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AutoMobility, the Los Angeles Auto Show, now holds seminars and previews for media and supplier/manufacturers in the business from Monday through Thursday of the yearly event. This year’s 2017 LA Auto Show began December 1 and continues through to the 10th of the month.
This year, there were very few “car” introductions. You remember sedans, convertibles, coupes, wagons? They’ve gone the way of the conestoga in favor of crossover and sport utility double-box vehicles. While there were a few sedan/coupe offerings on the table this year, mostly it was CUVs, SUVs and even the return of a bus that kept the public interested.
Even before the floors opened for media days, Infiniti used Tuesday evening to present its QX50, a midsize luxury SUV with an interesting technical premise: It is the first mass market use of a variable compression engine, technology Infiniti’s been developing for about 20 years. This technology adjusts compression ratio to optimize power and efficiency, according to Infiniti. The result is the power of a 2-liter turbocharged engine mated to the efficiency of a 4-cylinder diesel, the analogy claimed.
Wednesday began the trek through product introductions. Some of the highlights are BMW’s i8 electric roadster and coupe, the new Mazda6, Porsche’s latest bare-bones 911T - and Porsche’s Panamera hatch. Mazda also showed its delectable Vision Concept coupe, a halo car if ever there was one. Sure hope they decide to build it as a limited run?
Nissan had two press conferences: On Wednesday they presented a new Kicks crossover that (sadly) replaces the Juke, while on Thursday Nissan promoted its tie-in with the newest Star Wars film, parading a huge Armada with storm-trooper guardians.
One of the most highly anticipated premieres was the unveiling of Jeep’s newest Wrangler, which confirms Jeep’s popularity - for good reasons. All the important items were updated, but Wrangler doesn’t stray from its heritage. This Wrangler is as rugged and capable as Jeep owners expect it to be.
Volvo’s XC40 compact SUV made its North American debut in Los Angeles, but even more to the point is the model’s new “subscription access” program, which allows drivers to “subscribe and drive” for an all-inclusive price. Volvo’s subscription service covers everything but fuel on the Volvo XC40 SUV and can be secured for the cost of $600/month, which includes full vehicle insurance, maintenance and even the vehicle downpayment. The price increases by $100 for the upscale XC40 T5 AWD R-Design, costing $700 for the 24-month subscription service term.
Volkswagen’s ID Buzz, which joins the all-electric VW ID sedan and ID Crozz SUV in the marketplace, was an eye-catcher in bright yellow and white. Although initially introduced at Pebble Beach’s famed Concours d’Elegance in August, it was the first time the buying public has had a chance to see and admire the new microbus. While the ID sedan and SUV will be available in 2020, we’ll have to wait until 2022 to relive Woodstock in this bus.
Last year Toyota introduced the C-HR, a light crossover that is just now coming to market. This year’s tease is the FT-AC crossover concept that, while still technically not ready for production, sure looks like it’s ready to tackle off-road demands. With its long wheelbase and purposeful looks, it’s ready to tackle the competition. Sure hope it’s available in showrooms next year!
Steve Saleen, whose supercars have been road-racing champions, has produced a new Saleen 1 that continues the legacy of the Saleen 7, albeit with an inline four-cylinder engine that’s a Saleen design. The turbocharged power plant has 450 horsepower, thanks to Saleen 1’s lightweight chassis and carbon fiber body. This vehicle is slated for 2018 production.
Corvette has produced its first convertible ZR1 and showed it to admirers, placing it far enough away so that nobody drooled all over the car. This one will have an LT-5 6.2-liter V-8 engine with 766 horsepower and 715 lb-ft of torque. Ready for a 200-mph Chevy?
Chris Bangle, former design chief of BMW, is back with a very strange vehicle called Redspace. Tall, unwieldy, yet able to turn from being a vehicle into being an office, this inner city-intended vehicle drew many looks, few admiring.
Kia trotted out its seven-passenger 2019 Sorento and showed its all-electric Niro at the show. The former is intended for 2019 sales, while the latter should be coming to showrooms a bit earlier than its larger brother.
Mercedes-Benz had a typically large display and chose Los Angeles to debut its third generation CLS coupe sedan. It also showed a delectable Project One coupe that had everyone swooning.
Those of us who have been covering auto shows for a while remember the weight of all the press kits we once received. The only ones worth keeping these days are flash drives, for the most part, to give information and photography. And then there’s Jeep, who did a full-on box of goodies - most of which was info integral to this vehicle.
