rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Business » Story of 13 superb cars and a bike
This article was first published 13 years ago

Story of 13 superb cars and a bike

Last updated on: November 19, 2010 14:50 IST

Image: The Mazda Shinari concept car was unveiled at the LA Auto Show in Los Angeles on November 17, 2010.
Photographs: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

The LA Auto Show is an annual auto show held at the Los Angeles Convention Center in late November/early December.

The 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show will be held from November 19 through November 28, 2010.

Mazda unveiled the Shinari on Wednesday.

The four-door concept is the first iteration of the Japanese manufacturer's new Kodo design philosophy: "soul of motion."

...

Story of 13 cars and a bike

Image: Visitors look at the SAAB 9-4X Crossover.
Photographs: Mario Anzuoni?Reuters

The first event to kick off the show to the public is the annual charity event, Sneak Preview Night, which took place on Thursday before the first public day.

Proceeds from general and gold area tickets are donated to Homeless Healthcare Los Angeles and One Voice.

SAAB 9-4X Crossover

The new 9-4X brings unique Saab design and engineering values to the growing mid-size crossover segment.

With distinctive Scandinavian and aircraft-inspired looks, it also offers car-like handling and ride characteristics that challenge class benchmarks.

...

Story of 13 cars and a bike

Image: Visitors look at the new Fiat 500.
Photographs: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

The Los Angeles Auto Show began in 1907 with ninety-nine vehicles on display at Morley's Skating Rink.

As the auto industry grew, the auto show changed venues four times throughout the 1920's to accommodate the growing needs of vendors.

Fiant 500

The Fiat 500, which hits showrooms in January, will rely on customisation to attract potential buyers.

Although most of the work, such as exterior colour and seat choices will be handled at the plant, Fiat's dealers will shoulder some of the work in providing consumer choices.

...

Story of 13 cars and a bike

Image: The new Mercedes Benz CLS63 AMG is unveiled.
Photographs: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

During the 1929 show, an electrical circuit in one of the airplane exhibits caught fire causing the entire show to go up in flames ending in more than $1 million in damages.

With the help of the community, the show re-opened one day later at the Shrine Auditorium.

Mercedes Benz CLS63 AMG

Mercedes Benz CLS63 AMG sports twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8 engine, which makes 550 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque.

...

Story of 13 cars and a bike

Image: The Toyota RAV 4 EV Concept.
Photographs: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

The show continued to prove successful throughout the 1930's, but took a down turn during the Second World War and went on hiatus from 1940 through 1951.

Toyota RAV 4 EV

The new RAV4 EV received several distinct exterior styling changes including a new front bumper, grille, fog lamps and head lamps.

New EV badging and the custom "mutually exclusive" paint colour, completed the transformation.

The interior received custom seat trim, multimedia dash displays, push-button shifter and dashboard meters.

The RAV4 platform brings a 73-cubic-foot cargo area with rear seats folded down - no cargo space was lost in the conversion to an electric powertrain.

In 1997, Toyota brought to market the first-generation RAV4 EV in response to the California zero emission vehicle (ZEV).

...

Story of 13 cars and a bike

Image: The Chevrolet Camaro Convertible.
Photographs: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

In 1952, the show re-opened at the Pan Pacific Auditorium with 152 vehicles on display, including those from international manufacturers.

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

Featuring a fabric roof, the Camaro Convertible launches with a V6 engine developing 312 horsepower, and has a projected price of around $30,000.

Later, a V8-powered SS version will also become available.

...

Story of 13 cars and a bike

Image: Nissan's 2011 Murano Crosscabriolet.
Photographs: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

Throughout the next 50 years, the show continued to grow becoming the success that it is today. In the past decade, the show has changed its name from The Greater Los Angeles Auto Show to the LA Auto Show.

Nissan's 2011 Murano Crosscabriolet

The CrossCabriolet will sit at the top of the Murano lineup, as every model will come loaded with features like HID headlights, 20-inch wheels, leather seats and wood trim.

All models will be all-wheel drive as well.

...

Story of 13 cars and a bike

Image: Nissan Quest.
Photographs: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

In 2006, the show moved its dates from early January to late November/early December, thus resulting in two shows during the year 2006, the second marking the 100 year anniversary show.

Nissan Quest

The fourth generation minivan will be powered by a 3.5 liter V6 engine that can deliver 253 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque.

Priced at $27,750, the revamped Quest will be imported from Japan and is set to hit the US markets early in 2011.

It will be available in four trim levels namely S, SV, SL and LE and have seven exterior colours.

...

Story of 13 cars and a bike

Image: Range Rover Evoque.
Photographs: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

Every year the LA Auto Show kicks off with two press days full of activity for journalists, designers and industry representatives alike.

Range Rover Evoque

The five-door Range Rover Evoque is powered by a 2.0-liter Si4 direct injection, turbocharges gasoline engine generates up to 240 bhp, while accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds.

It measures 1.18 inches taller than its coupe counterpart, while adding nearly 2 inches in shoulder room for the rear passenger.

The addition of a full-size see-through panoramic roof makes the interior feel a lot more spacious while also lighting the interior with natural colors.

The trunk capacity of the five-door Evoque can be adjusted as needed to an impressive 51 cubic feet.

...

Story of 13 cars and a bike

Image: Cadillac's Concept car.
Photographs: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

In 2008, the show had a record number of debuts with 23 world debuts and 15 North American debuts.

Cadillac Concept

Power, for Cadillac's Concept car, comes from a tiny 1.0 liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that GM says can deliver 56 mpg in the city and 65 mpg on the highway.

A start-stop system, eAssist similar to what was introduced on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse, and brake energy recovery system all contribute to the awesome gas mileage.

...

Story of 13 cars and a bike

Image: Shinichi Kurihara, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America, introduces the Mitsubishi i electric vehicle.
Photographs: Phil McCarten/Reuters

Press days also include a breakfast sponsored by the Motor Press Guild, the 'Green Car of the Year' award presented by Green Car Journal, the Design LA Conference, which includes the announcement of the winning Design Challenge entry, and the newest addition to press days, the Green Cars Ride & Drive.

Mitsubishi i-MIEV

The all-electric Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle has been available in Japan since last year and will arrive in Europe soon.

The American-market model will be slightly bigger than those.

It has a 16-kW (63-horsepower) electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack that will take you up to 100 miles in mostly city driving.

There's also a three-way charging system, allowing for 110- or 220-volt power sources, as well as a quick-charger system.

The little four-seater will cost around $30,000.

...

Story of 13 cars and a bike

Image: Mercedes Benz F-Cell.
Photographs: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Automobile Designers finish out the Design LA Conference on the night of press days at the Designers' Night Reception.

Mercedes Benz F-Cell

It's a hydrogen-electric B-class, and the first Mercedes-Benz compact in the United States.

It works on compressed hydrogen combined with a 136-horsepower electric motor and a 1.4-kWh lithium-ion battery.

...

Story of 13 cars and a bike

Image: General Motors Co's US marketing chief Joel Ewanick accepts the 2011 Green Car of the Year Award for the Chevrolet Volt.
Photographs: Phil McCarten/Reuters

Chevrolet Volt

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt was named the Green Car of the Year on Thursday at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

It was the first electric car to win the prize, which has been given annually since 2005 by the Green Car Journal.

The Chevrolet brand announced that it would donate $40 million to locally-based environmental projects across the US with the goal of reducing carbon emissions by 8 million metric tons.

...

Story of 13 cars and a bike

Image: Professional motorcycle racer Nicky Hayden rides a Ducati Diavel Carbon.
Photographs: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Ducati Diavel Carbon

It packs a full 162 horsepower, 94 pound-feet of torque and tips the scales at a feathery 456 pounds.

The Diavel comes loaded with more technology than ought to be possible.

There's a ride-by-wire throttle system, traction control, anti-lock brakes, a keyless ignition and a tank-mounted, light-sensing TFT display packed into the beast you see above.

It costs around $16,995 for the base model and $19,995 for the Carbon iteration.