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The Los Angeles Motor Show opened its doors on 17th November 2010 to a great number of new cars and even bigger number of car enthusiasts and fans. Coming hot on the heels of the very successful Paris Motor Show, the show in LA promises to be one of the best shows this year. Below are some of the new cars being debuted as well as those that have been revamped and remodeled for the coming years.
Toyota MPVVVVV – Stretching it out
The Toyota exhibition stand is one of the standout one this year and it is dominated by the incredible stretch MPV concept vehicle. Based on the current US only sold Sienna MPV the car measures six meters from bumper to bumper and is an attempt to create a true family car (I cannot help but chuckle when I look at the car and imagine it as a family vehicle). Looking more likely to explode full of prom kids, the 18 foot monster has automatic sliding doors, a laminated wooden floor and a cabin that is full of options that includes a refrigerator as well as a computer with internet connection.
The car has a 3.5 liter, V6 engine that is mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox and it sits pretty on giant 20 inch chrome alloys, which give it some additional air suspension. Currently this car is more of a showstopper and there are no plans to put it into production, although sources at Big American Dream, a car customization company claims that if a requirement arose from a customer for these specifications then it could be built as anything was possible.
Honda Jazz EV rocks the boat
Honda has managed to pull a rabbit out of its hat with the unveiling of the new Jazz all electric concept vehicle, with stats that make for some pretty amazing reading. The car showcased at the show is officially a concept vehicle but there are images showing what the car will look like when it goes on sale in the Japanese and US markets in 2012, followed in the UK market soon after that.
The Honda Jazz EV will run on an engine used in the FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle and will deliver an estimated top speed of 90 mph and an astonishing 100 miles per six hour charge. Recharging the battery takes up to three hours from a normal household 240v socket. The driving range can be maximized by using the electric drive system which has three different modes and is an adaptation of the system used in the CR-Z. The drive system will allow the driver to select between an Economy, Normal and Sport mode to enhance driving experience for whatever situation he desires.
The driving range in the Econ mode is touted to increase by up to 17 percent when compared to the Normal mode and by up to 25 percent in comparison to driving in the Sport mode. Selecting the Sport mode increase acceleration significantly and generates a performance similar to a 2.0 liter petrol engine. The Jazz EV Concept that is featured at the Los Angeles Show is showcased in a Deep Clear Blue Pearl paint finish and has very distinctive aluminum-alloy wheels, with five spokes and cool blue inserts. The vehicle also comes with some unique LED headlamps, aerodynamic front fender, chrome accented front fascia, EV badging and clear LED tail lamps. The interior is upholstered in a very eco-friendly grey color and the fabric used on the seats is also bio-friendly.
Porsche Cayman R
The Porsche Cayman has started to show its potential. Porsche has used the LA Motor Show to debut its latest re-incarnation of the mid-engine Cayman - the Cayman R. The Cayman R is faster, lighter and more nimble that its predecessor the S version and has been developed by engineers at Porsche for the single purpose of enjoying driving dynamics to the maximum.
The new version is very close to the original Boxster Spyder in that it is also a fixed-roof type. It is the third model in the Cayman range after the Cayman and the Cayman S. The Cayman R is lighter than the S by around 55 kilos and employs a direct injection, inline six cylinder 3.4 liter engine that has been calibrated to deliver an additional 10 horsepower increasing maximum power to 325 horsepower. This results in a 0-60 mph timing of less than five seconds in the manual option and a staggering 4.5 seconds using the dual clutch PDK gearbox.
Weighing in at 1295 kgs the Cayman R has a very impressive power-to-weight ratio of 251 hp per tonne. Weight has been significantly reduced by the removal of anything that was seen as unnecessary and unimportant in terms of performance, meaning that the car does not come with a stereo and air conditioning. The fuel tanks gets smaller as well to aid in weight reduction and alloy wheels, light inside door panels and carbon fiber bucket seats along with door handles taken from the 911 GT3 RS.
Although the weight savings translate directly into better performance the handling is also very sharp and precise and this is due to the use of a limited slip-differential in addition to a 20mm lower sports suspension.
Distinguishing between the S and R version should be quite easy as well as the R version has a lower stance, 19 inch rims, sports body kit and fixed rear spoiler that is differently colored than the body. There is also a unique Peridot Olive Green metallic paint offered to those who really want to stand out from the crowd. Porsche has used the R (Racing) tag to distinguish models that have a high level of sporting pedigree and the Cayman R is no exception. Starting at an estimated $82,713 with the six-speed manual the Cayman R is eagerly awaited in the US and goes on sale in February 2011.
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