Round up of new cars from the LA Auto Show
Here’s the most important new cars and concepts from the US car show
By Shahzad Sheikh
Mercedes Ener-G-Force
Mercedes showed the Ener-G-Force concept as its future version of the classic G-Wagon. As part of the challenge to find a Highway Patrol Vehicle for 2025, Mercedes has presented this – the Ener-G-Force.
Arguing that the police car of the future must be able to reach any place quickly and reliably in an environmentally-friendly manner, this is an off-roader emergency response vehicle. The small glass areas make the vehicle a safe cocoon for the law enforcement agents inside.
It’s said to be modelled on the G-Wagon and could influence future Mercedes design for off-roaders. There’s less hope for the motive force being realised though – a hydro-tech converter uses recycled water and other natural and renewable resources and turns them into hydrogen for the fuel cells. There are motors in each wheel hub and a geography scanner on the roof analyses the surrounding terrain.
This could be a hit here in the 2020s! Wonder if Sheikh Mohammed would have one?
Jaguar XFR-S
Oh! We’ve been waiting for this one. The XFR is one of our favourite fast saloons and this is the fastest and most powerful saloon that Jaguar has ever produced. 542bhp from a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 with 502lb ft of torque giving a 0-100kph time of 4.5secs and 300kph.
It comes with 20-inch Varuna-design alloys, wider front grille and carbon fibre spoilers. Lateral stiffness in the suspension is up by 30%. The eight-speed auto has faster more aggressive gearchanges and the central silencer is replaced with straight-through rear pipes. Should go on sale in the middle of next year.
New Toyota RAV4
The all-new fourth generation version of the RAV4 has been revealed. The original car from 1994, dubbed ‘Recreational Active Vehicle 4-wheel drive’ set a new trend that’s followed to this day with over 20 different models competing in the segment.
It’s sold more than 4.5 million units in over 150 countries, and the new car remains familiar, but is 205mm longer, 30mm wider but 25mm lower. There’s a whole new and updated interior with a lower seating position. Plus of course there is more room inside.
We’re looking forward to getting this in the region next year.
Porsche Cayman
We’ve already seen, tried and fallen for the new Boxster, now here’s its hard-roofed sibling, the all-new Cayman which is 30kg lighter and 40% stiffer than the old car and is now on sale.
It will come with two flat-six ‘boxer’ engines – the 2.7-litre and the 3.4 with power at 275bhp and 325bhp respectively. Expect performance to be 0-100kph in less than 6 seconds for the 2.7 and around 5 seconds for the larger-engined S. We can’t wait to give them a run soon!
Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet
The new Volkswagen Beetle has made its debut. It’s the latest drop top version of the ‘Love Bug’ 330,000 of the original convertibles were produced between 1949-1980 and 230,000 of the new versions have been made in previous generation guide between 2002-2010.
The new car is 29mm lower, 152mm longer and 84mm wider than the previous cabriolet, giving it a lower and meaner stance and adding such much-needed masculinity.
The roof folds down in just 9.5 seconds even whilst on the move up to 50kph and the launch editions have been issued in retro-style paint schemes. We’re still waiting to find out if the Beetle will come here.
