RE: PH Blog: PistonHeads at the LA Show

RE: PH Blog: PistonHeads at the LA Show

Friday 18th November 2011

PH Blog: PistonHeads at the LA Show

A first-timer's perspective on the LA Auto Show, with gallery!



The LA Auto Show has always passed me by and though it's not up there in the league of the big European events, or even New York, it's a favourite of Porsche's and several niche specials like the Boxster Spyder, 911 Speedster and 911 GTS have been launched off the back of it.

911 fascinates, Panamera GTS meanwhile...
911 fascinates, Panamera GTS meanwhile...
This year it's a big one though - the all-new 911. We'll be driving this today so stay tuned for the first drive report. As you'll have seen previously I've got my concerns about whether Porsche hastraded soul for technology but one of the other hacks on the trip assures me that, even from the passenger seat, the 991 is all you'd hope it to be. We'll see.

We reach LA on Tuesday night after a delightful two hours in immigration control before hitting the show on the first press day on Wednesday morning. More queuing for accreditation doesn't do anything for my mood but once through the doors the ankle-deep carpeting on the Mercedes standis relaxing and having recoiled in horror from the ML63 I instead concentrate on the C63 Black Seriesand cry inside at the thought I'd had to assign the launch to someone else. What a great looking car. The CLK Black remains one of my all time favourites so we'll see what AMG has cooked up for its spiritual successor.

Jaguar and Land Rover preach to the converted
Jaguar and Land Rover preach to the converted
Walking round the back of the Mercedes stand I realise I've actually crossed into the Jaguar/Land Rover area, the XKR-S Convertible and C-X16 still under their covers but a real buzz about the place. Both brands clearly have big profiles here in California and the stand and the presentations reflect this, the DC100 Defender concept revised for LA and the XKR-S a genuine world debut. The C-X16 looks stunning in its new, Cali-friendly, white paint too.

Over the way from Jaguar I have a quick nose about the Subaru BRZ concept, which looks absolutely stunning. Compact, low slung and brilliantly poised it'll be a much, much more interesting place to put your money than a TT and a lot more relevant than the fun but thirsty Nissan 370Z.

Scion branded Toyota FT-86 Concept
Scion branded Toyota FT-86 Concept
Without the relentless rush of new debuts and press conferences to worry about LA is actually quite pleasant, there being time to - gasp! - talk to people and actually look at the cars. This is a novelty for most hacks for whom motor shows tend to be a fairly unforgiving treadmill of elbow jostling press conferences and bitter fights for press packs and bandwidth.

And it is only when I get to the Scion stand that it actually feels any different from a regular European show. Scion is the opposite end of the Toyota spectrum from Lexus and resolutely 'yoof'. Indeed, anyone over the age of 25 appears to have been quietly escorted from the stand, Toyota taking a leaf out of Mini's book for the relentless flirtation with the smart phone generation. Despite being a few years over the target audience I manage to hang around long enough to have a look at the Scion-branded version of the Toyota FT-86 and a giggle at the iQ Pit Boss, one of a gaggle of mad iQ concepts built for the recent SEMA show.

Another SEMA car, the MX-5 Spyder, grabs my attention next door at Mazda, likewise the fabulous RX-8 race car. With nobody about to talk to I decide to return later.

This isn't the Porsche you're looking for...
This isn't the Porsche you're looking for...
At noon it's time to head over to Porsche's inner sanctum for the world premiere. It's meant to be a secret but word has already spread about thePanamera GTS, launched with a cringeworthy video of four Porsche factory drivers buddying up for some four-up track action. Two are wheeled out for an equally awkward 'chat' with Porsche R&D chief Wolfgang Hatz, nobody in the room at all convinced by the claim that this is the hardcore Panamera built for the track.

The hall next door to Porsche is home to more domestic product and hence a more Stateside vibe. Past Dodge - the Challenger SRT and mean looking Charger black and white are cool but there is little else of interest - and into Ford I get my first look at the Shelby GT500. What a beast! A quick chat with SVT engineering boss Jamal Hameedi reveals disappointingly little but he's clearly happy to let the car do the talking.

Next door to Ford I spot an interesting looking Kia race carand luck out that the English guy close to it is from Kia's race prep outfit Kinetic. I get the low down on the car and the B-spec race series it's built for and wander on.

Jet-lagged and in charge of 550hp...
Jet-lagged and in charge of 550hp...
By this point I am due back at Jaguar for my run round the block in the XKR-S test mule, which I manage to eke out longer than I should have done by distracting my chaperone with car talk. "You're smarter than you look!" he admits when we finally get back.

Returning to Mazda I once again luck out and the random suit I collar to talk about the RX-8 turns out to be Mazda USA's head of motorsport John Doonan. Modest as ever, it takes me all of 30 seconds to slip in the fact I have, just recently, played at being a factory Mazda driver(OK, I milk it...) but he feigns interest, especially in the MX-5 GT car. He then talks me round the RX-8 which, despite appearances, is little more than a silhouette racer. Though it does keep the trademark suicide doors.

Press room is where, sadly, the real action is at
Press room is where, sadly, the real action is at
My second day at the show is a chance to run round and grab photos of the cars I saw the previous day with the newly purchased official PH camera and then I'm off to the press room to upload stories to the PH homepage. And if you were ever under the illusion attending motor shows is a glamorous business take a look at the press room which is, for many journos, as far as they get. This being America they do at least lay on decent refreshments, which is more than can be said for the stingy organisers at Geneva or Frankfurt.

My final run round takes me deep into the bowels of the convention centre where I'd been promised a - literally - underground view of LA car culture. In reality it is a disappointing collection of over-wheeled tat and, it seems, the last resting place of the Mercedes SLR McLaren, several of which are here. I can't get out quickly enough. Next stop Santa Barbara and the new 911.

 
Whoop-whoop, sound of da police
Whoop-whoop, sound of da police
 
The General Lee reborn?
The General Lee reborn?
 
So, is it to be a Subaru BRZ STI...
So, is it to be a Subaru BRZ STI...
 
...or perhaps the Toyota FT-86/Scion FR-S?
...or perhaps the Toyota FT-86/Scion FR-S?
 
Dodge Challenger SRT 392 Hemi
Dodge Challenger SRT 392 Hemi
 
Scion iQ Pit Boss concept from SEMA
Scion iQ Pit Boss concept from SEMA
 
Tuner hall was the land that taste forgot
Tuner hall was the land that taste forgot
 
Arghh, my eyes, my eyes!
Arghh, my eyes, my eyes!
Author
Discussion

Fartgalen

Original Poster:

6,630 posts

206 months

Friday 18th November 2011
quotequote all
General Lee reborn ?! Come on guys. That's a Challenger, not a Charger !

wink

Dan Trent

1,866 posts

167 months

Friday 18th November 2011
quotequote all
Fartgalen said:
General Lee reborn ?! Come on guys. That's a Challenger, not a Charger !

wink
I know, I know! But I couldn't help myself.

the ronin

1,056 posts

210 months

Friday 18th November 2011
quotequote all
So you post a pic of my 680 whp Exige parked alongside an Enzo with the above caption "Tuner Hall the land that taste forgot" .
What are you fukin brain dead or just a a wanna be internet auto journalist ?....What car have you built and drive..?

mickers70

66 posts

179 months

Friday 18th November 2011
quotequote all
Any more pics from the hall with no taste ?

.............. I have no taste paperbag

Santa shout I really want that pursuit car

Morba

621 posts

176 months

Friday 18th November 2011
quotequote all
the ronin said:
So you post a pic of my 680 whp Exige parked alongside an Enzo with the above caption "Tuner Hall the land that taste forgot" .
What are you fukin brain dead or just a a wanna be internet auto journalist ?....What car have you built and drive..?
He was probably right, but the pic used could have been chosen better.

The Danimal

178 posts

154 months

Friday 18th November 2011
quotequote all
Come on... you can't let that fantastic wacky-races-inspired IQ Pit Boss Pass without further explanation... I love it (but I wouldn't want a go in it/or be seen in it).

the ronin

1,056 posts

210 months

Friday 18th November 2011
quotequote all
whistle

Edited by the ronin on Friday 18th November 15:08

Mark-C

5,010 posts

204 months

Friday 18th November 2011
quotequote all
the ronin said:
So you post a pic of my 680 whp Exige parked alongside an Enzo with the above caption "Tuner Hall the land that taste forgot" .
What are you fukin brain dead or just a a wanna be internet auto journalist ?....What car have you built and drive..?
At least he only said it once ..... and used spelling and grammar ....

Frimley111R

15,537 posts

233 months

Friday 18th November 2011
quotequote all
Cool car Ronin. A Lotus legend! beer

the ronin

1,056 posts

210 months

Friday 18th November 2011
quotequote all
Mark-C said:
At least he only said it once ..... and used spelling and grammar ....
Suck my tail pipe chump..

Agoogy

7,274 posts

247 months

Friday 18th November 2011
quotequote all
What is going on with that Scion??
The reflections look a little fake...
Lots of scuplture to the roof and 'hood' and rear diffuser thing.... massive gob in it though...

All in all the look of this Subayota is coming on nicely...

the ronin

1,056 posts

210 months

Friday 18th November 2011
quotequote all
Frimley111R said:
Cool car Ronin. A Lotus legend! beer
I think it's funny how some chump can write this dribble without knowing anything about the cars on display..... This is what auto journalism is now...
So he's off to Santa Barbra now to drive a Porsche that someone else owns....and kiss corporate ass....laugh

the ronin

1,056 posts

210 months

Friday 18th November 2011
quotequote all
Now there really is some ugly st down there and I didn't want my car next to any of it but the reason I'm there is to show off the paint/body work Specialty Car Craft did and maybe answer a few questions about the modifications that can make the Lotus Elise/Exige a better sports car.....

You can't ask the guys cleaning the tires about the compound charger setup or the dual fuel staged injection system questions they have no knowledge of but this is Piston Heads way of reporting so far....

Edited by the ronin on Friday 18th November 15:35

mickers70

66 posts

179 months

Friday 18th November 2011
quotequote all
the ronin said:
Mark-C said:
At least he only said it once ..... and used spelling and grammar ....
Suck my tail pipe chump..
correct grammar,or tinterweb grammar "........" rolleyes

Edited by mickers70 on Friday 18th November 15:44

Mark-C

5,010 posts

204 months

Friday 18th November 2011
quotequote all
the ronin said:
Mark-C said:
At least he only said it once ..... and used spelling and grammar ....
Suck my tail pipe chump..
Errm - no thanks

mickers70

66 posts

179 months

Friday 18th November 2011
quotequote all
mickers70 said:
the ronin said:
Mark-C said:
At least he only said it once ..... and used spelling and grammar ....
Suck my tail pipe chump..
correct grammar,or tinterweb grammar "........" rolleyes

Edited by mickers70 on Friday 18th November 15:44
suck my tail pipe , chump ! spin

Cassius81

280 posts

188 months

Friday 18th November 2011
quotequote all
Not generally a fan of American cars, but that grey Challenger SRT is awesome. Bet it sounds good too...

WhiteBaron

1,393 posts

225 months

Friday 18th November 2011
quotequote all
Cassius81 said:
but that grey Challenger SRT is awesome. Bet it sounds good too...
yes +1

AbarthChris

2,259 posts

214 months

Friday 18th November 2011
quotequote all
the ronin said:
So you post a pic of my 680 whp Exige parked alongside an Enzo with the above caption "Tuner Hall the land that taste forgot" .
What are you fukin brain dead or just a a wanna be internet auto journalist ?....What car have you built and drive..?
I thought that was your car, and agree that that picture is definitely the wrong one to use!

Way to annoy your membership PH!

uncle tez

529 posts

150 months

Friday 18th November 2011
quotequote all
AbarthChris said:
the ronin said:
So you post a pic of my 680 whp Exige parked alongside an Enzo with the above caption "Tuner Hall the land that taste forgot" .
What are you fukin brain dead or just a a wanna be internet auto journalist ?....What car have you built and drive..?
I thought that was your car, and agree that that picture is definitely the wrong one to use!

Way to annoy your membership PH!
Its like talking about someone at a party when there stood behind you. Whoops