American brands are all on a healthy revamp with their lines of higher-budget cars. Both Cadillac and Lincoln are sharp and elegant, and moreover original in shapes and uniform as a brand.
JEEP hits a home-run in my view with the Gladiator Jeep-truck. Removable doors and optional cage keeps, motorbike lifts, and high performance dual shocks? Get out of here! That is some good stuff! Tons of room in them too with extended wheelbase and 5 passenger fun configuration!

The Korean firms Kia and Hyundai had a very clear message, and their cars are just getting nicer and nicer in designs, and aren't at the bottom of the CSI anymore either, rather contrary, a very satisfied bunch of owners these days too. Genesis brand is catching on it seems, and people were looking closely at the luxury offerings too.
Motorsports programs extend to avid support for grassroots and minor series globally, now, and even an entry into professional drifting with the Forte sedan under RED BULL flag!

Porsche releases the stunning new 992 platform 911, and is yet another benchmark to all other cars for dynamics. But sort of trending with the times, and gone is the mechanical linkage shift lever, and in place, a toggle switch like all modern cars these days. Cringing traditionalist minds yes, but perhaps when a benchmark car like the 911 goes that route, we shall assume that the days are numbered for old manuals sadly, for us old school sports car fanatics. (Yes 911 will have a manual for the 992 soon, but for how much longer?)

While the 911 sort of shines over all other launches from Germany, VW has a very conservative Tiguan that is all new for the year. I like it.

Jaguar has the new electric crossover called the I-PACE, and boy this is a stunning car!
I want one in gas, but they only offer this in electric, while the new E-PACE is offered in fossil fuel power plants only. Ok, who thought of the name here? It's backwards!

Alfa and Maserati both offer a small SUV that are like monsterized versions of FIAT 500XL, but trust me, mechanically they are as far apart as Ferragamo to Crocs. The quietly aging FIAT 124 and Abarths still seem to have a strong niche of following, and I hope FCA can keep catering to the small but loyal fans of the brand. (and help Mazda retain the MX5 that's built along with it.)

Lexus UX unveils in Southern California quietly, but I can see a lot of fine tuned inert excellence that is the usual Lexus new car. The LC is stunning and GS-F is another superb example of what F brand can package. Still very subdued though at the show floor at LA.

Toyota being a little bit louder this year, shedding the quiet tone of the last few years with the launch of TRD-Edition Avalon, Camry, and 86. Corolla has a clutch pedal manual, and preparing for the grand launch of the A90 Supra soon next year too. I can sort of see the old hands of now-gone Scion brand's excellent product planners and marketing folks going to Toyota, and having something to do with the Toyota label's vitality today.

Honda's booth looked a bit confused, but it is hard to single-out any of the many things they do so innovatively these days. Nissan and Mitsubishi (along with Infiniti) are a bit more coherent these days, but sort of lacks a flagship they can call new this year. Still the NSX and GT-R are omnipresent and are still relevant and strong contenders in a high end Japanese sports car group. Small niche yes, but definitely worthy as a future classic.

Tesla can't really be called a startup anymore, but they now have more competition too as major manufacturers are gearing up for higher number of cars made in electric mode. Also emerging are others too, like the Karma re-emerging strong from what was left of Fiskar, and the all new RIVIAN knocking out a stunning SUV.

As the automotive industry continues to shift towards electric vehicles, Tesla has undeniably played a significant role in popularizing this technology and setting new standards. With its range of electric vehicles, including the popular Tesla Model Y, the company has demonstrated a commitment to combining sustainability with cutting-edge design and performance. One area where Tesla has particularly excelled is in their focus on interior features and user experience. The tesla model y interior, for instance, showcases sleek minimalism, advanced infotainment systems, and innovative design elements that enhance both comfort and functionality. By prioritizing these aspects, Tesla has not only revolutionized the electric vehicle market but has also spurred other manufacturers to elevate their interior offerings and prioritize user-centric design. As competition in the electric vehicle space intensifies, consumers can expect to see an exciting array of options that combine eco-friendliness, technological innovation, and captivating interior experiences, all influenced in part by the pioneering efforts of Tesla.

LA Auto Show isn't just a dealer gathering anymore. Tons of concepts and high-budget floor entertainment, lounges, and interactive stuff, fine arts, and big LED displays too. These combine to make a show that is impressive as any major global auto showcase, and I think it's now a show worthy of visiting from afar.

The post Los Angeles Auto Show 2018 appeared first on Club4AG.

2015 Los Angeles Auto Show - Tomorrow's Technologies Merging with Style

This year marked the 106th year in the history of the Los Angeles Auto Show.
While many of the cars may be similar year to year, this show had an important role for many automobile manufacturers.  Not least of which was to launch the brand new 2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia, which marked strongly, the return of the powerful and emotional branding of Alfa Romeo for the line of Italians.   Alfa as been missing in the USA since 1995 with the last of the 164's rolling off the ships.   While smaller volume of cars like the 8C were discreetly sold since 2008, it isn't till now that the brand had returned with a strong presence.

Also on display at this show was the Aston Martin DB-10 from the Bond film "SPECTRE" a concept car that had a major stunt scene in the film. With much accolades, the new Ford GT, as well as the Mustang 350R were also highlights.  Toyota was again, eager to introduce the Hydrogen-powered Mirai and it's technologies, infrastructure, and the future with a rather elaborate setup of dazzling interactive booth, and accompanied by future mobility cars from the recent idea-councors in Japan.  Cadillac and Jaguar both launched respectively an SUV-Crossover along with Lexus' all-new RX and NX.

On the ever popular gun-fight of sedans, AMG and BMW both brought back their lineup evolving from the last, and Audi sits poised with the evolution of the RS4, S6 and S8.   Lexus introduced the controversial RC-F earlier this year, and at this show, was accompanied by the four door sibling, the GS-F, ready to aim and fire at the Europeans.  Cadillac isn't sitting still either in this segment with the V-series.

Honda delighted us with a surprise gem of a concept hidden behind the big booth that showcased the Mirai fighter, the FCV Clarity.  But the hydrogen wasn't the shocking surprise to most car nuts, but it was the "Project 2&4" a formula style track car with a 1000cc motorcycle powerplant, bolted onto the sexiest carbon open monocoque.

In light of the recent company fiasco, it was a pleasure to see that Volkswagen didn't look at all anemic by any means.  It's usual vibrant display of fantastic cars lined the brightly lit floor too.

There were also plenty of custom show cars and concepts displayed at all sections of the giant triple decks floor space of the LA Convention Center too.
And this year just seemed brilliant for the visitors as well as the manufacturers and the industry that is cars.  We hope it stays this way and continue to inspire folks of all ages to enjoy cars again.

The post 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show - Tomorrow's Technologies Merging with Style appeared first on Club4AG.