LA-LA- Vroom!
Our top 10 must-see vehicles at the L.A. Auto Show
LOS ANGELES — Reflecting its long-standing reputation as one of the most environmentally conscious cultures in the U.S., California’s annual Los Angeles Auto Show used to be known as the “green car” show on the circuit.
But with both domestic and import car brands continually showing up here on the West Coast with world debuts of everything from green to mean — and anything in between — the L.A. event is verging on replacing Detroit as the most relevant American auto show.
Until that day comes, though, alphabetically, here are our top 10 debuts from this year’s L.A. shindig:
Audi Prologue Concept
Whether you like it or not, you better get used to the way the new Prologue looks. The full-size two-door concept coupe previews what every new Audi coming down the pipeline will look like, apparently starting with the 2016 Audi A8 luxury sedan. From its angular and piercing front end to its Kim Kardashianlike rear, the Prologue is unmistakably a product from the German automaker, but in a more contemporary and sophisticated form. To be honest: we’re just happy that somebody has finally decided to take on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe in what has been to date a class of one. 2016 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe and Sedan
We’ll have to wait to get our hands on a final production version and wring it out properly on a closed circuit, but the latest challenger to the BMW M3/4’s stranglehold as the king of compact supercars — the new 2016 ATS-V Coupe and Sedan — just may usurp the German legends. The new high-performance ATS-V certainly comes well prepared. How does a 455 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque, twinturbocharged 3.6-litre six-cylinder gas engine sound? This, according to its makers, enables the ATS-V to scoot from rest to 96 km/h in just in 3.9 seconds and top out at 298 (hey, let’s call it 300) km/h. Sounds sweet to us. 2016 Honda HR-V
After launching in foreign markets as the Honda Vezel, the subcompact Fit-based HR-V is finally making its way to Canada. And for those who have been moaning the demise of the 1990s Civic Shuttle wagon, the Mexican-made HR-V is your dream come true. The HR-V has a 1.8-litre four-cylinder gas engine that makes 138 horsepower with the pick of either a six-speed manual or CVT. Either front- or all-wheel drive is available, but the six-speed is only available on FWD versions. Given the demand for small-and-tall crossovers thee days, the HR-V looks like a sales slam dunk for the Japanese automaker.
Lexus LF-C2 Concept
Toyota’s premium Lexus brand is desperate to play with the big German dogs at Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Sure, Lexus sells plenty of RX crossovers for buyers looking to save trips to their dealers for uncalled for servicing. But when it comes to the rest of the Lexus lineup, few models are considered over the Teutonic competition. But the new Lexus LF-C2 Concept — a thinly-veiled precursor to a droptop version of the recently released Lexus RC hardtop coupe — is yet another excellent example of Lexus taking the fight to the Germans. 2016 Mazda CX-3
Sliding underneath the existing Mazda CX-5, the new 2016 CX-3 small crossover is built on the same platform as the forthcoming 2016 Mazda2 subcompact hatch. Also like the new 2016 Honda HR-V, Mazda’s CX-3 will sell well, based on the current high demand for these types of vehicles that sit a little higher than the typical small hatch, as well as offering AWD. Where the Mazda cute-ute has it all over the Honda cute-ute in spades is in the CX-3’s sophisticated exterior styling and more upscale interior. Audi Q3 buyers on a budget should take a look at the new CX-3. Seriously. 2016 Mercedes-Maybach S600
This time around, MercedesBenz is being more practical (and hopefully for its owners at parent Daimler, more profitable) than the ill-fated 1997 to 2012 Maybach super limos. The new 2016 Mercedes-Maybach S600 is unashamedly an extra-long-wheelbase version of the redesigned S-Class that went on sale last fall. There’s an interior that looks like a five-star hotel suite, with the requisite business-class aircraft thrones in the back. And abandoning the idea of taking on the $400,000-plus RollsRoyce Phantom, Mercedes-Maybach S600 pricing starts at under $175,000.
Scion iM Concept Except for its Subaru-designed FR-S sports car, Toyota’s Scion brand has a virtually unsellable lineup, made up of a geeky Smart ForTwo wannabe (iQ), a pair of aging and soulless small hatches (xD, xB), and a coupe that no one knows exists (tC). The new iM Concept, which has already been confirmed to go on sale in Canada for next year, is essentially a rebadged European Toyota Auris. The goal is to halt Scion’s years-long sales slide. Hey, no pressure. Shelby GT350 Mustang
You know it’s special when Ford is willing to leave its name off a Mustang. And, believe us, the new 2016 Shelby GT350 Mustang is something special. Completely gunning for the Chevrolet Camaro Z28, the track-ready Mustang, bearing the name of the late Texas chicken farmer/racer/Cobra-maker, comes to the fight armed with a “more than 500” horsepower naturally aspirated V8, high-performance suspension, aero-bodywork and enough powertrain goodies to allow Ford to call the Shelby GT350 Mustang the most “track-focused” Mustang ever.
Volkswagen Golf R Wagon
According to a Volkswagen Canada representative we tracked down here at the L.A. show, please don’t start walking into VW dealers bugging them when the new 296 horsepower, allwheel-drive Volkswagen Golf R Wagon can be delivered to your driveway. If, and it’s a big “if”, the high-performance Golf station wagon ever makes it to North America it may take until 2017. Maybe. Perhaps. Until then, fans can enjoy the unicorn of small wagons here on the L.A. auto show floor.
2016 Volvo V60 Cross Country
We have to hand it to Volvo. After getting skewered for dropping its V70 wagon in 2010, the Chinese-owned Swedish brand brought back the wagon — a body style the automaker built its reputation with for decades — in the form of last year’s V60 Sport Wagon. But still, in a market where crossovers rule, V60 sales have not exactly been stellar. The similarly sized Volvo XC60 crossover outsells the V60 Sport Wagon about four to one in the U.S. So now we have the new 2016 Volvo V60 Cross Country, a crossover-wannabe version of the V60 wagon that’s been given the fullon Subaru Outback treatment. Hey, at least Volvo tried to sell us a wagon.
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