2018 Los Angeles motor show: live updates and pictures
The final major motor show of 2018 is under way - here's all the new metal as it appears
Welcome to Autocar's extended coverage of the 2018 Los Angeles motor show, the last major show of the automotive calendar.
This year's show officially opens its doors on the 30th of November, with a varied mix of SUVs, V8s and electric cars due to be revealed at the uniquely Californian event. Manufacturers including Porsche, Mazda, Mercedes and Audi are all in attendance, with announcements expected throughout the week.
Read to catch up on all the news as it breaks from the show, as well as insight and comment from our reporters on the ground.
Wednesday 28 November, 12.00
While the show doesn't officially open until the 30th, the last week has already seen a flurry of announcements, culminating in last night's official unveiling of the eighth-generation Porsche 911.
News editor Lawrence Allan says that lots of purists are up in arms because the new 911 won't be available to order with a manual gearbox for about another twelve months. "Perhaps those purists should put their money where their mouth is? Over 85% of 911s globally are sold with a PDK."
The other major overnight reveal was the all-new Mazda 3, which will be coming to the UK in hatchback and saloon forms. The hatchback appears to closely follow the kai concept, which made its debut at the 2017 Tokyo motor show.
"Of the night's two reveals, we all know which one most people are excited about - and understandably so" says Digital Editor Rachel Burgess, "but it’s the Mazda3’s design which is arguably the more original of the two..."
Bentley, meanwhile, announced its drop-top Continental GTC ahead of the show. The convertible is just 0.1sec slower to 60mph than the coupe, despite weighing an extra 160kg. Customers can also spec their fabric roof in tweed for the first time.
A newcomer to LA, electric car startup Rivian announced two models before the show officially began. The R1S is a seven-seater SUV built to compete with a Range Rover on size, and a Tesla Model X on range, with a promised 420 miles per charge from the highest capacity 180kWh battery pack.
Perhaps more interesting, though, is the R1T - a go-anywhere pickup truck that runs on the same 'skateboard' chassis. With electric motors powering each wheel meaning no need for differentials or driveshafts, the extra space has allowed for clever configurations that unlock more storage for drivers.
And finally, Italian design house Pininfarina announced the latest developments on its automotive arm's debut hypercar. The PF0 will be one of the fastest road-legal cars ever built, with an 1800bhp electric powertrain designed with help from Rimac. A '75% complete' model was shown to the motoring press ahead of a public unveiling at next year's Geneva motor show.
LA motor show: What's on display
Audi R8
The facelifted version of Audi's mid-engined supercar is set to make its public debut in LA.
The German brand has already revealed a series of mid-life updates for the R8, including exterior revisions, a power boost and tweaks to improve handling. Visual changes are subtle, but the redesigned front grille and enlarged air intakes behind the door refresh the look of the three-year-old McLaren 570S rival.
Audi E-tron GT
Due for release in 2020, the E-tron GT will go up against the Tesla Model S P100D and Porsche Taycan in the electric sports saloon segment.
It's expected be revealed in concept form in LA. Range is understood to be similar to that of the E-tron SUV’s 248 miles, but the GT will aim to cut the larger car’s 5.5sec 0-60mph time almost in half to remain competitive with its direct rivals.
Bentley Continental GT Convertible
Spotted in testing at the Nürburgring earlier this year, the new Bentley Continental GT Convertible is set to make its debut in LA.
Although the convertible is due to be launched exclusively with the W12 engine that already powers the coupé, a lighter V8 version will follow. The new model swaps the its predecessor's Volkswagen Phaeton underpinnings for those of the Porsche Panamera, in an effort to make it Bentley's sportiest drop-top yet.
BMW X7
BMW’s range-topping SUV will be making its public debut at the LA motor show. The largest model in BMW’s revamped line-up, the seven-seater will take on the Land Rover Discovery and Mercedes-Benz GLS.
With prices starting from £72,155 for the entry-level xDrive30d, the X7 is aimed at luxury-driven markets in regions such as the Middle East and China. As such, four-zone air conditioning and electric seats all round come as standard.
BMW M340i
Making its debut in Los Angeles is the latest variant of BMW’s hotly anticipated new 3 Series. Powered by a 369bhp 3.0-litre straight six engine, the new M340i will be capable of 0-62mph in 4.4sec. It will make use of an M-tuned chassis and xDrive four-wheel drive, making it the first regular 3 Series variant to be sold with BMW's performance sub-brand preceding its model number.
Geared more towards everyday use than the M3, the M340i will come with a number of autonomous driving features and an increased range of optional upgrades.
BMW 8 Series Convertible
BMW is diversifying its luxury offerings with the new 8 Series Convertible. Featuring four seats, a multi-layered fabric roof and 350 litres of boot space, the new grand tourer fills the gap left by the axed 6 Series.
The 8 Series will be available with a 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine or a 523bhp petrol V8, both of which are good for a limited 155mph.
BMW iNext
BMW is adding an SUV to its portfolio of electric vehicles. Joining the i3 hatchback and i8 sports car, the production version of the iNext will go on sale in 2021. The German car maker has claimed a 0-62mph time of roughly four seconds and a competitive range of 380 miles between charges.
Ford Edge ST
The first SUV to receive Ford's ST treatment, the US-only 2019 Edge ST will be shown in near-production guise in LA.
With a claimed 335bhp from its 2.7-litre petrol V6, the five-seat Edge ST will feature variable four-wheel drive and a number of styling elements carried over the Fiesta and Focus hot hatches.
Honda Passport
Appearing at LA for the first time will be Honda's new American-built Passport SUV.
Sitting above the CR-V in the company's mid-size SUV offering, the Passport is described by Honda as a "personal, powerful and off-road-capable SUV". Expect the Passport to sit atop a four-wheel drive platform, with a focus on driver comfort and practicality.
Hyundai Palisade
Hyundai is set to reveal its newly named Palisade three-row SUV in LA.
The all-new 2020 Palisade will be larger and more luxurious than the latest Santa Fe, and although details are scarce, it can be expected to share its underpinnings with Kia’s upcoming Telluride luxury SUV.
Jeep Gladiator
Jeep’s Wrangler-based pick-up truck will be revealed without camouflage for the first time in LA.
Images allegedly showing the model were leaked from the brand's media website on the 15 November, suggesting the front is nearly identical to the Wrangler until after the C-pillar, where a 5ft-long load bed has been added.
The utility vehicle’s debut marks the first time Jeep has produced a truck since 1992. Although it's unlikely to come to the UK, the Gladiator marks the beginning of Jeep’s diversification into other markets, with CEO Mike Manley promising upcoming electric and autonomous vehicles.
Kia Soul
The next version of the electric Soul compact crossover will make its debut in LA.
Kia is remaining tight-lipped about the unveiling, but spy shots of the model in testing around Europe indicate a similar design to the previous model. The EV version will use the powertrain from the e-Niro, with a 39kWh battery. Combustion-powered variants aren't planned for sale in European markets.
Mazda 3
Mazda is bringing an all-new 3 hatchback and saloon to California. Details are scarce, but spy shots of the model in testing suggest it will bear a close resemblance to the Kai concept of 2017.
Where the Kai had only four seats, the production 3 will bump up capacity to five. The design appears to take cues from Mazda’s Skyactiv-X family, meaning the styling will likely echo that of the CX-3 crossover.
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT
Mercedes-AMG will be unveiling an updated version of its GT two-seater.
The sports car was spotted testing earlier this year, sporting a larger front grille and revised headlight styling among other subtle design updates. Mercedes is likely to include a more powerful twin-turbocharged petrol V8 as part of the four-year-old GT's mid-life refresh, in a bid to challenge the segment-leading Porsche 911.
Nissan Maxima
The 2019 Nissan Maxima is set to appear in LA, ahead of a December launch.
The US-only four-door saloon will receive a mid-life facelift, incorporating a redesigned front end and rear lights, but is expected to retain its 300bhp 3.5-litre petrol V6.
Porsche Panamera GTS
Autocar has already driven the sportier variant of Porsche’s luxury grand tourer, but LA will host the second-generation Panamera GTS’s public debut.
Now sporting a turbocharger and rear-biased four-wheel drive, the "unnaturally athletic" GTS produces 454bhp from its 4.0-litre petrol V8 and is capable of a top speed of 181mph.
Porsche 911
Sightings of the eighth-generation Porsche 911 sports car have revealed a more muscular design, informed by the 997-era 911 Speedster and the recent Mission E concept. All 992-era 911s will be turbocharged, with the most powerful 603bhp Turbo S E-Hybrid capable of nearly 200mph.
There will be 24 available variants of the 911 by 2020, with petrol-electric powertrains forming an integral part of the line-up as the car takes on the Jaguar F-Type.
Rivian R1T
As part of Michigan-based Rivian's drive to launch the world's first range of zero-emission adventure vehicles, the company will be revealing an all-electric pick up truck in Los Angeles.
Sitting atop the company's trademark 'skateboard' platform, the R1T utility vehicle will, Rivian says, demonstrate that "that electric vehicle technology is now able to deliver durable, long-range on- and off-road capability to consumers". The model is claimed to be capable of a 400-mile range and a 0-60mph time of less than three seconds.
Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
Subaru of America has introduced its first ever plug-in hybrid model, the Crosstrek Hybrid, which will make its show debut in LA and then arrive in dealerships across the US towards the end of this year.
A variant of the brand's third-best-selling model in the US, the Crosstrek Hybrid features new technology and unique design elements. Using a 2.0-litre boxer engine coupled to an integrated electric motor, Subaru says the new model is capable of 90mpg on the combined cycle and 17 miles on electric power alone.
Toyota Prius
Toyota is set to reveal the 2019 Toyota Prius in Los Angeles, with an early preview hinting at the availability of a four-wheel drive system for the first time outside of Japan’s domestic market.
A teaser image of the car crossing a snowy landscape and sporting roof bars indicates a potentially more rugged variant of the hybrid hatchback. Toyota's E-Four system has been available in the Prius’s home market since the release of the fourth-generation model in 2015.
Volkswagen Beetle
Volkswagen says goodbye to the car that started it all with two limited editions of its outgoing third-generation Beetle.
The Final Edition SE and Final Edition SEL will feature exclusive equipment upgrades, unique colours and new interior trim options. Volkswagen has said that releasing a new variant of the retro-inspired Beetle would not be in line with its planned development for the universal MEB platform, so it has made the decision to axe the car from its 2019 line-up.
Volkswagen ID Buzz Cargo
Although it's not confirmed, the Volkswagen ID Buzz Cargo concept is likely to be in attendance at LA.
Sitting atop the electric MEB platform, the latest member of Volkswagen’s electric ID family is capable of 341 miles on a single charge. The van can carry a maximum of 800kg and has a power output of 198bhp from a motor that sends power to all four wheels.
READ MORE
Paris Motor show 2018: Full show report
Comments
Post a Comment