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Major 5 Debuts Coming to the LA Auto Show

Just like there are three major domestic manufacturers in the U.S., there are three major auto shows: Detroit, New York and Los Angeles. The Los Angeles show opens Friday, Nov. 19, after two jam-packed media days, with major debuts coming.

The Los Angeles Auto Show Media Days will have at least 26 press conferences featuring 20 world and more than 30 North American vehicle debuts. TorqueNews scribe/photographer Patrick Rall will be on the scene. Let’s hope he doesn’t drop dead from all the press conferences (a notorious source of artery hardening food and drink).

Five top models being introduced in LA Auto Show

  1. Chevrolet Camaro Convertible – It’s the Camaro people have been clamoring for since the new Camaro was introduced. Your tax dollars were hard at work designing this baby.
  2. Hyundai - The Elantra Sedan is a looker as photos leaked ahead of time have shown. It gets 40 mpg and has other tricks up its sleeve that will be revealed on Nov. 18.
  3. Porsche – The German manufacturer will provide its first look at the new 911 GTS and Speedster models. Speculation is strong the mystery mid-engine model to be introduced is based on the 918 Spider Concept first introduced at the Geneva Motor Show.
  4. Nissan - The Nissan Murano convertible has to be one of the most unusual vehicles coming out of LA (which is where you might expect unusual vehicles to come from). It will be something most people don’t need – a crossover with a droptop. The Quest minivan, on the other hand, is the most practical. Minivans are back in style with their manufacturers claiming the millennial generation is salivating at the chance to drive them.
  5. Ford - The 2012 Ford Focus will make its debut in Los Angeles. The “D” segment has become white hot again. This will become a key player in the Ford lineup – much more than the Ford Taurus.

Other contenders
Here are other models being introduced during the L.A. auto show press days.

  • Range Rover – The 5-door Range Rover Evoque is basically the baby five-door hatchback in the Range Rover lineup. Will it sell? Maybe in LaLa land, but it remains to be see how it does in the heartland.
  • Saab 9-4X – being called Saab’s first crossover, which doesn’t ring true somehow. The 9-7 wasn’t really an SUV and what about the famous Saabaru – the 9-2? If ever there was a crossover, that was it.
  • Volkswagen – The redesigned Eos gets improvements both rear and front on the outside and some new technology, including automatic dimming headlights. You’ll also be able to raise and lower the roof from your key fob, which is always cool.
  • Fiat – The Fiat 500–Cinquecento is guaranteed to be the most mispronounced car at the show, if nothing else. Its power comes from a 16-valve, 1.4-liter inline-4 with 100 horsepower and either a 6-speed manual or an optional 5-speed automatic. Fiat hopes to sell 50,000 a year.
  • Mercedes-Benz – The CLS63 AMG four-door coupe will be powered by a new 5.5-liter biturbo V8, with twin turbochargers, direct fuel injection and multi-spark ignition, that produces 518 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft. of torque.
  • Audi - The Q5 hybrid will premiere at the LA Auto Show. Crossovers like the Q5 have always been the logical home for hybrids.
  • Mazda - The Mazda5 for the U.S. will come out at the Los Angeles show. Of course, this is something only a family man could get excited about. Rumor has it a six-speed manual transmission will be part of the package.
  • Buick - The Regal GS is for those times you absolutely want to put some zest into middle age. It will have a turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec inline-four that coils up 255 horsepower. That’s a lot of oomph from a little engine.
  • Toyota – Tesla has helped develop an electric RAV4. Until now, electric RAV4 was an oxymoron. The Tesla association, though, should make things interesting.
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