2011 LA: A Few of My Favorite Cars
I almost didn’t write this blog. After all, what hasn’t already been written about ad nauseum by dozens of other auto journalists, many more seasoned and influential than I, about their picks and pans of the show? I thought, “Does anyone really care about what I think?” But I figured posting this blog doesn’t kill any trees in the Brazilian rainforest, and whatever energy was expended by uploading it to the server is likely offset by the convoy of Prii I saw in the carpool lane this morning on the way in. Or something like that…
For what it’s worth, here are my picks of the show. Granted, some of them are well beyond my immediate reach (notwithstanding the fact third-year resale values on luxury models typically drop off a cliff, from astronomical, to merely outrageous) but I tend to generally get more excited about models that I might have some chance of actually owning someday. So without further ado, here is my personal favorites list.
Porsche Panamera GTS
For me, anything that crests the six-figure mark is automatically in the “probably not going to happen” arena. Whether we’re talking $100,000, 200,000 or more, the difference is all academic at that price stratum. Porsche rolled out its middleweight Panamera GTS, which offers a 30-horse bump over the “standard” S model, but still comes short of the Turbo S’s mighty 550 horsepower. That said, I wouldn’t turn one down if someone gave it to me. I’ve come a long way from my original opinion of the Panamera, which at the time, I thought was yet another unnecessary addition to the Porsche line. Although the original “unnecessary” addition, the Cayenne, has filled the company’s coffers to overflowing, and given us such tasty goodies as the 911 GT3, Cayman in its various guises, and countless other variations too numerous to name here. Not only that, any big sedan that can hustle to 60 mph in well under four seconds and get more than 20 mpg on the highway is an epic feat of engineering, no matter how you slice it. For me, it’s go big or go home. I like the GTS, but if I had to pick, it’d be the Turbo S.
Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger SRT8
They might be considered dinosaurs or throwbacks to some, but these two big sedans ooze pure American attitude from every pore. Yes, yes, I know they have some German genealogy, but who among us can say we’re “pure blooded” Americans, other than if you’re Native American? The fact that they can pack as much performance, comfort, and style into one (admittedly large) package for about $50k, is awesome.
Ford Shelby GT500
Speaking of American attitude, Ford showed it big time with the in-your-face 650 horsepower Shelby GT500. As if more power was what last year’s comparatively tame 550-horse model needed. I guess when your cross-town rival is packing 580, you’d better bring the heat.
Ford Focus/Fiesta ST
I would gladly take either of these hot-hatch specimens. Having previously owned a Mazda Protege 5 and a VW GTI, I was instantly attracted to this duo. At this stage in my life, I’d probably go for the slightly larger, plusher Focus, but would not sneeze at the Fiesta. Both are solid efforts and show beyond a shadow of a doubt that Ford is intent on being top-and-center on enthusiast shopping lists.
For Ford, California Is No Longer Just Trucks and Rental Cars
For some time now, new domestic-brand vehicles in California have usually one of two things: a pickup truck or a rental car. Detroit is trying to change that, however, and Ford in particular has had success in California in recent years, and not just with F-150s and the Mustang convertibles that are popular rental options with tourists from Northern states.
California is Ford’s best market for the Fiesta and the new Focus is off to a good start as well, for example. Ford hopes to build on that with the new 2013 Escape, which was unveiled in Los Angeles on Tuesday. According to Mark Fields, FoMoCo Americas President, two out of three customers in America cross-shop compact sport/utilities with midsize sedans. He’d like to see the vast suburbs of California littered with his new Escape, and I could see it happen. The ’13 Escape has given up the outgoing model’s plain, boxy sheetmetal for a sleek, “kinetic” Euro design. It’s a four-cylinder-only model, and it has one of those surprise-and-delight features that could capture owners of competitors like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Chevy Equinox: the hands-free tailgate.
The Lohdown on the 2009 LA Auto Show
As you’ve seen from our exhaustive coverage, the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show has just rolled into our hometown. Public days begin tomorrow, Friday, December 4 and go until Sunday, December 13. With that in mind, here are some suggestions on what to see and what to skip at the show, particularly in the main manufacturer halls – Concourse, South and West.
A few basic tips: Tickets are $12 at the gate, $10 on-line, or $8 if you go on opening day. Seniors are $8 (cash) and kids 12 and under are free. On site parking is $12 cash, but not necessarily safe; one of our staffers had his laptop computer stolen from a locked vehicle so leave your valuables at home. Budget at least four hours to take it all in — more if you want to run around Kentia hall downstairs or stand in line for all of the driving simulators.; Bring comfortable shoes of course, but also stuff some snacks in your pockets because the food isn’t cheap. Starbucks is available on site just outside of the South Hall, but the line will be long.; For a quicker, cheaper pick-me-up, grab a $2 can of green tea in the concession area across the way (look for the sushi vendor). Your best bet for a quiet, bathroom break is at the back of the West hall behind the SmartUSA display. On to the show floor!
LA (Auto Show) Confidential
Lexus and Infiniti chose L.A. to show off their BMW 3 Series convertible fighters, the IS-C and G37 hardtops, but perhaps they should have spent a little more time at the drafting table.; Both have noticeably larger derrieres than the BMW they hope to contest, with decklids far more bulbous and awkward looking.
The new Mazda3 is the company’s biggest gamble in years. In the last five years, Mazda has sold 1.8 million Mazda3s in 100 countries. To put that in perspective, one in every three Mazdas sold is a 3.
Messing with such a success could be a catastrophe and Mazda knows it.;Look at how they approached the update to Mazda6.;It’s a much bolder move because there was less to lose.;Though the previous-generation 6 was critically acclaimed early on, it wasn’t near the sales success of the 3.
That is why we’re seeing only a major sheetmetal and interior overhaul for the 2010 Mazda3.;The wheelbase is unchanged, while the suspension, though heavily retuned, is largely the same as the last generation.;
More Mazda news: Patrick Dempsey, aka Dr. McDreamy to the mouthbreathers, can be seen on the large video screen in Mazda’s booth.; Why?; Because he’s a bona-fide racing nut with a connection to Mazda that extends beyond the paid voiceover work he does for them.
