The annual LA Auto Show is a smaller affair than those at Detroit, Paris, Frankfurt and Tokyo, but it offers OEMs an opportunity to highlight some of their lesser known technological and design developments.
Being in California, and in the shadows of the Hollywood sign, it’s a show that highlights the power of money as much as the power of the cars. Look out for high end luxury – and what better way to illustrate such wealth than in by reviving the Maybach marque? Mercedes has decided to bring the Maybach name back for a third outing, this time not as a standalone brand but as a sub-brand of Mercedes, along the lines of its AMG operation, to differentiate the very top-end S-Class models.
It’s also a show that’s always highly likely to feature fuel cell vehicles, and this year’s show has certainly delivered on that front. Honda and Toyota both made pre-show announcements, with the former announcing a 2016 launch date for what is still being referred to as a concept car, and the latter announcing the name and launch dates for its production car. Volkswagen is on the case too, with its fuel cell tech appearing in the A7 Sportback h-tron quattro technology demonstrator and the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen HyMotion.
Model updates include the Ford Explorer, the Chrysler 300 and the Mazda6. Cadillac added the ATS to its V-Series range with the ATS-V, and there are notable North America debuts including the new Jaguar F-Type, Mazda MX-5, the Volvo XC90, Kia Sorento, and the Mini Hardtop 4 Door.
NEW MODEL LAUNCHES AT THE 2014 LA AUTO SHOW
BMW GROUP
BMW X5 M and X6 M: Both enjoying their global debuts at the LA Auto Show, the new high performance sports activity vehicle and sports activity coupe fulfil the requirements of drivers seeking high performance, dynamic sports cars, says the OEM. Despite their large size, both have race track performance capability. The X5 M will have a US sticker of US$99,650 including shipping, while the X6 M will clock in at US$103,000.
DAIMLER
Mercedes-Maybach S-Class: The LA Auto Show fell at the same time as the Tokyo show in 2013; this year, it’s on at the same time as the Guangzhou show in China, and Daimler is taking the opportunity to revive the Maybach marque as a Mercedes sub-brand at both events with the unveiling of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. LINK TO PRESS RELEASE
GEELY
Volvo V60 Cross Country: Volvo’s Cross Country models sit between its road cars and its XC range. The company says the V60 Cross Country offers “increased all-road capability and styling to match, the V60 Cross Country brings together a sporty, connected, and comfortable driving experience with the freedom to explore new horizons.” Connectivity is a key theme for Volvo; indeed, the company’s President and Chief Executive, Hakan Samuelsson, gave a lead presentation at the Connected Car Expo which takes place on the sidelines of the LA Auto Show. Starting at US$41,000, the V60 Cross Country will be on dealer forecourts in Q1 2015. LINK TO PRESS RELEASE
MAZDA
Mazda CX-3: Mazda refers to this B-segment vehicle as a compact crossover; the sporty hatchback benefits heavily from SKYACTIV technology under the skin, and the latest evolution of Mazda’s KODO design language for the exterior. FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR MORE
TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
Toyota Mirai: Toyota’s long-awaited fuel cell car will go on sale in Japan in December, and then in Europe and California in 2015. The Mirai (“future”) comes with a 300 mile range and a sub-5 minute refuelling time. Under the hood, the car uses the Toyota Fuel Cell System (TFCS), which combines fuel cell and hybrid technologies. It includes Toyota’s new, proprietary fuel cell stack and the hydrogen is stored in 700bar carbon fibre-reinforced plastic tanks. LINK TO PRESS RELEASE
VOLKSWAGEN GROUP
Volkswagen Golf R Estate: This high performance wagon version of the Golf continues the thinking at Audi, when it launched its first RS model, the RS 6, in wagon form. LINK TO PRESS RELEASE
CONCEPT CARS AT THE 2014 LA AUTO SHOW
BMW GROUP
Mini Citysurfer Concept: The Mini Citysurfer Concept appears to be the latest development in the BMW Group’s philosophy of being not just a vehicle manufacturer but a mobility services provider. A lightweight foldable electric scooter, it is designed to fit into the luggage compartment of the new MINI 3 door, and can run on human power or electric power, thanks to a lithium-ion battery permanently installed in the frame. When activated, the electric drivetrain is capable of a range of 15-25km (10-15 miles) and a top speed of 25kph (15 mph). LINK TO PRESS RELEASE
GENERAL MOTORS
Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 concept: Chevrolet says the Colorado ZR2 concept is “a vision of how Chevrolet could take the all-new midsize truck’s off-road capability to the next level”. The truck comes with the OEM’s new 2.8-litre Duramax diesel engine, which will be available in the Colorado range in 2015. LINK TO PRESS RELEASE
Chevrolet Chaparral 2X Vision Gran Turismo
According to General Motors, this concept car was developed as part of the Vision Gran Turismo project, which celebrates the future of automotive design and innovation. Inspired by the race cars developed in the past by the partnership between Chaparral Racing and Chevrolet, the 2X Vision Gran Turismo uses a 671-kW laser, powered by a pack of lithium-ion batteries, and an air-powered generator to provide 900 horsepower worth of thrust. In the Gran Turismo video game, the Chaparral 2X VGT will enjoy acceleration of 0-60 mph in 1.5 seconds, with a top speed of 240 mph. LINK TO PRESS RELEASE
HONDA MOTOR COMPANY
Honda FCV Concept: Honda’s fuel cell car launch has been quietly delayed by a year, and still remains unnamed. The OEM has confirmed that the production version of its FCV Concept will launch in Japan, followed by the US and Europe, by the end of March 2016. Indeed, Honda has already had a fuel cell car on the road, in the form of its limited run, lease-only FCX Clarity, available only in Japan and California. The FCV, it says, is the continuation of that model. LINK TO PRESS RELEASE
TOYOTA MOTOR COROPORATION
Lexus LF-C2 concept: Group Vice President and General Manager Lexus Division, Jeff Bracken, said at the car’s unveiling: “Celebrates our design identity and kicks it up several notches. Open top, gorgeous at a glance, and just plain fun. This concept gives you a hint of what the future of Lexus design holds.” LINK TO PRESS RELEASE
VOLKSWAGEN GROUP
Audi
Audi prologue concept car: Audi says the prologue provides a look into the future of Audi’s new design form language. On the outside, the company’s quattro spirit shines through in lines and emphasis on the wheel arches; up front the car has a lower wider, more aggressive look to the single frame Audi signature grille, and inside, there’s an evolution of the 3D virtual cockpit, as well as a flexible LED screen for the driver; the front passenger is accommodated too with their own smart touchscreen dashboard interface. LINK TO PRESS RELEASE
Audi A7 Sportback h-tron quattro technology demonstrator: The Audi A7 Sportback h-tron Quattro is a technology study that combines plug-in hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell technology to deliver a 310 mile range. LINK TO PRESS RELEASE
Volkswagen
Volkswagen Golf SportWagen HyMotion: Like the A7 Sportback h-tron quattro technology demonstrator, the Golf SportWagen HyMotion is a fuel cell concept car with a range of 310 miles. LINK TO PRESS RELEASE
