The Los Angeles Auto Show got underway Thursday with product news from Subaru, VinFast, and Fiat. The finalists for North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards also were announced.
On the eve of the official show, Porsche revealed a rally-inspired 911 Dakar while Toyota introduced its bZ Compact SUV concept. Self-driving company Waymo showed off a prototype robotaxi.
With the Malibu beach as a backdrop, Genesis revealed the X Convertible concept late Tuesday ahead of the show while Toyota detailed its next-generation Prius hybrid.
Column: No longer for nerds: Cooler, faster Prius is a head-turner
Thu, Nov 17, 8:31 pm
The Toyota Prius is a nerd mobile no more.
In the quarter century since the pioneering gasoline-electric fuel sipper was born, it has gone from a frumpy, dumpy subcompact sedan to a weird origami-styled hatchback with bizarre zigzag taillights.
The 2004-10 second-generation car, a nicely proportioned hatchback with a smoothly integrated front end, almost turned the corner onto Hip Street, but for a leisurely 11-second 0-to-60 mph run.
2024 Kia Seltos gets rugged styling, more power
Thu, Nov 17, 8:31 pm
Kia revealed the freshened 2024 Seltos subcompact crossover Thursday at the Los Angeles Auto Show, with sharper styling, a new X-Line trim and more power from its turbo engine. The Seltos, the brand’s entry point, joins the ranks of its larger siblings — the Sorento and Telluride — in offering the more rugged-looking X-Line trim.
For 2024, @Kia’s tiny Seltos gets a more grown up look & X-Line trim like its bigger Telluride & Sorento siblings. Also turbo engine gets a bump in power to 195 hp & is now paired w an 8 spd automatic transmission https://t.co/usrwdeCD5r @Automotive_News #AutoMobilityLA
— Carly Schaffner (@carlyschaffner) November 17, 2022
Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV bumps up range to 340 miles
Thu, Nov 17, 6:38 pm
Hyundai Motor America is showing off its second dedicated electric vehicle — the 2023 Ioniq 6 — at the Los Angeles Auto Show Thursday, saying it will come in three well-equipped trim levels and offer a competitive 340 miles of battery range and ultrafast charging capabilities.
.@Hyundai Ioniq 6 sleek electric sedan is targeted at Gen Z buyers that grew up with technology at the center of their universe. https://t.co/9OXoNP5QeF @Automotive_News #AutoMobilityLA
— Carly Schaffner (@carlyschaffner) November 17, 2022
Subaru Impreza RS hot hatch resurrected for 2024
Thu, Nov 17, 5:07 pm
Subaru is dropping the Impreza sedan and focusing efforts in the market for entry-level cars with a redesigned 2024 Impreza hatchback, giving the sixth-generation compact improved performance, upgraded safety and infotainment systems and a resurrected hot hatch RS trim level.
The Japanese brand revealed the redesigned 2024 Impreza on Thursday here at the Los Angeles Auto Show, 30 years after introducing the first-generation version at the 1992 show. While the brand will discontinue the four-door Impreza after the 2023 model year, it is bringing back the hot hatch RS trim level for the first time since 2007. A Subaru spokesman said the current hatchback version accounted for 73 percent of Impreza sales so far this year, with the sedan version making up the rest.
North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards finalists
Thu, Nov 17, 5:07 pm
Nine vehicles across three categories and eight brands were nominated for the 2023 North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards on Thursday at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
They include six electric vehicles — with each category containing at least one, and the utility segment being made up entirely of EVs.
VinFast says four EV models coming to U.S.
Thu, Nov 17, 12:29 pm
Although Vietnamese automaker VinFast has yet to deliver its first EVs to the U.S. market this year as promised, it's already presenting two future U.S.-bound models at the L.A. auto show beginning Thursday.
The company, which is phasing out gas models this year in favor of EVs, is showing the subcompact VF 6 and compact VF 7 to compliment the VF 8 and VF 9 midsize models that are already open for preorder.
Fiat 500e returning to U.S.
Thu, Nov 17, 12:28 pm
Fiat, a brand down to just one model, is getting a jolt of energy in North America with the return of the electric 500e in 2024.
Fiat brand CEO Olivier Francois plans to announce the 500e's return Thursday at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The official reveal of the North American 500e will take place next year, at the 2023 L.A. show.
It's scheduled to go on sale in the first quarter of 2024.
More pizzazz for the Prius
Thu, Nov 17, 3:24 am
Here’s @toyota brand boss Dave Christ introducing the first sexy #Prius2023 in history. pic.twitter.com/yJyzqaK2tq
— Larry P. Vellequette (@LarryVellequett) November 17, 2022
Porsche 911 Dakar is pitched at SUV set
Thu, Nov 17, 3:23 am
Porsche is pitching its new 911 Dakar as a sports car aimed at the SUV set.
The rally-inspired Dakar features a jacked-up suspension, all-terrain tires and an antilock braking system optimized for loose gravel.
Porsche unveiled the two-door off-roader on the eve of the Los Angeles Auto Show. The 911 Dakar is limited to 2,500 units globally and starts at $223,450, including shipping, in the U.S. starting next Spring.
Waymo unveils robotaxi prototype
Thu, Nov 17, 2:39 am
Self-driving company Waymo revealed its Zeekr robotaxi prototype at an event in downtown Los Angeles. It has automatic doors and no steering wheel. Waymo has not said when it will go into production or service. Zeekr is the electric vehicle subsidiary of China’s Geely Auto Group.
-Jerry Hirsch
First glance at the result of @Waymo’s year-long partnership with @GeelyGroup’s Zeekr brand tonight in Los Angeles. Notably, no B pillar. Expected to be in on-road testing late next year. pic.twitter.com/Yn96YAsgAm
— Pete Bigelow (@PeterCBigelow) November 17, 2022
Toyota bZ Compact SUV Concept
Thu, Nov 17, 2:37 am
After a stumble out of the gates with its first-in-a-series 2023 bZ4X, Toyota is introducing a smaller concept with a similar shape likely to one day slide beneath the back-on-sale bZ4X in an expanded battery-electric lineup for the Japanese automaker.
The Toyota bZ Compact SUV Concept shown late Wednesday before the start of the Los Angeles Auto Show is roughly comparable in size to the Toyota Corolla Cross subcompact crossover, smaller than the RAV4-sized bZ4X.
“Nothing to announce†in terms of a next all-electric Toyota for the U.S., brand chief David Christ told me.
— Jamie Butters (@MittenHawk) November 17, 2022
But look at it: Hard to think something like this won’t go into production. Maybe not exactly this interior … https://t.co/tAdv9eqofq
Toyota unleashes a radical redesign for sportier Prius hybrid
Wed, Nov 16, 4:49 am
Toyota is flipping the script for the next-generation Prius hybrid.
The gas-sipping nameplate, a byword for eco-friendly driving since its 1997 debut, won't be a whole lot greener with the redesigned fifth generation. But it will sure be a whole lot meaner.
On tap is a new range of more powerful drivetrains with significantly more oomph and a zero to 62 mph sprint time as quick as 6.7 seconds. Total output, for the plug-in at least, should top 200 hp.
The redesigned Prius makes its U.S. debut Wednesday at the Los Angeles auto show.
Genesis convertible concept
Wed, Nov 16, 2:20 am
Using the Malibu beach as a backdrop Genesis revealed its X Convertible concept.
The X Convertible is the third installment of Genesis' X electric concept trilogy. It shares the same architecture and electric powertrain with last year's X Concept and the X Speedium Coupe concept unveiled this summer.
”Electric powertrains have given us the perfect scenario in which to enjoy nature, and propelled the brand to create vehicles with even greater emotional resonance,” Genesis Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke said in a statement.
— Carly Schaffner
L.A. auto show preview: EV, hybrid intros are on tap
Tue, Nov 15, 2:01 pm
