LA Auto Show 2018: PH guide
The industry turns its attention to the West Coast next week. These are the debutants you need to know about...
In just a few days time the international automotive circus will land in Los Angeles for the last major car show of 2018. This being the good ol' US of A, we can expect no shortage of domestic-only high-performance V8 models and Earth-crushing pick-ups.
But it's also true that almost all of the world's significant manufacturers will be in attendance, typically with something they think will catch the eye of Joe Sixpack. From the long list of attendees we've whittled it down to a dirty dozen. Read on...
Audi R8 facelift
Yes, we've already driven it - but the LA show will provide the general public with its first look at the updated Audi R8. While the changes to the new car are small, this version is significant because it's the last of the current generation and, if rumours are true, the final V10 Audi supercar. Its successor is predicted to go all electric.
Audi E-Tron GT
Right on cue the second Audi model in LA will be a concept to preview a future rival to the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan. Sharing much of its electric powertrain with the E-Tron SUV (above), the lighter GT will be much quicker in order to keep up with a hugely fast segment.
Bentley Continental GT Convertible
No surprises here; the new Conti GT will spawn a drop-top version with the same W12 that's used in the coupe. With underpinnings that were co-developed with Porsche, the convertible should be the sportiest open-top Bentley has yet produced. Excluding the Blowers of the 1920s, of course.
BMW X7
You will already know about BMW's new range-topping SUV because, well, at five metres long it's bloody hard to miss even on a webpage. But the LA show will provide this gargantuan hunk of metal, aka BMW's rival to the Mercedes-Benz GLS, with a public debut before it reaches roads next year.
BMW M340i xDrive
Another Bavarian that you'll be familiar with is the new M340i, which was revealed online earlier this month. The most potent 3 Series not produced directly by the firm's M division (although it delivered a fettling) has a 374hp straight six and all-wheel drive, meaning it'll out-accelerate an E92 M3.
BMW 8 Series Convertible
Yeah, you've also seen this one. But like its siblings, the convertible 8 Series will have its first public showing in Los Angeles. When it reaches roads next year, it'll produces up to 530hp in M850i guise. There will, of course, be an M8 version to follow.
Chevrolet Camaro
Chevvy's pony car will be given a facelift for 2019, with the new look due to make its way to the brand's most PH-worthy variant, the ZL1, later on. Although rarer than a low-mileage Mk2 Micra in Britain, expect the facelifted 650hp Camaro to continue doing a good job of showing up the European alternatives.
Genovation GXE
This electric Corvette - yeah, seriously - was first announced in January, but it'll make its public debut at the LA this month. Over the past few months, its maker, Genovation, has secured a couple of high-speed Guiness World Records and extended the 800hp GXE's range to 175 miles (it was 130 before). One to keep an eye on...
Jeep Gladiator
Jeep will reveal a pick-up truck version of its new Wrangler called the Gladiator. The go-anywhere load-lugger probably won't make it to Britain because our appetite for pick-ups, although growing rapidly, is still not large enough to warrant its arrival. Yet.
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Pro
AMG will pull the covers off an updated GT, for which we shouldn't expect any major aesthetic changes - the last facelift brought little more than a new grille. More interesting will be the introduction of a new GT R Pro model, which will be even more focused on track driving and therefore a bigger threat to the 911 GT3.
Porsche Panamera GTS
The new Panamera GTS is already in the public domain, but LA offers punters the first chance to get up close to the sportiest version of Porsche's second generation liftback.
Porsche 911
The star of the show, without question. We've had plenty of preview stuff in the last few months - including umpteen spy shots and even a ride-along - but LA signals the 992 generation's official unveiling. In case you've missed the build-up, the new model will be the first 911 to feature hybrid power as part of an expanded range of 24 variants.
Rivian R1T
Rivian - you know, the American electric adventure vehicle maker - will reveal an EV pick-up in LA called the R1T. And before you turn your nose up at that, you should know that it's expected to be capable of a sub-three-second 0-60mph time and, more importantly for an adventure vehicle, a 400-mile range.
Not many cars interest me these days to be honest. Everything much the same. Huge cars with matching price tags and massive power outputs that you can't use most of the time.
I've been more interested in the new Fiesta ST than anything else in the last 2 years.
Not many cars interest me these days to be honest. Everything much the same. Huge cars with matching price tags and massive power outputs that you can't use most of the time.
I've been more interested in the new Fiesta ST than anything else in the last 2 years.
if the show should prove of limited interest, the vast and motor-mad "city" will more than compensate
if / when you find yourself there
in particular, some of the automotive museums:
https://www.petersen.org/
https://marconimuseum.org/
https://www.nethercuttcollection.org/
Not many cars interest me these days to be honest. Everything much the same. Huge cars with matching price tags and massive power outputs that you can't use most of the time.
I've been more interested in the new Fiesta ST than anything else in the last 2 years.
Not many cars interest me these days to be honest. Everything much the same. Huge cars with matching price tags and massive power outputs that you can't use most of the time.
I've been more interested in the new Fiesta ST than anything else in the last 2 years.
Your comment was something to the effect of that the current STI is outdated and needs 100 more hp to compete with anodyne, straight-line-heroes like the A45 AMG, when in reality, the STI isn't that much slower, and is a lot more fun to drive than the A45, Golf R, et al
Your comment was something to the effect of that the current STI is outdated and needs 100 more hp to compete with anodyne, straight-line-heroes like the A45 AMG, when in reality, the STI isn't that much slower, and is a lot more fun to drive than the A45, Golf R, et al
But, although I remember saying that, I couldn't tell you `when` I said that. Do you write down negative comments you don't like and keep them so you can quote someone 16 months later?
Feel like I'm being stalked now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DwY0rQ3Zms
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