LA motor show 2017 – live coverage
The last motor show of the year is almost upon us, so let's take a look at what to expect this time around. Doors open to the public on 1 December
Welcome to Autocar’s live coverage of the Los Angeles motor show, also known as Auto Mobility. This year’s show looks as exciting as ever, with crucial models for big brands making their respective debuts across the next 24 hours.
At the show we have Autocar editor Mark Tisshaw, and news editor Rachel Burgess, while back in our Twickenham base camp we have online editor James Attwood, senior staff writer Sam Sheehan taking care of the news, editorial assistant Sam Jenkins doing all things social media, and Jimi Beckwith comparing for the live blog. Scroll down to read all the action of this year’s LA motor show.
Remember, LA time is eight hours behind the UK, so while the UK leaves the office for home, Rachel and Tish are readying themselves for a long day of action at the Los Angeles convention centre.
Los Angeles motor show - live blog:
Wednesday 29 November, 1630 (0830 Pacific Time)
The doors of the LA Convention Center are opening soon, so expect a barrage of new metal in a matter of minutes. What's been happening before the doors open, though? We're glad you asked - take a look at what's been going on in the pre-show events:
Infiniti revealed its QX50 late last night; a rival to the BMW X3 and Audi Q5 with a variable compression ratio engine. It’s pegged, again, as a car which could boost Infiniti’s rather loose hold on the European market when it arrives.
Yes, another SUV, but this one’s not for us - Subaru revealed its Ascent large SUV, in production form, ahead of the show. And yes, it’s got a boxer engine, with 256bhp.
Bangle’s back, and his design is as divisive as ever. He’s been working on REDS - an electric city car for China, and he’s been working with Chinese electric truck company CHTC to bring it to fruition.
Rachel’s been chatting with Mercedes and AMG executives, who have confirmed the power outputs of the new CLS 53 hybrid, and the next AMG A45; 429bhp and more than 400bhp respectively. Goodness. Read more about the CLS 53 here, and get the latest on the A45 here.
Bored of the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 already? Chevy’s got it covered, or in this case, uncovered, with the unveiling of the ZR1 convertible ahead of the show.
Toyota will be showing a large, rugged SUV concept. Yes, another, but SUVs are the new whatever-the-last-trend-was, and this one looks like it’ll actually venture off road. If it ever makes it to production. It’s called the Future Toyota Adventure Concept, or FT-AC. Good initials, Toyota.
Los Angeles motor show: the cars
Aria FXE
California-based engineering company Aria is revealing a high-performance concept model in LA, as shown by a single preview image. The picture reveals little other than that the car will have a fixed rear wing and intakes over the rear, suggesting it will be mid-engined.
The drop-top version of BMW’s hybrid supercar has been spotted testing and hinted at a few times now, so a reveal in sunny, eco-friendly Los Angeles fits the model perfectly. It’ll spearhead the facelifted i8 range, following the facelift of its smaller i3 sibling.
Genesis G70
Genesis pulled the wraps off of its rear-wheel-drive G70 saloon in September, but the car makes its public debut at the LA motor show. Despite its imminent arrival in the US, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class rival isn't due to make it to Britain until 2021.
Yes, it's another SUV, but they are the voiture du jour. Infiniti’s QX50 - a rival to the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC - is a close follow-up to the QX50 concept that was revealed at the Detroit motor show less than a year ago.
Despite being leaked earlier this year, we get our first proper look at the most rugged Jeep in the brand’s stable at LA. Expect ferocious go-anywhere ability, throwback looks and a smaller entry-level engine – a 2.0-litre rather than the current car’s 2.8-litre.
Range Rover and Range Rover Sport facelifts
Mild refreshes to the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport have brought a more Velar-inspired front end to each, as well as a hybrid powertrain. They’re two more cars that have been given the big pre-show reveal long ago, but the first in-depth, in-the-metal look we get is at the show.
Lexus' largest SUV, the RX, is about to get even bigger, with the introduction of a three-row version at LA. It'll be available in 350L and 450hL versions, meaning there will be a choice between petrol-only and hybrid powertrains. Rivals include the Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz GLS, as well as the upcoming BMW X7.
Mazda 6 facelift
Mazda's handsome saloon is reaching the mid-point of its life cycle, so it's getting a nip and tuck to keep it competitive with rivals such as the Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat. Mazda has already shown most of the car's front-end styling in a preview image, so it's clear where the tweaks are. There's also a new 2.5-litre petrol engine added to the 6's line-up.
We’ve already had a ride in the next-generation CLS, but we’ve yet to see what it looks like in full. It’ll be one of two new four-door coupés in the Mercedes line-up, with a four-door AMG GT model to be revealed later. Expect the CLS to keep things more on the tame side in comparison.
Porsche 718 Boxster/Cayman GTS
Porsche has given the 718 range a spruce-up with a new performance flagship model. There’s 361bhp on tap - that’s up by 15bhp - thanks to a new intake system and turbocharger tweaks, as well as styling changes to mark it out from the standard 718 Boxster and Cayman. GTS badging seals the deal.
Subaru Ascent
Subaru has revealeed a production-ready three-row SUV called the Ascent at the LA show, fitted a new direct injection boxer engine. Although primarily focused on the US market, the large model's powerplant will likely make it to Britain in future applications.
Toyota FT-AC
Toyota has released a teaser image of a concept machine it will launch at the show. The Future Toyota Adventure Concept is understood to be an off-road SUV-style machine. The firm showcased an urban SUV concept, the FT-4X, at this year's New York show.
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