LAAS: Los Angeles Auto Show 2018

In case you missed it, here are the highlights from this year’s LA Auto Show.

There is no better place to host an auto show than a place with a car culture as rich as Los Angeles. Since 2007, I have been involved with the show through the broadcast industry, which has given me a first hand look and up close encounters with all of the cars, including the premiere vehicles and their development crews.

The years since my first show in Downtown Los Angeles’ Convention Center, I have been disappointed by the vehicles on display. For years, going to the show was like visiting an auto mall. This year, however, the show was fantastic!

I love all cars, though none are more exciting to me than the German and Italian creations. American muscle always has a place in my heart, and the exotics are always exciting.

Let’s kick it off with some of the Best Debuts:

BMW

8 Series Coupe/Convertible

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This highly anticipated, long awaited beauty did not disappoint. The sleek modern styling has curves that help sculpt and accent the body from front to rear. The interior is inviting as much as it is comfortable.

What do you get from a starting price of $111,900

• 4.4-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo V-8 engine
• xDrive; intelligent all-wheel drive
• Room for 4
• 0-60 in 3.6 Sec
• 25mpg

M340i Sedan

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The G20 Body Architecture is everything and then some. Everything about this car is beautiful, except for that odd design in the grill, which you will most likely be happy to overlook once you get behind the wheel. It’s not exactly an M3, but it comes pretty darn close!

Price will be between $40-$50k and will include

• 3L Turbo inline six
• 8 – speed Transmission with Launch Control
• M Sport X Drive
• 0-60mph in 4.2 Sec

X7

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The All New BMW X7 is behemoth of a Utility Vehicle. Is it necessary? No. Is it cool? Yea. I am not a fan of the skinny kidney grill myself, but the rest of the truck delivers in comfort, style, and build.

Base Model Starts at $73,900

• 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder
• xDrive, intelligent all-wheel drive
• Seating for 7
• 0-60 mph in 5.8 Sec

Porsche

This is a brand that has been able to take the same body style first released in 1963 and make it even better ever since. Although the exterior remains true to the classic, what’s underneath continues to evolve.

Starting Price $90,000 – $a100,000

• 3.0-litre flat 6 twin turbocharged engine
• 385hp
• 30mpg
• 190mph top speed

911

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Mercedes

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

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The names Mercedes and AMG together always sounds like music to me. Take a car brand that makes “the best or nothing” and then add to it everything to make the best, that much better and you get the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT.  For the ultimate racer in you, opt for the  AMG GT R or the all new AMG GT 4 Door Coupe

Starting Price $113,500

• Turbocharged 4.0-Liter, V8
• 469hp @6000 RPM
• 2 Seater Coupe
• 18mpg

Rivian

I am adding this company because as of now, it’s the only All Electric Truck line that can get a purported 400 miles out of a single charge. These trucks were made for the eco-friendly adventurer looking to get into the wilderness while reducing their footprint. The company also boasts a 0-60 mph time of 3 Seconds. It all sounds like a dream, all except for the $69,000 Starting Price. Interesting vehicles, but possibly more of a look at what’s to come in automotive technology vs what’s actually available. Even if you put one on reserve, don’t expect to get it anytime soon as they will not begin delivery until late 2020.

R1S – SUV

R1T – Pickup

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All in all, there was a lot of excitement at the Los Angeles Auto Show this year! Automotive engineering is covering so much new ground, both literally and figuratively. If this is any indication of where we are headed for the future of personal transportation, then we will only get places faster, safer, and with a lot of fun.

For more viewing pleasure, check out these other awesome finds from the show!

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by Nicholas Lucin