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2006 Los Angeles Auto Show
By: Frank Filipponio
Photos by Drew Phillips and Frank Filipponio
January 12, 2006

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Tired of fighting for attention with the NAIAS in Detroit, the Los Angeles Auto Show will celebrate its 100th Anniversary by officially moving to a fall timeslot for 2007, with the theme "A New Beginning." Interesting bit of trivia: The first L.A. Auto Show was actually held at a skating rink, about four blocks away from its current home at the L.A. Convention Center, in January 1907. The interesting part is that the 100th show will happen in November 2006, so L.A. showgoers get twice as much automotive excitement this year.

But that's almost a year away and the 99th show is why we're here. This show features more than 1,000 vehicles including 30-plus North American or World debuts of production vehicles and concepts. As diverse as Los Angeles itself, the show covers everything from sport compacts to supercars, trucks to hybrids, reflecting the hottest trends in the automotive world today, including bold styling, fuel-efficiency, and of course power.

Youthful styling and great economy are the name of the game with Toyota's all-new Yaris, which slots below the Corolla, and is making its World debut. Honda has radically redesigned its best-selling Civic for 2006 and Chevrolet's redesign of its Aveo for 2007 finally makes it an actual competitor in class. Volkswagen decided to bring out the 5th generation GTI along with the all-new Eos convertible coupe that offers a unique top housing a sunroof in a retractable roof. They promise this will be in showrooms soon, at a price that will surprise, in a good way. As will the new Saturn Sky that shares a platform with Pontiac's Solstice but looks like a 5/8 scale C6 Corvette.

Hybrid sedans, like the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic and Accord, are as popular as ever and are now being joined by classes of vehicles that could really use the extra mpg boost hybrid powerplants offer. Six new SUVs and trucks are available as hybrids, including the Lexus LX 400H, the popular Ford Escape Hybrid and the new Mercury Mariner Hybrid, which won Green Car Journal's, Green Car of the Year award. On hand for the presentation was Carroll Shelby, who admitted his focus has been more on horsepower than economy: "The environment hasn't always been at the forefront of what I've done in the automotive world, but with today's technology, there's no reason why we shouldn't all be doing everything we can to protect it."

Although station wagons have seen a bit of a resurgence in recent years, "crossover" vehicles are all the rage right now. Mazda World-debuted its all-new CX-7 that will hit showroom floors in the spring. After seeing boxy and boring SUVs everywhere, this thing is quite a looker, and it promises performance to match those sexy good looks. Mercedes-Benz calls its R-Class a Sports Tourer, but it looks more like a minivan. Although the AMG R63 version should make it the fastest minivan on the planet.

Regular SUVs aren't going away anytime soon, as evidenced by Audi's first-ever class entry, the handsomely sporty Q7. Hummer, meanwhile, keeps to its signature military vehicle, tough-guy look on its smaller H3. Big news for the future health of GM is Chevrolet's redesigned 2007 Suburban as well as the GMC Yukon XL. Toyota is rolling out its retro-funky but highly affordable FJ Cruiser. And Porsche brought out the big guns with its second-most-powerful road vehicle ever, the new Cayenne Turbo S, sporting 521 horsepower. When asked how he could justify such a powerful "grocery-getter," Porsche's Executive Vice President of Research & Development, Wolfgang Dürheimer repeated the old company line to great effect: "Nobody needs a Porsche. They want a Porsche. And Porsche to most means performance without compromise."

High-performance sports and luxury cars are always a big attraction in Los Angeles, and they are well-represented at this year's show. BMW is introducing its wicked M6, Mercedes a super-important and super-hi-tech new S-Class, and Lamborghini offers its new open-air Gallardo Spyder. Maybach has introduced a new 57S, Maserati its GranSport Spyder and Quattroporte Sport GT. Spyker adds the C12 LaTurbie (with the Audi W-12) and C8 Laviolette (read coupe) that will make a big splash on the silver screen in March when Sharon Stone pilots one in Basic Instinct II. While Fisker Coachbuild is showing off its gorgeous limited edition Tramanto and Latigo two-model lineup.

Lower down the sports car totem pole, but moving in the right direction, Pontiac unveiled the Solstice GXP turbo sporting 260 hp, while up on the adjacent stage Jay Leno was chauffered to the podium in the Corvette Z06 Daytona Pace Car that he will pilot in February. Typical of Leno, he had a few words about that arrival: "They trust me to drive it at 180 miles per hour on a race track, just not to drive it 20 feet up a ramp." Porsche is using the show to introduce the stunning mid-engined Cayman S to North America, its biggest market. Around the corner Lotus has an answer in the new fixed-roof Exige. Ferrari, always a big draw, announced the F430 Spider as the Robb Report's Car of the Year for 2006. Parked in its shadow, but certainly not eclipsed, is the new F430 Challenge car. And for sheer exclusivity and performance, there is the $1.2 million, 987-horsepower Bugatti Veyron, that's making its North American debut. This car looks like a handcrafted concept car with its carbon fiber and aluminum details, but it is very real.

For actual concept cars, Jeep shows a pair - the rugged Gladiator that is a cross between a pickup and SUV, and the Hurricane, which features not one, but two Hemi V-8 engines. Audi introduces its 250-horsepower Shooting Brake three-door hatchback, and not content with the production Q7 shows off a hybrid version promised for the not-too-distant future. GM showcases its Sequel, an aerodynamic coupe powered by an advanced fuel cell engine, as well as the Cheyenne full-size pickup. Hyundai introduces its NEOS III concept that is packed with technological innovations.

Mitsubishi is showing something fairly close to reality with its Eclipse Ralliart: A generous dip into the parts bin that results in 405-hp from the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. Chrysler has its sensuous Firepower, based on the Dodge Viper, but powered by a Hemi V-8. Meanwhile the Nitro is intended to expand Dodge's SUV model range with this sub-Durango, Liberty rebody whose V-6 engine and 4x4 driveline are pure Jeep. Volkswagen, apparently not content with debuting the GTI and Eos, wowed the crowd with its GX3 motorcycle-meets-sports-car concept that could see production. It promises sub 5-second 0-60s, 46 mpg, and solo carpool lane driving at an anticipated affordable price. And last, but certainly not least, the Maserati Birdcage 75th is an extreme sports prototype that honors to the spirit of the dream car era and is based on the racing chassis of the Maserati MC12 with over 700-hp coming from its V-12 engine. The Birdcage 75th is loaded with technology from its partner, Motorola, such as a transparent heads-up display, numerous cameras and an advanced communications systems.

The LA Auto Show literally has something for everyone. In addition to all the new vehicles, there's an entire hall the size of three football fields dedicated to the aftermarket. Below the South Hall you'll find specialty vehicles, plus custom wheels and tires, body and interior components, electronics and audio systems, and high-performance parts to satisfy any taste or lack-there-of. Scattered around this hall are several vehicles that will surprise including Monster Trucks and electric vehicles, A Ferrari F50 and Porsche Carrera GT, as well as a pink MX-5 and drag-racing CHP Camaro. You can also find a million dollar set of rims for your Bentley or look into the latest in car tattoos as shown on a flat-and-gloss black Mazda5.

Like I said, something for everyone. Can't wait for the second L.A. Auto Show of 2006, when L.A. should step into the spotlight and be able to attract even more debuts and significant announcements. See you in November.