Starting tomorrow, the Los Angeles Auto Show will kick off with a number of world debuts, and TTAC will have live coverage starting Tuesday morning.
Among the debuts slated for the LA Show:
Acura ILX: Acura’s smallest sedan has gotten a tepid reception in the marketplace. But Honda’s luxury division has a host of upgrades planned for the mid-cycle refresh, with a rumored powertrain upgrade as well as all-new styling.
Audi: An R8 Competition model boasting 570 horsepower gives the current generation supercar a final send-off, while the A9 previews the future direction of an Audi flagship.
BMW: The X5M and X6M debut, featuring twin-turbo V8 engines and comically aggressive styling.
Cadillac ATS-V Coupe: The twin-turbo V6 version of Cadillac’s sport coupe will bring the fight to the BMW M3 and Audi RS5.
Chrysler: An updated 300 debuts, to match up with the revamped Charger.
Ford Mustang Shelby GT350: A flat-crank 5.2L V8 and a 6-speed transmission are featured in this follow-up to the Mustang Boss 302.
Honda HR-V: Honda’s B-segment crossover debuts for North America.
Jaguar F-Type AWD: Jaguar’s sports coupe can now compete with the AWD Porsche 911 Carrera 4.
Mazda: World debuts for the refreshed CX5 and Mazda 6, as well as the all-new CX3 small crossover
Mercedes-Maybach S600: The Maybach name is revived, on an exclusive version of the S-Class.
Scion iM: Toyota’s Auris, rebadged as a Scion.
Volvo V60 Cross Country: More cladding and a higher ride height should boost V60 sales.
CUVs, AMGs and now ATS-Vs… It’s a good day in TTAC-ville
Aside from the Acura badge, the ILX makes little sense when you can get a bigger, nicer, faster loaded V6 Accord for the same money. I don’t know why our enlightened Canadian brethren have been fans of it for so long.
Also, will we get the 2015 Charger SXT/Impala comparo?
Canadians haven’t been fans of the ILX “for so long”. It hasn’t been out long.
What a few people used to buy was the CSX, a lightly disguised Civic that didn’t cost $30 grand, and seemed particularly appealing to professional women. The ILX has a completely different body on the Civic (look at the way more upright windshield for a start) mechanicals and does not sell well at all, about 200 per month compared to 6,000 Civics.
Google an image for CSX and you’ll see how lightly disguised it was. Better tail lights mainly.
So the EL became rebadged as the CSX at some point when it changed generations in Canadialand?
@wmba –
You are correct, I forgot the Civic-based Acura was badged as an EL, then CSX. The first time I saw an EL I thought someone made some tasteful mods to their Civic.
I am not WMBA!
Sorry @coryDL!
The CSX, and before that the EL, were combinations of the Civic SI engine with a comfortable interior and suspension. They weren’t much more expensive than an SI, so the price was fair.
You could get an Accord around that price, but probably just a base V6 or loaded 4. Given the EL/CSX’s extra luxury, sportiness and fuel economy (and the Civic’s golden rep at that time), you can see why a lot of Canadians chose it over the Accord.
Bigger and faster is only “nicer” if you need more space and higher speeds. Rocket engined Peterbilt’s aren’t some ultimate highpoint of desirability for all conceivable automotive uses; although I have to admit I would like to take a peek at one if/when Jay Leno gets one and takes it out in public….
Another “debut” we need is better gauges for the ATS.
DeadWeight is going to be so disappointed that he didn’t get to say that first :(
check this out for comparative purposes:
2015 VW Golf TSI Gauges (not even GTI, either) – a 20k vehicle:
http://www.cnet.com/pictures/2015-volkswagen-golf-tsi-tdi-pictures/21/
2015 Hyundai Sonata Gauges – a 20kish vehicle:
http://www.auto-classics.com/the-design-and-appearance-of-hyundai-sonata-sport/2015-hyundai-sonata-sport-gauge-cluster
2006 Pontiac G6 Gauges – a 16k vehicle?:
http://dealerrevs.com/gallery/46939005.html
2015 Cadillac ATS Gauges – a 36k to ??? (55k) vehicle?:
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013-Cadillac-ATS-3.6-AWD-010.jpg
Even the 2006 Pontiac G6 Gauges are better.
A little OCD this morning, are we?
I’m looking forward to the day when Cadillac fixes this, leaving DW free to find other incredibly relevant criticisms.
For example…the typeface on the owner’s manual appears to be exactly the same as the one used on…the last Pontiac G6, which confirms for once and all the ATS is nothing more than a gussied up Pontiac.
Pontiac G6 would have never gotten such a Cadillac level, exquisitely sculpted, Art & Science hood scoop.
It’s the “Cadillac” of hood scoops!
@DeadWeight
Did you take some drugs this morning or just forget the /sarc tag?
28, the man lost his face, he’s having a bad Monday
Well that’s what happens when Nicolas Cage is your arch enemy.
Weekend BENDER but feelin’ groovy.
I see that unwell qualified lessees can get into a 2.0T ATS for $259/month $0 down sign & drive (Novi).
Johan de Nysschen be comin’ with Length on the C6 & C8 soon, though!
DW-
$80-$100 more a month will get you a CTS now. If it dips under $300/month, it will be hard to resist.
@DeadWeight
If only that was worth buying. They really need to get it down to Verano money (advertised $159 here when all the stars are aligned) although Verano is probably the better of the two.
Additional: $259 * 24 months is $6216 of payments on a $33K ride which depreciates *at least* $10K in the lease period because nobody wants them on the block. GM must be taking a bath on the Pontiac ATS, depending on the trim level.
MY13 Cadillac ATS I4
Base:
High: 24,7/2K/auto/turbo
Low: 19,0/38K/auto/non-turbo (Orlando = rental)
“Luxury” trim:
High: 23,2/12K/auto/non-turbo
Low: 19,7/29K/auto/turbo
“Performance” trim:
High: 34,0/1K/auto/turbo
Low: 24,5/11K/6 speed/turbo
“Premium” trim:
High: 34,1/220 miles/auto/turbo
Low: 26,5/2K/auto/turbo
I’d rather have a Verano over a ATS.
I may even prefer a Cruze.
I am not being sarcastic whatsoever.
Hmm, an updated 300? I’m cautiously optimistic.
You don’t want to see an 8-Mile John Varvatos v.2.0 DUB? It’s pure class.
I’d buy one, but then I’d get car jacked on the way to work in Detroit.
Yes, the type of people who enjoy buying the 300 is the same as the carjacker class.
I’ll just be direct:
The Chrysler 300 is twice as good (twice as quiet, twice as smooth, much better automatic, much better dit/finish, MUCH better ride quality, much better solidity, much better interior room and trunk space, much better UConnect, much better durability, etc.) AT 1/3 LESS than the latest Clack-i-lack that Zags.
Trolling attempt fail, DW.
Anyone who can’t see that the 300 is far more Cadillac than anything presently officially produced, distributed and sold as any Cadillac doesn’t “get” Cadillac’s problem.
If they could get rid of that tall, clunky hood the front end of that Caddy would be Honda-cool and seeableover.
Never fear, you can peer out through the panel gaps.
That’s easy…don’t buy the ATS-V.
Otherwise, to take the horsepower, you get the hood hump. Ditto on the M4.
“That’s easy…don’t buy the ATS-V.”
And live the rest of my life with that kind of regret?
I’d take one…but I’d probably be more interested in the one with the V6.
If the first digit in Shelby Mustang pricing starts with a “5”, I will order one. I think it will start with a “6” though, and I will have to wait and see if the 5.0L goes to DI on the Mustang GT.
Hopefully the usual dealer I order through will not mark the Shelby up past MSRP.
I think it will start with a “5” as in 57 or 58k. Mid “5s” would be nice but I don’t think that will happen.
I’m also wondering what the final power numbers will be. I’ll guess 545 h.p and 450 lb-ft.
I was hoping there would be a Mustang version above the GT and below the Shelby, like a Mach 1 or something. Something that boosted the performance of the 5.0L over the GT and offered some of the stuff on the Shelby. Ideally this made up Mustang could be had for the high 40s or low 50s.
If I can get one of these under $60K, I would be thrilled. I’ve been saving for this updated Mustang for a few years, and I am still trying to figure out what I exactly want.
“Jaguar’s sports coupe can now compete with the AWD Porsche 911 Carrera 4.”
I hope it loses, utterly. It has no heritage, fewer seats, will certainly be more brittle, rides less nicely, and will have a less effective AWD system. The interior on the Jag is not up to snuff either.
I just feel they shot too high on the pricing with the thing, by about $20,000. And I’m not even a 911 fan.
No heritage?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/1963_Jaguar_XK-E_Roadster.jpg/1280px-1963_Jaguar_XK-E_Roadster.jpg
Actually, I’d say Jaguar is doing the right thing and getting back to its roots with the F type, which I applaud.
And as far as the 911 goes…starting price on a Carrera 4 is over $91,000. Good luck getting one for that money, after the indispensable options like leather-covered A/C vents or custom-colored seatbelts are added in. The better comparison is between the F-type and a Cayman or Boxster…so if Jaguar can make the F-type run with a 911, all the better.
I know Jag has made roadsters in history, but this isn’t very pedigreed or historical. The 911, is.
The F-type compares more favorably to those lower end Porsche models – but I’d imagine Jag is shooting for the 911.
Jaguar’s been making roadsters since the E-type stopped production too. But they’ve primarily been tuned for touring, not sport, and the price is ridiculous – a XKR is well over $100,000. The F-type is more of a pure sports car, and it’s caught on quite nicely.
Check the sales of the F-type, and the Porsche Boxster. I don’t think this is a coincidence.
http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2014/10/september-2014-ytd-usa-all-cars-sales-figures-rankings-results.html
I think Jaguar’s on the right track with this type of car.
This would have something to do with the F-Type being brand new, and the Boxster being quite old about now, I believe.
I think I have a problem with the “too hard” mission of the F-type, and the lack of size (I think it should be XK replacement sized) and rear seating area. To me roadster implies two seats, so the XK was not a roadster.
Jaguar DOES make a larger convertible, the aforementioned XK, and I think they sell about 17 a year. There’s a reason for that: its competitor is the Mercedes SL, and no one’s been able to compete with that model since Nixon was in office. Mercedes rules the grand touring convertible market.
But as the F-type shows, there’s room to compete in the $60-80,000 sports car market. For Jag to be able to steal Boxster sales like that is pretty remarkable.
They DON’T make a larger one now though, it’s been dropped and the F-Type has to carry the replacement burden.
I agree they didn’t sell well, but then who wants to pay Merc prices for something which has lower resale and won’t hold up as well (and lousy cloth top vs folding metal)? You can always find a buyer for an SL, no matter when it’s from. And you’ll get lots of money back. Old Jags are worth peanuts (and for good reason). So I see your point on the MB.
I guess the only other real alterative was/is the 6-Series convo.
The refreshed Acura ILX might be interesting…and the Mazda 6 is already refreshed? Seems those guys just can’t gain much traction in that market.
The infotainment system is getting upgraded to the one in the 3 and 2. Same for the CX-5 shortly, I believe.
Beyond that? Dynamically it’s a great car that needs about 20 more horsepower (what Mazda doesn’t?) Would buy one if I needed that much room.
The only interesting things on this list would be the 300 update, the A9 supercar, and I’m mildly intrigued in the GT350… because Mustang.
The GT350 has 100 HP per liter from a naturally aspirated V8. It also sounds glorious.
What does the OHC Coyote do now?
87 HP per L
Maybe not…folks use to complain that the Esprit needed a V8, so they put one in with a flat crank and then they complained it didn’t sound like a V8. One thing for Lotus to sound different, but a Mustang has to sound like a American muscle V8.
It sounds like American muscle.
ATS-V photo looks like a Cobalt SS coupe. You stay classy, Cadillac!
Needs moar wing
It might be a footnote, but still wondering what engine will wind up in the next Mazda2. 1.3L and 1.5L for the rest of the world, but I’m holding out hope that the 2.0L will fit.
I’m looking forward to the Scion iM to see if it will be a valid replacement for my xB1. So far, it pretty much looks like an Elantra GT.