2009 LA Show Highlights

[svgallery name="2010_LA_Show"] Story and photos by John LeBlanc LOS ANGELES–You can't ignore the math at this year's Los Angeles Auto Show. With the auto industry in full contraction – fewer brands, fewer all-new models, fewer pie-in-the-sky concepts and fewer media – these types of events have become pared- down affairs compared to the gratuitous auto orgies we've witnessed in the past. But the auto-show circuit still has one thing in its favour. It's called the "future." And based on what we saw here in L.A. at the official kickoff to the North American auto-show season, the future looks to be small, premium, frugal and fun to drive. Emphasizing the trend toward making one model that can be sold around the world to save costs, the majority of the debuts this year are North American production versions of cars already sold in other markets. Two of the world's major automakers, though, did show up with a couple of previously unseen concepts. The Honda P-Nut (Personal-Neo Urban Transport) concept represents an "ultra-compact and sophisticated city coupe," says Honda. Its McLaren F1-like 1+2 seating arrangement and rear-mounted powertrain is designed to maximize its space efficiency. Unlike Honda's FC Sport fuel-cell-powered concept at last year's L.A. show, the P-Nut's engine bay is designed to accommodate a wide variety of potential powerplants: gas-only engine, gasoline-electric hybrid, or a battery-electric powertrain. There's little chance the P-Nut will make it to showrooms as is. But it may indicate where Honda wants to go with a city car likely to compete against the Smart ForTwo or forthcoming Toyota/Scion iQ. Looking more ready for prime time is the Volkswagen Up! Lite concept. With a 50 hp, 0.8-litre two-cylinder turbodiesel engine, matched to a 13 hp electric motor and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, VW estimates the four-seat, front-wheel-drive, compact hatchback will get a combined 70 miles per U.S. gallon (3.4 L/100 km) on the EU test cycle, making it the most fuel-efficient four-passenger car in the world. While still a "concept," the Up!Lite is built around VW's next compact platform. And VW has already committed to a small, ultra-high-mileage, ultra-high-tech showcase (like Toyota's Prius or GM's Chevy Volt). Expect something like the Up! Lite to appear sometime after 2011. Coming to Canada next summer, the 2011 Ford Fiesta subcompact represents the first drop in a flood of small, premium, frugal and fun-to-drive European models from the company Henry built. Already on sale in Europe and Asia, a Mexican-made four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback Fiesta will be powered by a 119 hp, 1.6-litre four-cylinder. A five-speed manual is the base transmission. A dual-clutch, six-speed automatic is optional. Ford is estimating 29 mpg (8.1 L/100 km) in the city and 38 mpg (6.2 L/100 km) highway with the manual transmission. With the automatic, the highway projection remains the same but the city increases by one mpg. Like BMW's approach with its Mini Cooper, Fiesta will offer "big car" features such as Sync with turn-by-turn navigation, heated seats, push-button start and optional two-tone interiors with leather. Wheels has already driven the European version that's been on sale in other markets for a few years now, but the North American model of the 2011 Mazda2 was unveiled here for the first time. Sharing the same platform as the Fiesta, we'll have to wait until closer to its on-sale date late next summer to find out about Canadian-market drivetrain, pricing and specs. But the five-door model shown here was sporting a new face more similar to the larger Mazda3. A smaller General Motors debuted new models for three of its four remaining North American brands. Like the Fiesta, the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan has already been on sale in other markets. But the L.A. show is its official unveiling in North American trim. Ready to take on the Honda Civic, Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla, initially the Cruze will come only with a turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder with six-speed automatic and manual transmission, boasting 40 mpg (5.9 L/100 km) on the highway. Hoping you'll forget previous Chevy compacts like the Cobalt and Cavalier, GM says Cruze will offer features like leather and heated front seats, for a "very competitive price." You've probably already seen the production version of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid. Chevy has been splashing it all over its advertising. But GM finally confirmed that the Volt will be available for sale late next year, first in California, followed by other major American cities and then selected Canadian cities in the spring of 2011. Already on sale in China, the 2011 Buick Regal sedan is coming back to North America in 2010. Essentially a rebadged Opel Insignia, the smallest vehicle in Buick's lineup so far will be assembled in Germany until about mid-2011, then production will be moved to General Motors' Oshawa plant. Aimed at import sport sedans like the Audi A4, Acura TSX and Volvo S60, the base Regal will get a 182 hp, four-cylinder engine. But a 220 hp, turbocharged four, six-speed manual transmission, and a driver-selectable suspension system will be optional. The new 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe gets GM's luxury brand back in the two-door game after the last Eldorado went away 17 years ago. On sale next spring, the rear-wheel-drive, 2+2, two-door will come with a variety of drivetrain options to counter rivals like the Audi A5, BMW 3-series, Infiniti G37 Coupe, Lexis IS-C and Mercedes-Benz E Coupe. Base CTS Coupes will offer the V6 from the existing CTS sedan and wagon, in both rear- and all-wheel-drive iterations. While a 556 hp, V-Series Coupe has been confirmed for 2010. Does anyone buy minivans anymore? With the new, third-generation 2011 Toyota Sienna, the Japanese automaker is hoping the "minivan is poised for a rebound." Based on the last platform, the new Sienna is still a front-drive, seven- or eight-passenger vehicle with sliding doors and seats that can fold more ways than a Chinese gymnast. But when it goes on sale early next spring, in addition to a new, more fuel-efficient V6, for the first time a four-cylinder (from the Venza) will be available, as will all-wheel-drive with both engines. With new three-tone colour interiors, second-row seats with integrated retractable leg rests (that slide forward to grant access to the power-operated 60/40 ``Split & Stow'' third row,) and 16-inch dual view LCD screen for rear-seat entertainment, the only thing missing from the new Sienna is a Lexus badge.

Comments