Los Angeles Auto Show were more
focused on forward-thinking technology and green design. Fuel cells, hybrid powertrains and
self-driving systems were themes across several models. Of course, there was
still plenty of flash and hot styling, too.
Toyota Driver Awareness Research Vehicle
Thanks largely to the Connected
Car Expo that preceded the start of the auto show itself, current and future
car tech was a focal point in LA. Toyota's Driver Awareness Research Vehicle
(DAR-V) was one of the most visible examples of this.
Developed with the help of
Microsoft Research, the DAR-V attempts to limit the distractions that drivers
face during the commute by providing key information before the driver even
gets behind the wheel. With a combination of Kinect-powered gesture control,
voice command and key fob activation, a display built into the side window
delivers information about traffic, weather, daily schedule and appointments,
and navigation. By getting this information ahead of time, the driver will
presumably be less distracted while actually driving.
Ford Edge Concept
Another hot LA topic under the greater
car-technology banner was automated vehicles. Although self-driving cars remain
some years off, experts say that cars will start to take over more and more
driving responsibilities over the next few years. In fact, the process is
already underway.
The Ford Edge Concept was designed in part to
showcase Ford's latest semi-autonomous capabilities. The prototype "fully
assisted parking aid" and its ultrasonic sensors, which can be activated
from inside the vehicle or by remote control, allow the Edge Concept to
navigate into and out of a parking spot. The Edge Concept also has an
obstacle-avoidance system that can sense still and slow-moving objects ahead,
send warnings to the driver, and steer or brake if the driver fails to react in
time.
Volkswagen CrossBlue Coupe
The CrossBlue
Coupe debuted at NAIAS 2013 and also appeared at the 2013
Shanghai auto show. Its most recent stop was in LA, where its specs
received a modest update.
Volkswagen's latest information says that the dual
motor + turbo V6-based plug-in hybrid driveline puts out 415 hp, returns up to
70 mpg-e, and travels up to 570 miles (917 km) with a full tank of gas and full
battery. That economical performance is underpinned by 13 miles (21 km) of
all-electric driving and complemented by a spirited 5.8-second 0-60 mph (96.5
km/h) time and 147-mph (237 km/h) top speed. There is some speculation that LA
was a stop on the way toward CrossBlue production, and VW's description of it
as a "glimpse at the future" adds a little support to that view.
Mercedes AMG Vision Gran Turismo

There was one car in LA that
called itself a Puma but looked like the absolute
opposite of a lithe pussy cat stretching every muscle. The Mercedes-Benz AMG
Vision Gran Turismo truly looks the part. It's amazing what designers can come
up with when they're not constrained by having to actually build and sell their
creation. We won't rehash the story of
the 585-hp Gran Turismo concept here, but you can see it from a number of
angles in the gallery.
VIA Motors XTRUX
The big announcements from VIA Motors in LA were
its solar
panel pickup tonneau cover and the start of production on its
range-extending truck and van line. But the biggest sight at its booth was the
XTrux concept.
Revealed early this year at NAIAS, the 4WD truck
packs double the punch of VIA's production trucks, using two 402-hp electric motors
for more than 800 hp worth of rippling muscle. Its V8 engine is tasked with
range-extending duties, charging the battery pack after about 40 all-electric
miles (64 km) or so. VIA estimates that this hybrid combination offers
capabilities for 100-mpg averages and also gives drivers immediate access to
738 lb-ft of torque. For a truck that has that much size, power and tech going
on, the Xtrux wears very simple, understated styling.
Subaru Legacy Concept

Subaru shows a sportier look for its venerable
Legacy sedan with the Legacy Concept that premiered in LA. The concept car
hints at what the Legacy would look like as a slick, four-door coupe. The
lights, shapes and cuts of the front and rear fascias mirror each other,
providing a symmetry that's physically connected by sharp character lines
running down the flanks. The concept car is coated with Ocean Silver Metallic
paint. It's not clear how much the Legacy Concept will influence the next
production model, but we like what we see so far.
1963 Chevy Corvette "Asteroid"
We left this list open to special editions
specifically so we'd have an excuse to include this one-of-a-kind 1963 Chevy
Corvette Asteroid. The sparkling Stingray was a welcome contrast to the
brand-new hardware of the LA show. We're not sure we'd cover a classic Corvette
in glittering metallic paint, but this particular model was still new when it
was customized by Barris Kustoms. Originally owned by Bob Nordskog, the
Asteroid won several show awards and ran a 12.20 in the quarter mile in its
heyday. In LA, it served as a very effective advertisement for the upcoming
Barrett Jackson Westworld of Scottsdale auction, which starts on January 12.
SRT Viper GTS Anodized Carbon Special Edition

Interestingly enough, the Corvette Asteroid wasn't
the only iconic American sports car slathered in metallic paint. The all-new
Viper GTS Anodized Carbon made its debut at the LA show, representing
Chrysler's first application of the new metallic matte paint. Accenting that
luscious metal paint are black vapor chrome, five-spoke “Rattler” wheels,
orange brake calipers, carbon fiber brake ducts and other styling enhancements.
SRT will build just 50 examples of the limited edition package, beginning in
January.
Shelby Raptor
We missed the reveal of the 2013 Shelby Raptor
package at the New York Auto Show in March, so we were sure to take our time
looking it over in LA. The Ford SVT Raptor is already one of the most rugged,
off-road-ready pickup trucks in the world, and the Shelby treatment just warms
it up further. With the help of a supercharger, Shelby adds more than 150
horses, dialing the Raptor right up to 575 hp. The US$18,000 package also
includes a Shelby exhaust, custom interior, serial numbered badges and graphics
package.
Volkswagen Design Vision GTI

A rather radical GTI makeover, the Design Vision
GTI was first revealed at the Wörthersee festival. The slices down its sides
look a bit like the side blades on the Audi R8, but they're
actually C-pillar extensions designed to extend the body work over widened
tracks and 20-inch wheels. Under the hood, a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 TSI engine
puts out 503 hp – more than double the stock GTI's 230 hp. That power is
distributed to all four wheels, ensuring performance just south of
"supercar" – 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.9 seconds and 186 mph (300
km/h) at the top end. The design is the essence of an exhilarating hot hatch.
That's our pick of the concepts and special
editions rolled out at this year's LA Auto Show. Let us know the concepts you'd
like to see make the jump to production and those you think should remain
concepts.