take a test drive before you buy. Happy motoring!
| The Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo 6 super car concept sports sensational styling and performance. Drive it in Grand Tursimo 6 on the new Sony PlayStation 3 starting in December. | |
 Photo by Larry Mason |
| World’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, strikes his familiar pose in front of the 2015 Nissan GT-R NISMO. | |
 Photo by Larry Mason |
| From concept to reality, the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid is the ultimate cutting edge driving machine. | |
 Photo by Larry Mason |
| Time marches on and technology keeps advancing. A great example of that is the new Honda FCEV concept that should make it to production by 2015. | |
 Photo by Larry Mason |
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Larry Mason