While perhaps not as significant as Detroit in the US auto show calendar, LA is known for springing one or two surprises. As you may have
already seen
... We'll be bringing you all the PH-worthy news from the show floor in standalone stories, chipping in with more personal observations on the accompanying
liveblog
and - data allowance permitting - chucking up pics and other random thoughts via social media. Dan is out there covering the show for us; keep an eye on @
PistonHeads
Trent_Dan
PistonHeads_Speedmatters
on Instagram under the hashtag
Here we'll gather together the overview of what's going on at the show and links to the individual stories as and when they come in - keep checking by for regular updates!
Last updated: Wednesday, 1730h
For anybody who had forgotten about the Vanquish, what with the DB11 and the various fancy Vantages flying around, LA is all about reminding people of the Aston flagship. The
Vanquish S
has more power, sharper dynamics and a more aggressive look - what a stunner!
Alfa Romeo
Having been caught in various forms of test disguise, it's now official - the Alfa Stelvio is here! If Alfa is truly to reestablish itself as a true premium competitor to the Germans, this is the car that needs to be good. Think how many SUVs you see in the X3/Q5/Macan mould, after all. The signs from the Giulia are encouraging though, and the Maserati Levante was a thoroughly decent first effort too. More (hopefully) to follow soon!
Audi
With Audi Sport boss Winkelmann having suggested recently that the RS brand range will double in the next couple of years, could LA see the debut of one of those? Perhaps, though we wouldn't bank on it. Instead it's been confirmed that a new A5 Cabriolet will be revealed - perfect for Californian cruising - plus its slightly more interesting S5 counterpart. With 354hp from its new 3.0-litre turbo V6, it's aimed directly at the new Mercedes-AMGC43.
Los Angeles is a really important show for Jaguar; as well as looking forwards with the dramatic new
I-Pace
crossover
, it will also celebrate the past with the
XKSS
unveil
. Yes, much like the E-Type Lightweight, Jaguar will build the 'missing' XKSS chassis numbers destroyed in the Browns Lane fire. Details were announced at New York - LA will be our first look at the car.
Lamborghini
It's official! This time last year we saw the Huracan LP580-2 Coupe at LA; this year it's the turn of its Spyder equivalent. This isn't an LP580-2 Spyder though, insteads the Lamborghini Huracan rear-wheel drive Spyder. Another second or so and it's hit 62mph...
Mercedes-Benz
With all the tech details being released recently (and the first drives happening very soon), there isn't much more to find out about the new AMG E63. Still, it will be the first opportunity to look at it, poke around the interior and so on. Will it look a bit more intimidating in the real world? Can any mention of the car be made without discussing Drif... Oh.
Also on the Mercedes stand is the new Maybach, the S650 Cabriolet. Because why make do with a regular S-Class Cabriolet when you could have one of 300 that cost 300,000 euros?
Panamera Executive models
make their global debut at Los Angeles, further expanding the Panamera range . But PH is rather more excited about the new 911 being shown there, even if it isn't a roadgoing one. Yep, it's time for the 2017 RSR, the ultimate motorsport 911. Porsche has only so far released a sketch and the promise of "yet another world innovation". More details soon!
Subaru 'concept car'
This is one that nobody knows anything about just yet, and it will most likely be an SUV of some kind, but PH is still weird enough to be excited about an unknown Subaru concept car. Perhaps that BRZ Performance Concept has been updated? Is there another STI on the way? We'll have to wait and see.