LA Motor Show 2013: Top 5 cars
Deputy news editor Luke Madden picks his top 5 show stars from this year's LA Motor show
With both the LA and Tokyo Motor Shows sharing the same calendar dates, there's always plenty of new metal to gawp at. In recent times motor shows appear to have grown up a little and its becoming increasingly rare for manufacturers to bring along those crazy concept cars that will never make it into production. The good news is most of the cars on display at the LA Motor show, however crazy their design may appear, will make it to the production in one way or another. Luke Madden picks his top 5 from the show.
OK, the Macan is another SUV from Porsche but we learned long ago to trust its engineers to deliver something special. We don’t get to drive it until February but Porsche is calling it the only ‘sports car’ in its segment, so we’re expecting it to be good. The design team, led by Michael Mauer has delivered a car that is instantly recognisable as a Porsche but features a few nice, unique design cues. The 3D rear lights and absence of shut lines in the bonnet are two stand-outs. Engines range from a 3.0-litre V6 diesel to a 396bhp 3.6-litre biturbo, capable of sprinting from 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds.
2. Mercedes AMG Vision Gran Turismo
Definitely one of the most outlandish concepts at the LA show, but Mercedes has said that the Vision Gran Turismo does actually point towards the car that’s set to replace the SLS next year. It’s powered by a biturbo V8 tuned to produce 577bhp, and it weighs in at 1,385kg. Visitors to the Mercedes stand were also invited to drive the Vision concept on the game it was originally designed for – Gran Turismo. We’ll have to wait until early next year to see the car that will borrow styling cues from the Vision, but if this concept is anything to go by, it’ll look very special indeed.
The standard Nissan GT-R is already one of the most extreme on the road, so you wondered what exactly Nismo could do to make it better. Turns out they tweaked the suspension and tuned the engine up to 587bhp, with the end result being a car that can sprint from 0-62mph in 2.4 seconds and lap the Nurburgring in 7:08. That is with the optional track pack fitted, though, which includes some carbon fibre body parts, cutting weight by 65kgs. There’s also a set of manually adjustable Ohlins springs.
4. New MINI
The design may be only a slight evolution but underneath MINI is promising its latest hatch is a definite revolution. More high-strength steels in the construction have improved rigidity, refinement and safety, while also cutting weight. There’s a range of three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines promising improve fuel economy, while the four-cylinder turbo in the Cooper S provides better acceleration than ever before. The MINI is really growing up, too, with hi-tech safety systems and quality cabin materials never before seen in the hatch. There’s even the option to spec your hatch with matt wood.
The Ford Edge wears a concept badge but you’re essentially looking at a production car that’ll be on UK roads during 2015. Ford has realised that many of its buyers are going for top-spec models so they see potential for an SUV that’s more expensive than its existing offerings. The Edge is based on the new Mondeo and will join the Kuga and the forthcoming EcoSport to complete Ford’s SUV line-up. We’re expecting a range of diesels, including a 2.0-litre TDCi, as well as petrol EcoBoost models and a hybrid. When it does make it to the UK it’ll cost just under £30,000.
