The 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show is now open to the public, and TTAC contributor Forest Casey and I figured it would be a nice weekend treat for you out there to gaze upon some of the cars that automakers unveiled at the show.
If you’re attending the show, consider this a preview of what you’re going to see, and if you aren’t, here’s an idea of what you’re missing.
Forest (mostly Forest) and I shot too many pictures to run them all, but here I present a quick selection, grouped by brand in alphabetical order.
One note: Some photos are still being edited, we will update as more come in.
BMW
BMW i3S
BMW i8 Roadster
Jaguar
Jaguar I-PACE e-Trophy racer
Jaguar XE SV Project 8
Jeep
Kia
Refreshed Kia Sorento
Lexus
Lincoln
Mazda
Mitsubishi
Subaru
Toyota
Volvo
Volkswagen
[Images © 2017 Forest Casey and Tim Healey/TTAC]
Its amazing how much in common the Mitsubishi has in the front with the Lexus. The sharp edged hourglass shaped maw, although with material inside, is very similar. Mitsubishi’s is visually separated by a chrome grille at the top and a more open area at the bottom, but its still similar in overall appearance IMO.
I know it isn’t new for Mitsubishi or Lexus, its just kinda funny how they resemble each other yet could hardly be further apart on the automotive perception food chain.
What is it with the nearly vertical front on these vehicles? Does it have to do with safety standards or somehow reducing drag? I hope it isn’t just design. Almost every 2018 vehicle seems to have these large front grills positioned almost vertically. Very unsightly to my eye.
Pedestrian impact standards.
John has it right, stylists don’t have much room to wiggle any more when it comes to design. IIRC the only real place they have any degree of freedom is the rear fascia. Everything else is heavily controlled.
Nothing from Honda, huh?
I guess they figured that being California, anything with an “H” on the nose would’ve been stolen at least twice before the show even began.
Honda not ready to release the two row midsize Pilot Sport/Compass. It not even being prototype in the U.S. but in the EU! That is being very secretive for a NA model only Honda.
I’m surprised VW didn’t bring an Arteon over for the show :(
I’m impressed with the Nautilus, and intrigued by the Sorento diesel. Can’t wait to learn more.
It’s just hard to see “Nautilus” misspelled 3x in this story.
Fixed, thanks!
I would be far more intrigued by the Sorento if it was still a BOF SUV. It does look better after the refresh.
I like the speed holes on the front of that Jag XE!
yawn
I’m impressed that Jeep could completely overhaul the Wrangler and still make it look identical to older models going back several decades.
Identical?
I was just thinking about how nice Jeeps used to look, and how it’s now a cartoonish version of what we used to have.
I’m even liking the original YJ wrangler more with every passing year, square headlights be damned.
This goes back to what I was saying in the Subaru Ascent thread. You like Jeeps and notice the differences immediately. He could care less about them, so “they all look exactly the same”.
I’m not even sure I “like” Jeeps, as they have left me stranded on the side of the road more than any other make.
Even cars that I hate, or downright ignore, are increasingly…ugly.
I wish engineers could figure out how to give us modern safety with smaller pillars and lower beltlines. I wish designers would recognize that not everyone wants a chopped or swoopy looking roof.
It’s sad when I start pining for the style of cars that I thought were ugly (Saab, 1980s GM sedans). I even saw a 1980s Dodge Ram the other day and thought “that’s a nice truck” as opposed to questioning why someone would have chosen not to buy a C/K or an F-150.
It is funny how perspective can change, isn’t it?
Also, too bad the BMW i3 has a stop sale and recall on every US i3 ever sold.
Bad news for every skinny five-foot-tall lady who bought an i3…
So no CX-5 Diesel at the show? I’m shocked!
Toyota’s 2 small ute concepts have me anxiously waiting for production versions… While I am not a huge fan of the styling of either (not bad, just over-styled), I assume the hot wheels aspects will be toned down and that makes them exactly what I am waiting for… gah.
They will end being a new Toyota Matrix with some Pontiac style body cladding. They’ll sell like hot cakes but yuck.
I hope this is the next Rav4, and the FT-4X is an alternative to the CH-R for people who actually want to go down a muddy, rutty trail and be able to carry stuff inside, and see outside.
That 4wd Ford Econoline looking thing? Itd be good for those who dream of buying a 4wd Mitsu Delica for epic road trips with a destination off the paved road. I’d love all three of them to hit Toyota showrooms. I’d seriously look at the FT-4X if they did it right, with some decent off-road chops. No, I don’t expect it to compete with Wrangler and Bronco, nor replace the FJ-Cruiser, but it could have a decent 4wd system and ground clearance to make it everything the CH-R isn’t.
Mercedes is holding off on the G Wagon auto showroom tour! Wonder why?