For the first time in our memory, the 2022 LA Auto Show press days were limited to one. In past years two or three days were reserved mostly for the press, though industry members could attend part of the time. Also, many of the usual players did not show.
But it had good concepts, good introductions, and was productive.
Alfa Romeo
With nothing new at the show, attendees could still see the Giulia Quadrifoglio, Stelvio Quadrifoglio, and the relatively new Tonale, due on showrooms at any moment.
Tonale
Available with a 256-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder or a 1.3 turbocharged plug-in hybrid, the former with a 9-speed automatic and the latter with a 6-speed, the Tonale enters the compact premium sport utility segment started by the Buick Encore. (Reports are that the 2.0 may not be offered, only the 1.3 plug-in hybrid.)
Nice luxury touches are available, such as heated and ventilated front seats, a wireless phone charger, and adaptive LED headlights.
But finally, it has the class and style of an Alfa Romeo.
Interesting note, the upcoming Dodge Hornet is its twin separated at birth.
Chevrolet
Colorado
In addition to Corvettes, Blazers, etc., Chevrolet had production versions of its Colorado midsize pickup for its first auto show appearance. Read more about it here.
Silverado HD
Making it an important show for trucks (quite strange for LA), the new 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD also made its first appearance here. As usual for new HD pickups, the Diesel engine (6.6 Duramax) increases in power and torque. The Allison 10-speed transmission is now standard on both gas and diesel engines.
3500HD models can tow up t 36,000 pounds.
A new 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard in most models and a 12.3-inch driver information center is available.
Trax
The 2024 Trax also appeared in LA for the first time. A compact sport utility, the Trax is now larger, has more safety features, and will be priced at only $21,495, including destination.
Dodge
Charger
The swan song of V8 Hemi Chargers is the King Daytona; shown here at the LA Auto Show, it has 807 horsepower. Read about all the 2023 Dodges here.
2024 Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee
Not new, but still bringing excitement, the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee concept is a peek into Dodge’s future post-Hemi. With an all-electric powertrain, performance that will beat a Redeye Challenger, and an electronic soundtrack that will chill your bones, this car needs to come to a dealership near you as soon as Dodge can manage it.
Fiat
500
Fiat? Yea, Fiat! Fiat has announced that the 500e, all-electric model will return to America for the 2024 model year. Three one-off models were displayed, all of European specification.
Ford
Escape
The refreshed 2023 Escape has a redesigned hood, bumpers grille and headlights. The plug-in hybrid and regular models were both in LA.
F-150 Raptor
The F-150 Raptor R gets the supercharged V8 from the now-defunct Shelby GT500. It’s rated a 700 horsepower. It’s a direct response to the supercharged Ram TRX.
F-Super Duty
The refreshed F-Super Duty pickup appeared at the 2022 LA Auto Show with a new grille, lights, bumpers, sheet metal, and cute steps on the side of the box. A new 6.8 V8 is standard. A ten-speed automatic is now standard.
Genesis
X Concept
The Genesis X Concept portrays how an all-electric halo convertible from the South Korean automaker could look. The Genesis X has four-place seating with 4-point racing harnesses on the front seats. An LED light surrounds where a traditional grille would go; the electric powertrain on Concept X doesn’t require one.
G90
The 2023 G90, on sale now, is fully restyled and reworked. Genesis’ (Hyundai’s) V8 is now defunct, with the G90 utilizing the 3.5 twin-turbo V6, or a new, hybrid 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged and electrically supercharged V6, the latter pumping out 409 horsepower. An air coil suspension is offered, and electronically adjusting shocks are standard.
Honda
Civic Type R
The new 2023 Honda Civic Type R makes its first U.S. show appearance in LA. With a 315 horsepower engine and more conservative looks, it promises strong sales… if Honda produces enough of them. Only a six-speed Manu (#SavetheManuals) is offered! 😉
CR-V
The redesigned CR-V rides on a longer wheelbase and a wider track. It’s clearly a CR-V, clearly a Honda.
HR-V
The redesigned HR-V was also at the 2022 LA Auto Show. It has more horsepower, larger brakes, a longer wheelbase, wider track, but interior dimensions and capacities aren’t very different.
Pilot
The Honda Pilot is redesigned for 2023, with a longer wheelbase, over an inch more track width, and a new TrailSport version. The TrailSport has an additional inch of ground clearance and other upgrades for actual off-roading.
Hyundai
N 74
The Hyundai 74 Prototype is on of those blasts of fun that used to dominate the car show scene. These days, concepts and prototypes at car shows, particularly in LA, are generally green concepts. In this case, the N Vision 74 rings both bells. As a working vehicle, the 74 is a hydrogen-electric hybrid vehicle with a fuel cell, a chargeable battery, and a battery system capable of rapidly recharging at 800 volts.
The ground effects, grille, and exaggerated side air scoop are all functional, feeding air to brakes, fuel cell, motor cooling, and battery cooling.
Ioniq 6
The Ioniq 6 is Hyundai’s next in its series of dedicated battery-electric vehicles. In character for an introduction at the LA Auto Show, the Ioniq 6 is a sedan, though not a traditional three-box affair. It boasts a maximum range of about 340 miles, and up to 320 horsepower (though not both). An aerodynamic coefficient of drag of only 0.22 is not surprising, looking at its profile.
Kia
Seltos
The Seltos receives an excellent refresh for 2024. This unique Pluton Blue color is one of three new ones available. An X-Line version has rugged off-road looks.
Land Rover
Range Rover Sport
Land Rover is not at the 2022 LA Auto Show. But Galpin Motors has an entire display room on the lower level and this completely new 2023 Range Rover Sport was there.
Lexus
RX
The LA Auto Show is the first public display of the redesigned RX. This top-selling luxury crossover now comes with a range of 4-cylinder engines. A 2.5 hybrid 350h is the mileage leader at 36 MPG combined with standard all-wheel drive. The RX 350 now utilizes a 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 275 horsepower borrowed from the Lexus NX 350. A new top-line RX 500h F Sport combined hybrid-electric and turbocharging for 366 horsepower, total.
RZ
Lexus’ first full battery-electric made its first public appearance at the 2022 LA Auto Show. It offers a standard 308-horsepower, all-wheel-drive electric drive system with a range of around 200 to 225 miles.
Lucid
Air
Lucid’s new top-performing model, the Lucid Air Sapphire, was presented at the 2022 LA Auto Show. Full details aren’t available, yet, but over 1200 horsepower through Lucid’s first three-motor system promises supercar levels of performance.
Nissan
Altima
The refreshed Altima was at the 2022 LA Auto Show. The representative model is this SR with the 2.0 turbocharged, variable-compression ratio 4-cylinder.
Ariya
This concept utilizes a wood-grained vinyl wrap, painted retro wheels with chrome centers, white-wall tires, custom roof rails, and a lowered suspension.
Versa
The Versa also sees a freshened design for the 2023 model year.
Porsche
911 Dakar
There is a sudden (unless you count Subaru WRX) interest in sports cars that can traverse bad or non-roads at very high rates of speed. The 911 Dakar is one of those. With 473 horsepower from its twin-turbocharged flat six-cylinder it can race over rough terrain at high speeds thanks to all-terrain tires, a 6.3-inch ground clearance, a 14.2-degree approach angle, 16.4-degree departure angle, and a 16.2-degree breaker angle. The 911 Dakar had its world premiere at the 2022 LA Auto Show.
911 GT3 RS
And for fast over pavement, the very tightly focused 911 GT3 RS is here. Lightened, and with a 518-horsepower, naturally aspirated 4.0-liter, rear-wheel drive and a 7-speed dual cloth transmission, the 911 GT3 RS can hit 60 MPH in three seconds according to Porsche, and then reach a top speed of 184 MPH.
911 Carrera T
The 2023 Porsche Carrera T, which also saw its world premiere at the 2022 LA Auto Show, is the purist’s Porsche. Lightweight glass, no back seat, and less sound insulation all reduce the curb weight. Then the suspension is further lowered, springs are stiffer and thicker anti-sway bars are fitted. Firmer seats, a sport exhaust system, and a 7-speed manual with a short-throw shifter all heighten the experience.
Ram
ProMaster Cargo Van
The refreshed Ram ProMaster van series gets a refresh with a new grille, bumpers, and available LED headlights.
Subaru
2024 Impreza
The redesigned 2024 Impreza was unveiled here! A sedan will not be forthcoming.
This new RS is one of the improvements for 2024. It features a new, larger 2.5-liter engine, a flat 4-cylinder with 182 horsepower.
Vinfast
With dealers signed up in California, all-electric Vinfast vehicles built in Vietnam will go on sale soon. All models carry a 10-year or 125,000-mile warranty. Find out more here.
VF6
The entry-level Vinfast is this compact SUV.
VF7
Next is this mid-sized SUV.
VF8
This SUV is still a 5-passenger model and offers up to 420 horsepower. It will be the first on sale.
VF9
Toys
The basement has some cool toys, brought to you by a local LA dealer.
Missing in Action
Above are the manufacturers, concepts, new models, in attendance. Notable for their absence are:
Acura, Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Ferrari, GMC, Infiniti, Jaguar, Karma, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Lincoln, Lotus, Maserati, McLaren, MINI, Mitsubishi, Mercedes, Rolls-Royce, and Tesla all missed LA this year.
