Pictures from day 1, 16 November, of the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.
Hyundai – Volvo. The Volkswagen group includes Audi.
- The front of the 2012 Audi A7. Beautiful lines and great LED eyeliner.
- Audi always has great interiors and the 2012 A7 is no exception. It’s extremely well crafted and the materials are exceptional. The wood looks like wood!
- 2012 Audi R8 GT Spyder. It exudes supercar sex appeal.
- New for 2012 is the sports version of Audi’s A8, the S8 with the Lamborghini V10 engine.
- The sleek rear end of the 2012 Hyundai Azera is a continuation of Hyundai’s “fluidic” styling language.
- The 2012 Hyundai Azera will give headaches to the Toyota Avalon and Buick LaCrosse. You get more for the money.
- The interior styling of the 2012 Hyundai Azera is an subtle evolution of the interior found in the excellent Hyundai Sonata.
- The 2012 Azera’s plastics are softer and textured. The various tones are complimentary and visually interesting.
- The 2012 Hyundai Veloster is one fun little car. I love the fact that Hyundai took a chance to make a 3-door coupe with very boy-racer styling.
- While it loses some cargo space to styling, I’ve found that styling usually trumps utility in this segment. Still, there’s plenty of room for sporting junk and groceries. Even more with the rear seats folded.
- While the Veloster is mostly an Elantra, the Veloster gets some unique stying touches.
- The interior of the Infiniti G37 Convertible IRL is a lovely place to spend time.
- 2012 Jaguar XK RS
- 2012 Jaguar XK RS rear
- The 2012 Lexus GS350 is the most handsome Lexus to date. Too bad it still looks too safe – at least to me.
- The interior of the 2012 Lexus GS350 is a dramatic improvement to the horrible bland inteiors of past Lexus. Good job!
- The detail of the 2012 Lexus GS350 shows outstanding build quality.
- More detail of the 2012 Lexus GS350 interior.
- The rear of the 2012 Lexus GS looks suspiciously like the rear of the 2012 Hyundai Azera.
- 2012 Lexus LFA . It’s a “bargain” supercar at $350,000+ (depending on your definition of a bargain).
- 2012 Lexus LFA rear
- The 2012 Mazda CX-5 is a cute compact CUV. It seems to have plenty of cargo space.
- There has been much love showered on the new Mazda CX-5. It’s a 5-passenger crossover that is supposed to be lightweight and fun to drive.
- The 2012 Mazda CX-5 has a 2 liter 155 hp direct inject SkyActiv engine. It comes in either front or all-wheel drive configurations.
- The 2012 CX-5 should get between 30 – 33 mpg depending on transmission and front- or AW-drive choices.
- I know this is supposed to be expressive of Mazda’s “Nagare” design language that harmonizes exterier and interior in flowing, pleasing lines and colors. I’m not impressed yet.
- This is the mid-life upgraded cabin for the Mercedes C-Class. in this example, it’s the C250, the new entry-level Mercedes with a 1.8L turbo-4 engine.
- The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 rear. It’s the first time Mercedes has imported a 4-cylinder engine to the US in more than a decade.
- The redesigned front nose and headlights of the 2012 Mercedes C-Class (C250 here) bring it in line with the new corporate styling language.
- 2012 Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series sports 510 hp and a $90k+ price tag.
- 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG interior. It’s a nice upgrade to the “standard” C-Class, but it should be for an extra $30k.
- The 2012 ML63 AMG was one of the big reveals at the LA Auto Show. It has an agressive look of a fat missle in your rear view mirror.
- The 2012 Mercedes ML63 AMG has agressive new body fascia and the quad exhaust means business.
- A side view of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG SUV.
- The new Mercedes-Benz SLK introduced earlier this year is particularly handsome. New for 2012 is the SLK55 AMG.
- This beautiful 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupe was particularly handsome in this metallic dark green. It didn’t photograph well.
- New for 2012 is the Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster. Fantastic low silhouette.
- There is no bad angle for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster
- The red leather interior of the SLS AMG Roadster was beautiful – I didn’t get a chance to run up on the stage to take pictures.
- The 2012 Mitsubishi MiEV will go on sale in selected markets, including LA, in the next few months.
- The 2012 Mitsubishi MiEV will be the least expensive pure EV sold in the US with a base MSRP of $29,125 before Federal and State credits.
- The Mitsubishi MiEV is a rear drive car with the electric motor positioned over the rear wheels. It should be fun to drive!
- Pay no attention to this henious plastic wood trim. It won’t be standard on the MiEV. It has a claimed range of 85 miles. Probably less in normal LA driving.
- 2012 Nissan 370Z front
- 2012 Nissan 370Z interior is looking dated.
- The rear of the Nissan 370Z is still appealing.
- 2012 Nissan GT-R interior
- 2012 Nissan GT-R front
- 2012 Nissan GT-R rear
- A shrink-wrapped 2012 Nissan Juke
- The 2012 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet. Will someone, anyone please buy me? No one is buying this $44,450 thing.
- The interior of the 2012 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is lovely, but you pay for it.
- Nissan did some customized food trucks based on its 2012 NV line of commercial vans.
- The Grilled Cheese Truck handed out great treats to hungry journalists and support staff.
- The 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera before the big US debut
- 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera Front
- 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera rear
- 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera side
- The 2-door Range Rover Evoque is stylish, striking in this color combination and expensive – around $50,000.
- The white roof with the $950 Mauritius Blue Metallic body is striking on this 2012 Evoque Coupe.
- The signature Range Rover floating roof and distinctive styling will make the Evoque one hot SUV here in LA.
- The standard 2012 Evoque has 4 practical doors, but still retains the slick styling of the Coupe.
- Here’s a 2012 Range Rover Evoque Coupe in Fuji White.
- 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid interior
- 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid rear seats
- 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid SEL rear
- 2012 Toyota Camry interior detial. The dash stitching is a nice touch.
- Toyota’s new Entune infotainment system is a big leap forward for Toyota. Here the gentleman successfully synced his iPhone with the system.
- 2012 Toyota Camry rear.
- 2012 Toyota Camry side
- 2012 Toyota Prisu v cargo. You get a lot more usable cargo space than the standard Prius hatchback.
- The 2012 Toyota Prius v has a slightly re-worked interior. It’s still familiar Prius territory.
- The 2012 Prius v shows its heft with its slab sides and squared-off roof line.
- 2012 Toyota Yars 3-door. Cute, but still a rental car.
- The 2012 Toyota Yaris’ interior still looks cheap but it’s a big upgrade from the last generation Yaris.
- The upgraded interior of this 2012 Toyota Yaris sedan with the two-tone scheme looks richer and more inviting than the base version.
- Another peak inside the rakish Veloster. It may not be the fastest in terms of drivetrain and absolute performance numbers; but it’s certainly looks fast.
- 2012 VW Touareg Hybrid
- 2012 VW Touareg Hybrid
- The bloated 2013 Infiniti JX SUV sports some very Japanese styling detail
- The 2013 Infiniti XJ is a big, 7-passenger SUV.
- The interior of the 2013 Infiniti JX has a familiar corporate feel.
- The crowds made it difficult for me to get a good shot of the 2013 Infiniti JX
- There’s no hiding the size of the 2013 Infiniti JX. Maybe that’s the point of it – a large family hauler laden with Infiniti luxury.
- The new corporate face of the 2013 Volkswagen CC (comfort coupe, according to VW). I like the old one better – it was more delicate and refined.
- The interior of the 2013 VW CC is still the nicest interior in a US-spec VW. I understand it’s been a bit decontented for 2013. Too bad.
- The interior of the 2012 VW CC is an exercise in functional ergonomics as well as style.
- The rear of the 2013 VW CC is a bit more bold than its predecessor.
- The 2012 VW CC retains its swoopy, coupe-like styling.
- Anther tese from Audi. Here we have the yet-to-be-available A3 e-tron. It’s a pure electric vehicle.
- Another view of the Audi A3 e-tron. Familiar shape, different drive.
- The Audi e-tron Spyder is stunning from any angle. It has an electric motor in each wheel hub.
- The rear of the Audi e-tron Sypder Concept.
- And yet another picture of the Audi e-tron Spyder Concept. LA rich eco-drivers would suck these up for breakfast.
- Another view of the Audi e-tron Sypder Concept.
- The Jaguar CX-16 Concept hybrid has been given the green light for production. It’s a very exciting and important car both in terms of image and sustainability for Jaguar.
- Another view of the Jaguar XC-16 Concept in White Pearl for the LA Auto Show. It’s pitched as a modern day E-type.
- Another view of the Jaguar CX-16 Concept. It has a 3.0 liter V6 with an electric motor built into an 8-speed automatic transmission. It has 468 hp, 505 lb-ft torque, 0-60 in 4.4 seconds limited to 186 mph.
- The Land Rover DC100 Concept is fantastic in powder blue with a white top.
- The rear of the Land Rover DC100
- Side of the Land Rover DC100. I love its chunky, rugged look.
- The Land Rover DC100 without a top. It’s a great show car, but it will never make it to production.
- This Land Rover DC100 looks like a super fun off-road vehicle. I’d love to drive it in the desert sand dunes.
- I absoltely love the Mazda MX-5 Spyder Concept. It’s the best looking Miata EVER.
- Information on the Mazda MX-5 Sypder Concept.
- The Mazda MX-5 Spyder’s chopped windshield, bikini top and lowered stance is a visual feast.
- The MX-5 Spyder’s flaired fenders and larger wheels inject much-needed testosterone into the diminutive Miata.
- The Mitsubishi iMiEV Sport Air Concept makes its first appearance in LA after its initial debut at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show.
- The Mitsubishi iMiEV has a wild shape – sort of like a stylized New Beetle.
- The rear of the Mitsubishi iMiEV looks like the VW Beetle.
- The extreme cab forward design makes it hard to distinguish the front from the rear of the Mitsubishi iMiEV Sport Air Concept
- The information poster for the 2012 Mitsubishi MiEV
- The Scion FR-S Concept makes its Los Angeles debut. We’ve seen it before, but in person it’s quite striking.
- Let’s hope that the production version of the Scion FR-S stays true to the concept.
- Finally, Toyota has some emotive styling. The Scion FS-R should do well in the market, even if it’s projected to be low-volume.
- The Scion Pit Boss Cartel iQ is a terrific styling exercise.
- Info sheet for the Scion iQ Pit Boss
- The interior of the Scion Pit Boss Cartel iQ
- The Scion Pit Boss Cartel iQ is just fun.
- Subaru finally unveiled its upcoming rear drive BRZ in Concept form. I hope the production version stays true to the concept, but Subaru doesn’t have a good record doing that.
- BRZ stands for Boxer engine, Rear-drive, Zenith. As stupid as that is, Subaru is sticking with it as the name of the new car.
- The Subaru BRZ Concept is the best-looking Subaru in memory.
- The only thing interesting or new at the Volvo booth was the Concept You flagship sedan.
- The Volvo Concept You was first shown in September at the Frankfurt Auto Show.
- The LA debut of the Concept You was its first showing in the US. It’s a bit Chinese wacky and I’m not sure if the Volvo brand can compete with the likes of Mercedes, BMW and Audi.
- The best concept car that could easily be produced: the Volkswagen Beetle R Concept.
- The Beetle R Concept uses the same greasy bits found in the Golf R.
- The Beetle R has a 2.0L TSI engine with 256 hp and 4Motion all-wheel drive.
- This version of the Beetle R sports a 6-speed DSG transmission. The Golf R has a 6-speed manual transmission.
- This is an example of how to inject testosterone into the 2012 Beetle. I’d go for this in a heartbeat. Naturally, it’s a Concept only, not for production. Yet.
- I love the seats in the Concept Beetle R.