Cool new cars unveiled at the LA Auto Show held at the Los Angeles Convention Center.The show is open to the public until December 9. The show is known for green vehicles and environmental innovation, but this year, the spotlight is also on sports cars and new technology.
BMW presents for the first time in North America its plug-in hybrid convertible sports car, the i8. The i8 Spyder Concept is a two-seat roadster version of the fixed-roof i8. A production version is likely within the next few years. It has the same 354-hp gas/electric plug-in power system as the fixed-roof i8 seen last year in "Mission: Impossible—Ghost Protocol."
Jaguar F-Type is shown in the Black series, with black accents and trim. This car will begin production in the 2014 model year, and the standard model will have a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 producing 340 hp. The estimated price starts at $69,000. The F-Type S has the same engine, but comes with 380 hp and a price tag around $81,000. The top trim level is the F-Type V8 S, which will have a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 with 495 hp, for $92,000.
The Lexus LF-LC Concept makes its North American debut at the LA Auto Show. The 500-hp Lexus LF-LC Blue Concept is painted Opal Blue, in reference to the semiprecious opal stone of Australia. It comes with the Lexus Hybrid Drive with high energy battery pack and an Atkinson cycle combustion engine.
The Mercedes EnerG Force concept has an electric drivetrain fed by a hydro-tech converter hydrogen fuel system. Mercedes says the concept’s hydrogen system has a 500-mile range. It also has a topographical scanner that maps the terrain and adjusts the vehicle’s damping and spring rates for optimal performance.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black series is a coupe with a 6.3-liter V-8 and 622 hp. It has a top speed of 196 mph. The design is inspired by the SLS AMG GT3 race car. Mercedes-Benz said the car will go on sale next summer and although the price hasn't been released, but expected to be near $300,000.
Mini's new Clubvan is based on the Clubman, but is being offered as a commercial van. The back seats are out, and this version has white windows advertising a locksmith business. It's expected to go on sale for the 2013 model year with a price starting at $26,000.
Porsche unveiled a bigger and lighter version of the Cayman at the L.A. Auto Show. The midengine coupe has a redesigned platform offering better weight distribution. It's expected to go on sale in North America next year with prices starting at $53,550 for the base Cayman and $64,750 for the Cayman S.
The new 2013 Volkswagen Beetle convertible, it comes with three engines, the 2.5-liter five-cylinder, the 2.0-liter turbo four and the popular 2.0-liter TDI four. Pricing starts at $25,790. VW is also offering decade-specific models, for the '50s, '60s—which features sky-blue paint—and the '70s, in brown.
