In between the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s hoopla, it’s important to acknowledge one more winter perk. This is the time of year when all the big car companies unveil their latest customized creations. In SoCal, the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show gives fans a first taste of the exciting models to come and we were front and center to capture all of the action. Take a look at some of our favorite rides from the 2013 L.A. Auto Show – and if you’re in L.A., head to the Convention Center between November 22nd and December 1st to experience “Carma-Sutra” for yourself. Tickets max out at just $12!
Mercedes AMG Vision Gran Turismo
What can we say? We’re suckers for high-class cars. The Mercedes AMG Vision Gran Turismo is still in the concept stage, but we’re hopeful it’ll hit the assembly line soon. The car was originally designed to appear in the video game Gran Turismo 6 for PlayStation 3. Fans packed the Benzo kiosk to sit in this epic ride, which boasts a 577-horsepower, 5.5-litre V8 engine. It’s also got an airplane-style cockpit and can rev up to 4,500 rpm’s. Besides the power under the hood, it’s got bling in the from with an LED grill which lights up and can change patterns – think KITT from Knight Rider.
Lexus LF-LC
As you can imagine, our eyes were immediately drawn to Lexus’ cherry red LF-LC concept. This bad boy would make jaws drop on any major boulevard and has some amazing specs. Outside of its revolutionary exterior (featuring aluminum frames and a dot matrix light system), the LF-LC cockpit uses state-of-the-art LCD touch screen technology to sync with all of your smart devices. It’s also completely eco-friendly and won’t hurt your wallet at the pump.
Honda FCEV
Utilizing hydrogen fuel cell power and a sick design, Honda’s FCEV looked like something out of the next Star Wars movie. This sturdy ride comfortably fits four and can run 400 miles before each fill up. We love the FCEV’s groundbreaking design, though realistically there’s no chance it’ll reach a dealership before 2015.
Maserati Ghibli
We know, this ride will do some MAJOR damage to the bank account; but it is breathtaking nonetheless. Maserati’s Ghibli won raves from Auto Show guests and will easily wind up plastered on walls and garages in the months to come. Powered by a 3.0-litre-twin-turbocharged V6, it’s taking the horses to astronomical new extremes.
BMW i3 Concept Coupe
The ultimate driving machine just got a little more compact. BMW rolled out another version of its eco-friendly i3 series, in the form of the i3 hybrid. It picked up a ton of press attention, channeling Mini elements into their sleek German design. During the unveiling of the three door coupe, fans got some impressive specs, including 184-feet of torque, thermoplastic body panels and a 240-volt circuit.
Acura RLX Sport Hybrid
In case you hadn’t noticed, fuel efficiency was a hot topic at this year’s show. One of our favorite all-around hybrids was Acura’s 2014 RLX Sport. This one has three electric motors, all-wheel drive capabilities and a dual-clutch transmission. It’s also incredibly sleek, with an aerodynamic design, cushy interiors and a souped up navigation system.
Photos Courtesy of Michael Lopez