Young visitors look at the Kia GT at the L.A. Auto Show. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)
A Mexican-made Mastretta MXT is displayed at the Los Angeles Auto Show. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
“Mission Impossible” actress Paula Patton waves to the crowd after introducing the new BMW I8 concept vehicle at the Los Angeles Auto Show. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
The Jaguar C-X16 is displayed at the Los Angeles Auto Show. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
The Land Rover DC100 is displayed at the Los Angeles Auto Show. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
The Land Rover DC100 Sport is displayed at the Los Angeles Auto Show. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
BMW’s i8 concept mounts over the front axle the same electric motor that’s found in the i3 (which puts out 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque). It then pairs that electric motor with a 1.5-liter, turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine that makes 220 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Together, the two powerplants move the i8 from 0-62 miles an hour in less than five seconds and can travel up to 20 miles on electric power alone (Hannelore Foerster / Bloomberg)
BMW’s i3 concept, seen here at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show in September, is powered by an electric motor capable of 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. BMW says the vehicle will go from 0-60 in less than eight seconds and is designed primarily for urban living. In addition to being an EV, BMW says much of the interior is made from renewable materials. (Hannelore Foerster / Bloomberg)
Though it looks production ready, Ford’s Fiesta ST Concept is just that, a concept. Ford says when and if the car sees production, it will have a 1.6-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine putting out 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. The powerplant also features technological tricks like direct injection and variable camshaft timing to wring maximum power while staying efficient. (Ford Motor Co.)
Subaru used the L.A. Auto Show to give us a look into its crystal ball. The company recently announced a new design philosophy of “Confidence in Motion,” and debuted the first practical application of it here with the Impreza Concept. Read more >>(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Nissan unveiled its concept Ellure on Wednesday. The four-door four-seater is a dedicated attempt to breathe new life into the dowdy sedan segment. It specifically targets professional women. Read more >>(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Nissan broke new ground Wednesday when it unveiled its new Murano Cross Cabriolet -- a convertible crossover that will start at $46,390 when it comes on the market next year. Read more >>(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Jaguars new supercar concept, the C-X75 makes its North American debut here in L.A. This plug-in halo car joins high-end concept supercars exploring electric propulsion, such as Porsches 918 concept and Audis e-tron concept. The C-X75 builds on Jaguars legacy of high-end supercars in the vein of its XJ220 or XJR-15. Read more >>(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Kia, the Korean automaker that recently beat out Toyota and Honda in a popularity survey among Gen Y car buyers, unveiled its new 2011 Optima Hybrid and its electric, futuristic-looking Pop concept car on Wednesday at the L.A. Auto Show. Read more >>(L.A. Auto Show)
Mazda has unveiled its Shinari. The four-door concept, revealed Wednesday, is the first iteration of the Japanese manufacturer’s new Kodo design philosophy: “soul of motion.” Read more >>(L.A. Auto Show)
