Started way back in 1907, the Los Angeles Auto Show has been one of the most recognised platforms for automakers to showcase their latest products and concept studies to the world. The numbers say it all - close to 4,000 media from more than 50 countries, and 900,000 guests grace the show over a period of 10 days.
Let's look at some of the highlights at this year's L.A. Auto Show:
Audi A3 Sportback e-tronAudi has given us a number of e-tron concepts - both at motorshows and on the big screens in sci-fi movies. Now it seems the moniker is getting closer to reality than ever. Unlike the previous concepts that bore the electric badge, the A3 e-tron looks ready for production. In fact it looks pretty much like the standard A3 Sportback.
It can be operated in four basic modes - electric only, automatic, hold mode, and charge mode - the last of which the engine not only drives the car, but also charges the on board battery.
The A3 e-tron is also capable of accelerating to 130km/h and cover up to 50km on electric energy alone. It is no slowcoach either, with 204bhp and 350Nm of torque that helps it to complete the century sprint in 7.6 seconds, while emitting just 35g of CO2/km.
BMW 4 Series Convertible
Following the successful launch of the 4 Series Coupe, BMW is stepping up the game with a convertible variant. The new moniker offers the four-seater cabriolet greater distinction from the 3 Series, while a slew of improvements have been made to ensure that works are not just skin deep.
For instance, the 4 Series Convertible is notably bigger than its forbearer - the 3 Series Convertible - to give it better on-road presence.
Furthermore, the 4 Series Convertible continues the practicality and flexibility with a three-part folding hard top, which can be now deployed or stowed in less than 20 seconds. Like its coupe counterpart, the 4 Series Convertible will come will a choice of straight six, four-cylinder petrol engines, as well as a four-cylinder diesel unit.
Honda FCEV Concept
Honda shed a light on its foresight - one that is powered by hydrogen, that is. Dubbed FCEV, the concept was also meant to hint at how the Japanese automaker's future fuel cell cars will look like.
As futuristic as the design could be, the concept will still seat five people with a generously-spaced cabin - highlighting the space utilising know-how that goes into the making of the car.
The real deal, though, lies underneath the sheet metal. With a 100kW hydrogen fuel cell stack, the FCEV is able to travel up to 482km - a 60 percent increase in efficiency over the previous stack in the FCV Clarity, while being 33 percent smaller in size.
Jaguar F-Type R Coupe
The dynamic F-Type range is now joined by a handful of Coupe variants, which further accentuated the model's elegant sportiness in its hardtop form. Jaguar has also headlined the coupe's global debut with a sizzling, range topping F-Type R Coupe.
Sporting a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine, the R Coupe is capable of dishing out 542bhp and 680Nm of torque.
With 0-100km/h dealt with in 4.0 seconds, it sheds 0.3 seconds off the century sprint timing of its most powerful roadster counterpart - the F-Type V8 S. Two more variants will complement the F-Type Coupe range - the base F-Type with 335bhp and a F-Type S with 375bhp, both courtesy of a 3.0-litre supercharged V6.
