Tuesday, November 24, 2015

An electric embrace, topless SUVs: Best rides from season's last major auto show

An electric embrace, topless SUVs: Best rides from season's last major auto show

Updated 1533 GMT (2333 HKT) November 23, 2015

Cadillac is trying to regain its prestige as a luxury brand with a redesigned and renamed mid-size crossover.
12 photos:
Cadillac XT5 – Cadillac is trying to regain its prestige as a luxury brand with a redesigned and renamed mid-size crossover.
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The brand, once known solely for high performance sports cars and sport sedans, is moving into the luxury SUV world with the F-Pace. This is Jaguar's first venture into this segment, and will go on sale next year as a 2017 model.
12 photos:
Jaguar F-Pace – The brand, once known solely for high performance sports cars and sport sedans, is moving into the luxury SUV world with the F-Pace. This is Jaguar's first venture into this segment, and will go on sale next year as a 2017 model.
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The 2017 Buick La Crosse sedan is the top of the line offering for the brand in the premium segment.
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Buick La Crosse – The 2017 Buick La Crosse sedan is the top of the line offering for the brand in the premium segment.
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It features an interior cabin that takes many design cues from the Buick Avenir concept sedan.
12 photos:
Buick La Crosse – It features an interior cabin that takes many design cues from the Buick Avenir concept sedan.
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Fiat revived a familiar nameplate with the reintroduction of the 124 Spider convertible.
12 photos:
Fiat 124 Spider – Fiat revived a familiar nameplate with the reintroduction of the 124 Spider convertible.
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Unlike its predecessor, it will only have two seats instead of four and will be powered by a four-cylinder Fiat/Chrysler engine when it comes out as a 2017 model.
12 photos:
Fiat 124 Spider – Unlike its predecessor, it will only have two seats instead of four and will be powered by a four-cylinder Fiat/Chrysler engine when it comes out as a 2017 model.
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The brand that has defined luxury SUVs has gone topless with the 2017 Evoque convertible.

Land Rover Evoque Convertible – The brand that has defined luxury SUVs has gone topless with the 2017 Evoque convertible.
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Alfa continues its return to the U.S. market with the 2017 Giulia Quadrifoglio, a 505 horsepower V6 sport sedan. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and it has a top speed of 191 mph.
12 photos:
Alfa Romeo Giulia – Alfa continues its return to the U.S. market with the 2017 Giulia Quadrifoglio, a 505 horsepower V6 sport sedan. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and it has a top speed of 191 mph.
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Porsche is expanding its North American lineup with the debut of the Targa 4 and Targa 4S convertible. Both are all-wheel drive platforms and are equipped with the proven 3.0 Liter boxer style six-cylinder engines. The 2017 version of the 4S comes with rear wheel steering for enhanced handling at high speeds.
12 photos:
Porsche Targa – Porsche is expanding its North American lineup with the debut of the Targa 4 and Targa 4S convertible. Both are all-wheel drive platforms and are equipped with the proven 3.0 Liter boxer style six-cylinder engines. The 2017 version of the 4S comes with rear wheel steering for enhanced handling at high speeds.
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As a small premium convertible crossover it is in a segment by itself. Land Rover hopes it will build on the success of the hard top version of the same name.
12 photos:
Land Rover Evoque Convertible – As a small premium convertible crossover it is in a segment by itself. Land Rover hopes it will build on the success of the hard top version of the same name.
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The Lincoln Motor Company has redesigned the MKZ sedan with a new front fascia and dramatic dimensions. The 2017 model also has an exclusive 400 horsepower V6 engine. Many of the design cues are taken from the Lincoln Continental concept unveiled at the New York auto show in April.
12 photos:
Lincoln MKZ – The Lincoln Motor Company has redesigned the MKZ sedan with a new front fascia and dramatic dimensions. The 2017 model also has an exclusive 400 horsepower V6 engine. Many of the design cues are taken from the Lincoln Continental concept unveiled at the New York auto show in April.
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The 2017 XT5 maintains the exterior dimensions of its predecessor while offering more interior space and a high-end fit and finish.
12 photos:
Cadillac XT5 – The 2017 XT5 maintains the exterior dimensions of its predecessor while offering more interior space and a high-end fit and finish.
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Cadillac is trying to regain its prestige as a luxury brand with a redesigned and renamed mid-size crossover.
12 photos:
Cadillac XT5 – Cadillac is trying to regain its prestige as a luxury brand with a redesigned and renamed mid-size crossover.
Hide Caption
7 of 12
The brand, once known solely for high performance sports cars and sport sedans, is moving into the luxury SUV world with the F-Pace. This is Jaguar's first venture into this segment, and will go on sale next year as a 2017 model.
12 photos:
Jaguar F-Pace – The brand, once known solely for high performance sports cars and sport sedans, is moving into the luxury SUV world with the F-Pace. This is Jaguar's first venture into this segment, and will go on sale next year as a 2017 model.
Hide Caption
8 of 12
The 2017 Buick La Crosse sedan is the top of the line offering for the brand in the premium segment.
12 photos:
Buick La Crosse – The 2017 Buick La Crosse sedan is the top of the line offering for the brand in the premium segment.
Hide Caption
9 of 12
It features an interior cabin that takes many design cues from the Buick Avenir concept sedan.
12 photos:
Buick La Crosse – It features an interior cabin that takes many design cues from the Buick Avenir concept sedan.
Hide Caption
10 of 12
Fiat revived a familiar nameplate with the reintroduction of the 124 Spider convertible.
12 photos:
Fiat 124 Spider – Fiat revived a familiar nameplate with the reintroduction of the 124 Spider convertible.
Hide Caption
11 of 12
Unlike its predecessor, it will only have two seats instead of four and will be powered by a four-cylinder Fiat/Chrysler engine when it comes out as a 2017 model.
12 photos:
Fiat 124 Spider – Unlike its predecessor, it will only have two seats instead of four and will be powered by a four-cylinder Fiat/Chrysler engine when it comes out as a 2017 model.
Hide Caption
12 of 12
The brand that has defined luxury SUVs has gone topless with the 2017 Evoque convertible.
12 photos:
Land Rover Evoque Convertible – The brand that has defined luxury SUVs has gone topless with the 2017 Evoque convertible.
Hide Caption
1 of 12
Alfa continues its return to the U.S. market with the 2017 Giulia Quadrifoglio, a 505 horsepower V6 sport sedan. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and it has a top speed of 191 mph.
12 photos:
Alfa Romeo Giulia – Alfa continues its return to the U.S. market with the 2017 Giulia Quadrifoglio, a 505 horsepower V6 sport sedan. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and it has a top speed of 191 mph.
Hide Caption
2 of 12
Porsche is expanding its North American lineup with the debut of the Targa 4 and Targa 4S convertible. Both are all-wheel drive platforms and are equipped with the proven 3.0 Liter boxer style six-cylinder engines. The 2017 version of the 4S comes with rear wheel steering for enhanced handling at high speeds.
12 photos:
Porsche Targa – Porsche is expanding its North American lineup with the debut of the Targa 4 and Targa 4S convertible. Both are all-wheel drive platforms and are equipped with the proven 3.0 Liter boxer style six-cylinder engines. The 2017 version of the 4S comes with rear wheel steering for enhanced handling at high speeds.
Hide Caption
3 of 12
As a small premium convertible crossover it is in a segment by itself. Land Rover hopes it will build on the success of the hard top version of the same name.
12 photos:
Land Rover Evoque Convertible – As a small premium convertible crossover it is in a segment by itself. Land Rover hopes it will build on the success of the hard top version of the same name.
Hide Caption
4 of 12
The Lincoln Motor Company has redesigned the MKZ sedan with a new front fascia and dramatic dimensions. The 2017 model also has an exclusive 400 horsepower V6 engine. Many of the design cues are taken from the Lincoln Continental concept unveiled at the New York auto show in April.
12 photos:
Lincoln MKZ – The Lincoln Motor Company has redesigned the MKZ sedan with a new front fascia and dramatic dimensions. The 2017 model also has an exclusive 400 horsepower V6 engine. Many of the design cues are taken from the Lincoln Continental concept unveiled at the New York auto show in April.
Hide Caption
5 of 12
The 2017 XT5 maintains the exterior dimensions of its predecessor while offering more interior space and a high-end fit and finish.
12 photos:
Cadillac XT5 – The 2017 XT5 maintains the exterior dimensions of its predecessor while offering more interior space and a high-end fit and finish.
Hide Caption
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LA Auto Show 4

Story highlights

  • L.A. auto show runs from November 20-29 and it's the last major car event of 2015
  • Gallery above highlights hottest cars at event
Los Angeles This month, a series of North American and world debuts take center stage at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Domestic brands showcase new designs for full-sized sedans, such as the Lincoln MKZ (equipped with a V6 engine designed exclusively for the Lincoln brand), the Cadillac XT5 crossover, and the Buick La Crosse sedan.
The latter, uses a bold front fascia, wide stance and upscale headlight assembly, and incorporates LED and projector beam technology, as part of its redesign.

European talent

European carmakers are also teasing new models. Range Rover, for example, features its Evoque Convertible, the world's first small luxury SUV convertible.
    The convertible, while distinct for being a one-of-a-kind vehicle, does not stray from the Land Rover's confident design DNA, evident by a front end treatment that looks as if it's been transplanted from one of the brand's larger offerings.
    Jaguar, better known for producing sport sedans and coupes, provides an up-close look at its F-Pace, the brand's first venture into SUVs.
    Italian automaker Fiat expands its lineup with the revival of its 124 Spider, for the North American market. The 2017 version is a sleek two-seater open car, that bears an uncanny resemblance to the Mazda MX5 in terms of layout. Rear LED lights, a swept back deck, and polished wheels complete the restyling.
    Corporate cousin Alfa Romeo is elbowing its way back into the public eye with its distinctive Giulia. For Alfa loyalists the luxury sedan is a reaffirmation of a vehicle that exhibits aggressive design features along with promises of high-end performance. This follows last year's introduction of the 4C coupe and hardtop.
    Not to be outdone, Porsche once again sets the bar for performance and luxury with a turbocharged version of the 911 Targa 4 and Targa 4S. Technophiles will appreciate the all-wheel drive system, rear axle steering and lowered suspension, for opportunities to open it up on a winding mountain road or a day at the track.

    Traces of scandal

    Hanging over the event, is the shadow of the Volkswagen diesel scandal that broke this autumn. The company has since admitted that millions of its diesel vehicles were fitted with software used to cheat emission tests.
    At the show, German media crews could be seen polling their American counterparts about reaction to the news and possible impact on other German built brands.
    Comedian and car enthusiast Jay Leno used it as fodder during remarks at the L.A. auto show's Green Car Awards, an annual honor given to vehicles that embrace new, environmentally friendly technologies.
    Only a few years ago, the panel had honored VW, for what was then considered ground breaking diesel technology.
    The winner of this year's Green Car Award was given to the electric-powered Chevrolet Volt, which uses a small gasoline engine to generate power for a longer range.
    The Volt's redesign boasts a cleaner look and improved aerodynamics. Its app friendly display screen has been updated to accept the latest in connected car technology.
    An electric embrace
    The industry embrace of electric cars is growing to the point that automakers like Nissan, BMW and charging firms Charge Point and Blink have worked together to create an industry association called ROEV, which encourages access to one another's public recharging networks. Noticeably absent from the group is Tesla, which only makes electric vehicles.
    While the calendar year is winding to a close, the LA show is considered the first major North American auto show of the season each year.
    Next up, petrolheads will look to January's North American International Auto Show in Detroit and the New York Auto Show in the spring.
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