LA Auto Show 2012 preview

We bring you detailed preview of the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The 2012 Los Angeles motor show opens its doors later today at the Los Angeles Convention Centre. Here’s our guide to the most important models that will be on the show floor.

Audi

Audi is continuing its diesel offensive on the US market – notorious for its disinterest in oil-burning cars. 3.0-litre TDI versions of the A6, A7, A8 and Q5 will be launched at the show, under the label CleanDiesel.

BMW

The latest addition to BMW’s ‘i’ range of electric cars, the i8 roadster, will make its debut at LA. Featuring a lift-out targa roof fashioned from carbon-fibre, it will use the same all-wheel drive setup as the coupe. BMW is also lifting the wraps of an X1 concept named K2 Powder Ride. It features a bespoke paint job and upgraded sound system and is the result of a partnership with ski manufacturer K2.

Chevrolet

Representing the polar extremes of US car culture, the Chevrolet Spark EV will be sharing its show stand with the Hot Wheels Camaro. The Spark uses an 85kW electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. The Camaro doesn’t, being equipped with a 6.2-litre V8 and Hot Wheels custom paint job.

Fiat

Fiat is using the LA motor show to unveil two new iterations of its hugely popular 500 supermini. The Fiat 500e is the firm’s first foray into electric vehicles, and is marketing it at a loss simply to meet California EV regulations. It will be joined by the 500L Trekking, a slightly off-road biased version of the larger bodied 500L.

Ford

The Fiesta Ecoboost is to make its US debut at LA next week. This is the smallest car Ford’s 1.0-litre wonder-engine has been fitted to and will be the only three-cylinder car currently on sale in the US. It will go on sale early next year.

Jaguar

Jaguar has chosen LA to unveil its most powerful saloon car ever. The XFR-S will feature a re-worked version of the supercharged 5.0-litre V8 from the standard XFR, increasing power to make the car more competitive with its German opposition, the BMW M5 and Mercedes E63 AMG. The new F-Type sports car, unveiled at September’s Paris Show, will also be there, sporting a new black styling pack.

Kia

Kia’s range of increasingly stylish cars gets a new addition next week, with the unveiling of the US and Asian-markets only Forte. Being shown in saloon guise, a two-door coupe model will follow.

Lamborghini

“The most exciting Lamborghini ever built,” according to the Sant Agata firm, which is unveiling a convertible version of its flagship supercar. Called the Aventador roadster, it will feature a one-piece lift-out carbon-fibre roof – a vast improvement over the previous Mercialago’s tent-like arrangement. Happily, the 6.5-litre V12 remains unchanged.

Mercedes-Benz

After unveiling the electric SLS E-cell at Paris, Mercedes is following up with the international debut of the hardcore SLS Black Series at LA. Sporting aerodynamic and mechanical tweaks carried over from the SLS GT3 race car, it will serve as a flagship for the AMG brand. Mercedes’ Ener-G-Force design study will also be on the company’s show stand. Based on G-Class underpinnings, the study is based on a police vehicle for the future and hints at design aspects of Mercedes’ forthcoming range of Land Rover-rivalling SUVs.

Mini

A number of new Mini models will be making their US debut this week. The second generation John Cooper Works GP hatchback – a hardcore, pared back version of the Cooper S, will be making its way to the states for the first time, with each US dealership likely to receive just one example. The new high-riding Paceman crossover-coupe will also be shown in North America for the first time. Featuring two-doors and revised rear end styling over the Countryman on which it’s based, it will be available in front and four-wheel drive guises. The revised Countryman crossover will also be at the show.  It’s been given a mild facelift and a number of interior tweaks to improve ergonomics and comfort.

Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi is hoping to increase its appeal to US customers with the unveiling of the new Outlander SUV at LA. A hybrid version will follow the petrol and diesel models in 2014.

Nissan

Nissan’s constant fettling of its GT-R supercar has resulted in a new model for 2013. No headline stealing performance changes, just a minutely thorough re-working to improve engine responsiveness, body rigidity and wheel control. It will take pride of place on Nissan’s LA show stand.

Porsche

Porsche’s long anticipated second generation Cayman will finally make its debut this week. Expected to draw design inspiration from the Carrera GT super car, the Cayman will be sold in newly downsized 2.7-litre and 3.4-litre ‘S’ form.

Subaru

Less utilitarian and more up-market is the direction Subaru has taken with its all new Forester SUV. Its subtly sporty styling is backed by a brace of Boxer engine options including a 2.0-litre turbo. Although no official word has been given, expect to see it in the UK at some point in 2013.

Toyota

Toyota has been particularly cagey with the latest iteration of the Rav4 compact SUV. Little has been revealed, other than that it will go on sale early in 2013, and that it is to be one of the first cars launched at the LA show.

Volvo

Aimed at giving the Volvo brand a much harder edge, the S60 saloon is the second model to be given a serious performance boost from Polestar. The S60 Polestar concept develops 508bhp from its 3.0-litre straight six, enough for Volvo to go toe-to-toe with the established performance saloon set, the BMW M5 and Mercedes E63 AMG. Whether Volvo will actually put it into production remains to be seen.

Volkswagen

The Beetle cabriolet, a soft-top version of the iconic hatchback now in its third generation, will be seen for the first time at LA. Drivetrain and chassis configurations are carried over from the hard-top, but the new roof design folds flatter for greater visibility and can open or close fully in just ten seconds.

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Horner: Hamilton exit weakens McLaren

McLaren will be a 'weaker team' after Lewis Hamilton's exit, reckons Red Bull boss Christian Horner.

McLaren will be a 'weaker team' after Lewis Hamilton's exit, reckons Red Bull boss Christian Horner.

Hamilton's departure for Mercedes in 2013 means Jenson Button will be joined at McLaren by Sergio Perez, who has scored three podiums with Sauber but is yet to challenge at the front consistently or win a race.

Along with Ferrari, McLaren has been Red Bull's main opposition through the Milton Keynes squad's three-season Formula 1 title run.

But Horner believes the loss of Hamilton will significantly hamper McLaren.

"I think McLaren is a weaker team without Lewis," said Horner. "I think McLaren would admit that.

"Lewis is an outstanding driver and in Lewis and Jenson they had a hugely strong driver line-up."

He added that he would not discount McLaren even with its new driver pairing.

"McLaren have had a great car this year and who's to say they won't have an even better one next year," Horner said.

But he also believes Mercedes is set to be a greater force with Hamilton onboard.

"Whichever team had taken Lewis, he would be an asset," said Horner.

"I'm sure he will naturally add performance to Mercedes next year."

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BMW plans entry-level M model

BMW's compact four-door M model will rival the Merc CLA45 AMG and Audi S3 saloon.

BMW is planning an entry-level M model based on a new saloon version of the second-gen 1-series. This compact four-door will be positioned as a direct rival to the upcoming Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG and Audi S3 saloon. The new BMW has already been earmarked to run a highly strung 2.0-litre turbo engine with at least 300bhp. The compact M performance saloon is likely to be launched in the latter half of 2015 at the earliest.

A thick shroud of secrecy surrounds BMW’s junior saloon plans. However, Autoexpo4 can reveal that the firm is mulling two separate strategies.

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New Range Rover launched

The latest Range Rover is lighter, more spacious; prices start at Rs 1.72 crore.

JLR launched the all-new Range Rover in India on November 30. The all-new Rangie has been re-engineered to become more competitive as a genuine luxury car on-road as well as becoming more capable off-road. The new model is lighter, more frugal, more spacious and significantly more refined, according to Land Rover.

The company says it is the world’s first SUV with all-aluminium monocoque construction and the new car is 180kg lighter than the previous model.

A 40mm longer wheelbase gives the new Rangie improved rear cabin space. It has been benchmarked against luxury cars such as the Bentley Flying Spur and Mercedes S-Class for ride quality and tyre and wind noise.

The latest Range Rover’s new-generation Terrain Response 2 system now includes an ‘auto’ setting, which analyses the terrain and can switch automatically between the five off-road settings.

The new Range Rover will be available in India with a 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbo diesel engine that makes 334bhp as well as a 503bhp 5.0-litre supercharged petrol V8. The base variant - the V8 diesel Vogue - is priced at Rs 1.72 crore. The V8 diesel in Autobiography trim is priced at Rs 1.79 crore, and the supercharged petrol V8, available exclusively in Autobiography trim, is priced at Rs 1.84 crore (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi).

Land Rover will start selling the 3.0-litre V6 diesel powered variant from June 2013.

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M&M bidding for Aston Martin stake

M&M competing with European group for 50 percent stake

According to media reports, a 50 per cent stake in Aston Martin could be sold before the end of the month. Bids have been made by Mahindra & Mahindra and European buyout group InvestIndustrial. Although M&M are reported to have made the higher bid, InvestIndustrial has also offered a technical partnership with Mercedes as part of the deal.

Aston Martin boss Ulrich Bez recently told Autoexpo4 that the company was not for sale, but conceded the potential need for a technical partner. Aston Martin’s Kuwait owners Investment Dar led a consortium that bought Aston Martin for £493m (Rs 4,394.7 crore) in 2007.

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Audi to start pre-owned car business

Audi dealers are planning to open the pre-owned outlets adjacent to the new ones, or in the vicinity, in various Indian cities.

Owning an Audi is going to become easier and more affordable now. The Volkswagen Group-owned brand is expected to roll out its exclusive pre-owned car programme called ‘Audi Approved Plus’ by December-end, for the first time in India.

According to sources, Audi Approved Plus showrooms will house about 8-10 Audis that will, on an average, be around 4-5 years old. According to a Gurgaon-based Audi dealer, a basic 2009 model A4 diesel saloon will cost anywhere between Rs 18-19 lakh in the Audi pre-owned outlets compared to Rs 30.10 lakh for a brand-new model. Authorised Audi dealers are planning to open the pre-owned outlets adjacent to the new ones, or in the vicinity, in various cities including Gurgaon.

This news comes close on the heels of a price increase announced on November 15 when Audi India confirmed a bump up of up to five percent across its model range from January 1, 2013. “The overall market scenario is challenging. The rise in input cost, depreciating rupee as well as continuous increase in fuel prices have made us re-evaluate our pricing strategy in India and increase the prices of the entire range. However, we are offering customers innovative and customised finance options from Audi Finance which will make their purchase more attractive,” said Michael Perschke, head, Audi India.

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New Porsche Cayman unveiled

Longer, lower, faster and lighter - new Cayman unveiled in Los Angeles

The renewal of Porsche’s sportscar line-up continues apace with the unveiling of a larger and lighter second-generation Cayman at the Los Angeles motor show.

The new mid-engined coupé adopts a redesigned platform offering improved weight distribution as well as a series of weight-saving measures that are claimed to result in a lighter car than its predecessor.

Sister car to the Boxster, which it will be built alongside at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen factory (and eventually the old Karmann factory in Osnabruck), the new Cayman receives slightly different proportions in a move that serves to stretch its silhouette and provide the basis for a larger cabin. Length is up by 35mm, width extends by a scant 1mm while height drops by 10mm over its predecessor at 4380mm, 1801mm and 1295mm, respectively.

The Cayman once again shares its styling with the Boxster. Distinguishing features include daytime running lights and indicators housed within a round unit, more pronounced rear haunches and a heavily angled liftback style tailgate at the rear.

As with its roadster sibling, the new coupé adopts an edgier appearance than its predecessor, with tauter surfacing and crisper lines, including a distinctive swage running through the doors and into larger cooling ducts ahead of the rear wheel arches. As part of Porsche's focus on weight saving, the body is predominantly aluminium. As on all recent Porsche models, the exterior mirrors are mounted on the doors rather than within the glasshouse. The wheelhouses have also increased in size, allowing Porsche to fit the range-topping Cayman S with 19 inch wheels as standard and offer 20 inch rims as an option.

The interiors are of higher quality with added levels of accommodation. The two-seat layout remains, but a longer cabin provides greater levels of seat adjustment and improved storage. Porsche claims 150 litres of luggage space in the nose and a further 162 litres at the rear in the space above the engine.

As with the Boxster, the new Cayman will be sold with the choice of two flat six engines: a new 2.7-litre and a reworked version of the existing 3.4-litre. Buyers will also be able to choose between two gearboxes: a standard six speed manual or a seven speed dual clutch unit, which can idle the engine and disengage the clutch on a trailing throttle to save fuel.

The 2.7-litre unit replaces the older 2.9-litre engine, producing an added 10bhp but 0.96kgm less torque, with 275bhp and 29.59kgm. It is sufficient to propel the 1310kg Cayman to 100kph in 5.7sec and up to a top speed of 266kph with the standard six-speed gearbox.  The dual clutch gearbox extends performance, with official claims of 5.4sec and 264kph.

It will be joined from the outset by the reworked 3.4-litre engine. It delivers 5bhp more but the same level of torque as the old unit, with 325bhp at 7400rpm and 37.74kgm at 4500rpm. This is enough to endow the 1320kg Cayman S with an official 0-100kph time of 5.0sec in six-speed manual form and 4.7sec with the dual clutch gearbox, together with corresponding top speeds of 284kph and  282kph. 

Underpinning the new Porsche is the same aluminium-intensive chassis used by the Boxster. It receives a 60mm increase in the wheelbase over the platform used by the outgoing first-generation Cayman at 2475mm. The tracks have also been extended by 36mm to 1526mm at the front and 5mm to 1540mm at the rear, giving it an even more confident stance.

As with the Boxster, the new car also adopts an electro-mechanical steering system and comes with the option of Porsche's PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) that offers differing damping, throttle and steering characteristics. The Cayman wears 18-inch wheels – 8 inches wide up front and 9 inches at the rear, shod with 235/45 and 265/45 tyres. The 19 inch wheels of the Cayman S are 8 inch wide up front and 9.5 inches at the rear and come with lower profile 235/40 and 265/40 rubber. The standard steel brakes are 315mm in diameter for the Cayman and 330mm for the Cayman S up front, with the two sharing the same 299mm rotors at the rear.

The reduction in height is said to provide a lower centre of gravity – something Porsche claims is at the heart of improvements in the Cayman’s overall dynamic ability. Nothing is official just yet but insiders suggest the Cayman S is up to 10sec per lap faster around the Nürburgring than the old model.

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Honda Amaze review, test drive

We drive Honda's new Dzire competitor - and its a diesel!

Here are our first impressions of Honda's much-awaited, Brio-based Amaze. It is a sub-four-metre saloon, much like the Maruti Swift Dzire, which Honda benchmarked extensively when engineering this car. What's also important is the engine under the bonnet of this car. It will be Honda's first diesel engine in India, and though Honda hasn't revealed the 1.5-litre i-DTEC motor's power or fuel-efficiency figures, expect around 80bhp and about 25-26kpl. The engine is a scaled-down version of the 1.6-litre diesel that Honda sells in Europe, so this four-cylinder unit has a twin-cam, 16-valve head.

Driving it around the Motegi test track in Japan, the motor impresses with its refinement. Even better, though, is its responsiveness. It pulls well from as low as 1000rpm, and there's a gentle surge at 1500rpm when the turbo comes on full song. This engine does its best work below 3000rpm, which is fine – it promises to be easy to drive in the city traffic. Also cementing its city-friendliness are the gearshift and clutch action, both of which are smooth and light.

Driving on Motegi's smooth surface, it's quite impossible to judge the ride, but the steering does have more weight than the Brio's and this is a good thing.

The other important bit about the Amaze is it's extended wheelbase. In keeping with its saloon credentials, the Amaze's wheelbase is 60mm longer than the Brio's. It also gets longer rear doors that make accessing the rear seats slightly easier. Once inside, you'll find a seat that is nicely cushioned, with a lot more legroom thanks to the longer wheelbase. It is incredibly spacious in here; a lot more so than the Maruti Dzire. Some may find the seat-back a tad too reclined though. The centre tunnel is also very low, so travelling three-up in the rear shouldn't be a problem.

Up front, you'll find a dashboard that's identical to the Brio's, and the front seats are the same as well. In-cabin storage spaces include two cup-holders and bottle-holders in the door pads. While Honda didn't reveal the volume of the boot, it is clear that the Amaze's boot is bigger than the Dzire's.

Speaking of which, the boot is well integrated into the Brio's design. Honda had released a teaser image of the Amaze before its official press unveiling and what became instantly clear is that this would be a proper, three-box saloon. It’s got a defined boot section and doesn’t have that truncated rear end of the Maruti Dzire. Honda has tried to add some flair to the design with a smart, rising belt-line on the rear door that culminates in the interesting, City-like wraparound tail-lamps, and even the bumper gets its share of creases. 

Other ways to distinguish the Amaze from the Brio are the double chrome slats on the front grille and the different front bumper. Apart from this, there have been no expensive sheetmetal changes, which is good – it will help Honda price the car well.    

The Amaze is no doubt an impressive car, one that, even on this quick drive, clearly shows how it sets the new benchmark in this class. Honda's back in the race and how!

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Jaguar to launch XFR-S at LA motor show

The company will launch a new range-topping performance version of the XFR saloon at the Los Angeles Motor Show next week.

Jaguar has confirmed that it will launch a new performance variant of the XFR saloon, the XFR-S, at next week’s Los Angeles Motor Show.

The company revealed no details of the XFR-S alongside this sole teaser image of the new saloon. It’s expected to use a version of the XFR’s supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine tuned to around 542bhp.

The XFR-S is described by the company as “the fastest and most powerful saloon Jaguar has ever produced”. 

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Honda’s Earth Dreams diesel; finally

Honda's impressive new 1.5-litre i-DTEC motor for India will be introduced at the beginning of 2013 in the Brio-based Amaze saloon.

The world’s largest maker of petrol engines, Honda, didn’t take easily to making diesels. Despite clear indications and global trends, the Japanese motorcycle and car manufacturer shied away from ‘dirty oil burners’ for years. Honda culture, you see, was all about petrol engines. Built on the bedrock of motorsport, high-revving petrol engines and driving pleasure, diesels were an anathema.

But the skyrocketing price of fuel and a loss of marketshare in certain markets has forced Honda’s hand. The new i-DTEC diesel engine is the first small capacity diesel to be launched by Honda. Known as Earth Dreams Technology, this new 1.6 engine will make its introduction at the beginning of 2013 and offers a potentially class-leading combination of 118bhp and 30.5kgm torque. 

 

“The key focus of our Earth Dreams Technology philosophy is to balance environmental efficiency with the dynamic performance expected of a Honda,” says Suehiro Hasshi of Honda. “It is important that our cars are fun to drive.” Developing this engine has been all about smart engineering, according to Honda, who is looking to make a large overall difference from small detail improvements.

Honda’s 1.5-litre i-DTEC motor for India uses the same architecture as the 1.6 and also comes with the same sophisticated hardware to reduce weight and friction. The only differences are that the Indian version has a smaller, fixed-geometry turbo (FGT) and no Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), which is not needed in India. The 1.5 shares its pistons with the 1.6 (the bore is the same) and hence it is only the stroke that has been reduced to bring the capacity below the critical 1.5-litre mark (to qualify as a small car engine and gain excise benefits). Honda claims this engine is the lightest diesel in its class and a host of weight-saving features have been used, like a thin-walled aluminium block, an aluminium head and lightweight cast-iron cylinder liners. 

 

Refinement is another area where Honda engineers have worked hard, especially since the properties of an aluminium block (which transmits more noise) require significant countermeasures. Honda has stiffened the crankcase and opted for liquid-filled engine mounts to reduce vibrations.

 

Also of interest is the fact that the engine has been designed to accommodate a variable-geometry turbo (VGT), so you can expect a more powerful version of this engine to power the next-generation City and Jazz too. Honda will produce the engine in India, localising many of the components, and that will mean a very competitive price could be possible.  

 

Lightest diesel in its class

 

Honda claims that the all-new i-DTEC diesel motor is the lightest diesel engine in its class. This feat was achieved by having all the individual components redesigned to minimise their weight and size, along with a reduction in the thickness of the cylinder walls to 8mm, which is great. The engine itself is comprised of an aluminium cylinder head joined to an open-deck aluminium block. The engine also utilises lighter pistons and connection rods to keep the weight as low as possible.

 

Reduced mechanical friction

 

Honda claims it has worked hard at reducing the mechanical friction of the i-DTEC engine. Case-in-point being the use of a shorter and thinner piston skirt, which, according to Honda, has around 40 percent less mechanical friction at 1500rpm than a conventional diesel – this will help fuel economy and smoothness.

 

Efficient fuel-injection system and air flow

 

With the use of a Bosch solenoid injection system, the i-DTEC engine is capable of operating at a pressure of 1800bar. This implies that the fuel is injected at a faster rate, along with a finer atomisation of the fuel spray. As a result, the fuel mixes more efficiently with the air, leading to a cleaner and more efficient mixture.

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