Los Angeles Motor Show 2009 Preview

The 2009 Los Angeles Motor Show Starts on 4th December

This coming week see the start of the Los Angeles Motor Show, the last major car show of the year and one which you would normally see dominated by high end exotica, such is the wealth and general demographic of the West Coast USA. But not this year. Lamborghini and Ferrari will be notable by their absence, as will Bentley. It’s the economy. Apparently.

But many will be there, so we thought we’d give you a quick round-up of what you can expect to see. To be honest, we’re not expecting any huge surprises – although it would be nice to be wrong – and many of the ‘Star’ cars are not new, just getting their US debut.

The LA Auto Show runs from December 4th to 13th, although there are a couple of press days before. One car you won’t be seeing is the 2010 / 2011 Audi A8, which is actually going to launch on the eve of the show but on the other side of the continent at the Miami Design Centre. Unless Audi decide to ship it across as a surprise entry.

Cadillac CTS Coupe

A proper halo car for the Cadillac range, we’re looking forward to the CTS-V Coupe. But this is the start.

Dodge Viper

We know, the Viper’s been around for ages. And it’s not an all new one, but the 2010 Viper run-out model, with just 500 being built before an all new Supercar Viper in 2012.

Porsche Boxster Spyder

The spiritual home of any open-topped Porsche is the West Coast of America. So it’s no surprise the new, lightweight Boxster Spyder gets its first public outing here.

Toyota Sienna

From our perspective on this side of the Pond this is the launch of the new Previa for the US. It’s a’Minivan’.

Volkswagon

Volkswagen are threatening a couple of launches, but we’re not sure what. We know the new Touareg is going to Detroit – maybe they’ll bring it forward. Perhaps this is the only place we’ll see anything approaching a surprise.

Audi e-Tron

The electric Audi R8 (it’s not, actually, but it does look like the R8) will be on the Audi stand.

Audi R8 Spyder

The V10 5.2 litre Audi R8 Spyder will make its US debut at LA. Probably a very good place for the £100k soft top to reveal itself in the States.

BMW ActiveHybrid 7

BMW’s hybrid version of the 7 series

BMW ActiveHybrid X6

BMW’s hybrid version of the X6.

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept

One of the starts of Frankfurt, LA gets a chance to see the potential replacement for the M1.

Buick Regal

A Rose by any other name… This is an Insignia in its Yankee frock. Good car, even with Colonial Clothing.

Chevrolet Cruze

The 2010 /2011 version of the Chevvy Cruze, which oddly has already been launched in the UK back in May.

Ford Fiesta

Despite running all over the US as a prelude top launch, this is the first official outing of the Fiesta in the US.

Hyundai Tucson / ix35

Hyundai’s cracking new small SUV gets its first airing in the US.

Jaguar XJ

I know, it’s months since the new XJ launched, but this is the first time in public on US soil.

Kia Sorento

Another Frankfurt launch, the Kia Sorento bows in to the US at LA.

Lexus LF-A

The new Lexus LF-A shows up here for the first time in the US. But no one can buy the LF-A in the US. It’s lease only.

Lexus LF-Ch

This is the Premium Compact Hybrid we first saw at Frankfurt in September.

Mazda2

This is likely to feature the new face we saw on the Mazda2 on its recent launch in Thailand

Mercedes B-Class F-Cell

Mercedes are thankfully persevering with Hydrogen Fuel Cells. This is the Hydrogen B-Class.

Mercedes E350 Bluetec

A taste of diesel for the US market.

Mercedes SLS AMG

Mercedes’ Homage to the 300SL Gullwing gets an outing.

MINI Coupe

The swoopy roofed MINI Coupe shows.

MINI Roadster

The two seat drop-top version of the Coupe also gets an outing.

Mitsubishi PX-MiEV Concept

The PX-MiEV was first shown at Tokyo in October – a hybrid cossover with a 30 mile EV range.

Morgan Aero Supersports

Traditional British Supercar gets its North American debut.

Porsche 911 GT3 RS

The track meets the road in the GT3 RS. Not many toys and a bit of an animal.

Porsche 911 Turbo

The latest Porsche 911 Turbo debuts. This is the fast 911 if you want a few toys and comfort.

Rolls Royce Ghost

The RR Ghost seems to have been around for ages, but this is its first US outing.

Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept

Debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show featuring a Boxer engine, a pair of electric motors and full length gullwing doors.

Toyota Prius Plug-in

The Prisu plug-in gets its US debut in LA. There are probably more Prius per square foot in LA than anywhere on the planet.

Volkswagen L1 Concept

A pocket-sized electric car concept from VW

Volvo C30

Star of Twilight and New Moon, the C30 sess its first US outing

Volvo C70

Another Frankfurt debut, the new-nose C70 droptop is on show.

The Los Angeles Motor Show will be glitzy and Hollywood, but a bit short on substance. Still, we’ll report what’s worth reporting as we get it.

By Cars UK