LA Auto Show: 2018 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid Coming Soon

The 2018 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), Kia’s third plug-in model with an estimated 26-miles of all-electric range, pairs an all-aluminum, efficient 1.6-liter GDI (gasoline direct injection) four-cylinder engine with an 8.9 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack and a powerful 60 horsepower electric motor. The Niro PHEV has an MPGe rating of 105, its EPA-estimated MPG ratings of 48 mpg city, 44 mpg highway and 46 mpg/combined are similar to those of Niro hybrid. The estimated driving range when both electric and gasoline systems work together is up to 560 miles. A full charge can be achieved in approximately 2.5 hours via a 240V (Level 2) charger, and under 9 hours via a 120V (Level 1) charger. The 2018 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid anticipated in retailer showrooms by the end of this year.

LA Auto Show: Toyota FT-AC Concept

The Future Toyota Adventure Concept, or FT-AC, represents the next level in Toyota’s adventure-loving lineup of concept vehicles.

LA Auto Show: 2018 Eclipse Cross Arrives In March

The all-new 2018 Eclipse Cross, in ES, LE, SE and SEL trim levels, is powered by a 152 horsepower 1.5-liter direct-injection turbo engine, and has a dual-pane, power-sliding panoramic roof, 7-inch smartphone link thin display audio with touchpad controller, Head-Up Display, heated rear seats and MITSUBISHI CONNECT. The starting MSRP for the Eclipse Cross is $23,295 (excluding destination & handling charges). The Eclipse Cross is equipped with Mitsubishi's S-AWC (Super All-Wheel Control) system. The Eclipse Cross will arrive in dealerships in March 2018.

LA Auto Show: 2018 Nissan Kicks Coming In June

The all-new 2018 Nissan Kicks, a front-wheel drive compact crossover comes in Kicks S, Kicks SV and Kicks SR trim levels, and is powered by a standard 125 horsepower 1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with Continuous Variable Valve Timing Control System mated to an Xtronic transmission and expected to have a fuel economy rating 33 mpg combined. Kicks hits Nissan U.S. dealerships in June 2018.

LA Auto Show: 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 Cabriolet

The redesigned 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 Cabriolet is powered by a new 463 horsepower 4.0L V8 biturbo engine mated to a 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission and will go on sale in the U.S. in mid-2018.

LA Auto Show: 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS Coming Next Fall

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS is an all-new four-door coupe that seats 5 passengers powered by a completely new 362 horsepower in-line six-cylinder engine in the CLS450 and CLS450 4MATIC with a 21 horsepower boost from the integrated starter-generator known as EQ Boost that assists the combustion engine when accelerating. The optional Driver Assistance Package consists of Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Steering Assist, Active Speed Limit Assist, Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, PRE-SAFE® PLUS and PRE-SAFE® Impulse Side. The speed is now adjusted automatically ahead of bends or junctions. The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS will go on sale in the U.S. by Fall 2018.

LA Auto Show: 2018 Jeep® Wrangler

The all-new 2018 Jeep® Wrangler 2-door model is available in three different trim configurations: Sport, Sport S and Rubicon and the Wrangler 4-door models are available in four different trim configurations: Sport, Sport S, Sahara and Rubicon. The 260 horsepower 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 and all-new 270 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engines join the Wrangler lineup, while the 285 horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine is upgraded for 2018. An all-new six-speed manual transmission is standard on all Wrangler models and a new-to-Wrangler eight-speed automatic transmission is optional.

LA Auto Show: 2018 Saleen1 Coming Next Year

The 2018 Saleen1, built in Corona, California, is powered by a 450 horsepower 2.5L 4-cylinder turbo engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission with a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds to a top speed of 180 mph. The Saleen1 is expected to be on sale late next summer for $100,000 and the company is now taking orders with a $1,000 deposit.

LA Auto Show: 2019 Subaru Ascent Coming This Summer

The all-new 2019 Subaru Ascent three-row SUV, the biggest Subaru ever built with a 113.8-in. wheelbase, is powered by an all-new 260 horsepower 2.4-liter BOXER engine with a new version of Subaru’s high-torque Lineartronic® CVT (continuously variable transmission) and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. The 2019 Ascent comes standard with 19 standard cup and bottle holders, EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology that includes Automatic Pre-Collision Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure and Sway Warning, Pre-Collision Throttle Management, and new EyeSight Assist Monitor (EAM) which provides a heads-up display of the EyeSight system warnings as well as system status information on the windshield of the vehicle. Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are also available. The 2019 Ascent also offers available Reverse Automatic Braking that apply the vehicle’s brakes if an obstacle is detected while reversing. The new U.S.-built Ascent will be available in base, Premium, Limited and Touring trim lines when it arrives in Subaru retailers in early Summer.

LA Auto Show: 2018 Lexus RX 350L, RX 450L

The 2018 Lexus RX 350L, powered by a 290 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to an 8-speed Electronically Controlled Transmission, and RX 450hL with the 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine paired with two high-torque electric drive motor-generators producing 308 combined system horsepower, will now have the option of a third row with the seven-seat version having a 40/20/40 split bench-type second row seat and full-length side curtain airbags covering all three rows. The available six-seat configuration features second-row captain’s chairs that make third-row ingress/egress easier with “walk-in” convenience. RX L models include a flat load floor behind the folded third-row, two third-row cupholders, an easily stowable tonneau and covered slide rails. The RX 350L will have a starting MSRP of $48,665 (FWD) and $50,065 (AWD) (including a delivery, processing and handling fee of $995) when they go on sale before yearend.

LA Auto Show: 2019 Infiniti QX50

The all-new 2019 Infiniti QX50 luxury, front-engine, front-wheel-drive-based mid-size crossover powered by a 268 horsepower 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine that adjusts its compression ratio to optimize power and efficiency with comined city/highway fuel economy of 27 mpg and 26 mpg for the all-wheel drive. The engine is paired with INFINITI’s new XTRONIC continuously-variable transmission, a ‘shift-by-wire’ system which eliminates the need for traditional gears. QX50’s ProPILOT Assist system include Direct Adaptive Steering and Intelligent Cruise Control along with Distance Control Assist, Back-up Collision Intervention, Predictive Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Warning and Intervention, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention, and Forward Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection. The all-new 2019 Infiniti QX50 will go on sale in the first quarter of 2018.

LA Auto Show: Porsche 718 Cayman GTS and Boxster GTS

The new Porsche 718 Cayman GTS starts at $80,850 and Porsche 718 Boxster GTS starts at $82,950 (including the $1,050 delivery, processing, and handling fee) and are powered by a 365 horsepower 2.5 liter flat-four cylinder turbo engine mated to a 6 speed manual transmission or an optional seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission capable of accelerating from zero to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds to a top track speed of 180 mph. The new 718 Cayman GTS and 718 Boxster GTS will start arriving in February.

L.A. Auto Show: 2019 BMW i8 Roadster World Debut

The 2019 BMW i8 Roadster two-seater is powered by a 369 horsepower hybrid-specific all-wheel drive, with a combustion engine driving the rear wheels and the electric motor driving the front wheels producing 0 to 60 mph acceleration in 4.4 seconds reaching an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. The 2019 BMW i8 Roadster can cover up to 18 miles in purely electric driving and has a full electric convertible top that opens in under 16 seconds. The 2019 BMW i8 Roadster is expected to cost more than $150,000 when sales commence in the Spring.

Video: 2018 Lexus LS 500 Flagship Sedan Coming In February

2018 Lexus LS 500 flagship sedan has many features that are decribed by Lexus product specialist Tawan Perry. Click here to view video.

Tesla Roadster Will Go 620 Miles Per Charge

The new Tesla Roadster has Elon Musk boasting that the 4-seater all-wheel drive, all-electric supercar is the quickest car in the world, with record-setting acceleration of 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds, a range of 620 miles (LA to San Francisco round trip at legal highway speed without recharging, claims Musk) and a top speed more than 250 mph. A lightweight, removable Glass Roof stores in the trunk for an open-air, convertible driving experience. The base price is $200,000 with a reservation fee of$50,000. The Founders Series, with 1,000 reservations available, has a price of $250,000.

2018 Honda Accord 2.0T Starts At $31,200

The all-new 2018 Honda Accord 2.0T is added to the Accord line-up with a new 252 horsepower 2.0-liter VTEC Turbo® direct-injected DOHC inline-4 engine in Sport, EX-L, EX-L Navi and Touring trims. The Accord 2.0T goes on sale on Nov. 20 with a starting MSRP of $31,200 (including $890 destination and handling) for the Accord 2.0T Sport, available with either a segment-first 10-speed automatic transmission or a short-throw 6-speed manual.

2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid Starts At $34,290

The 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid is powered by a 181-horsepower electric motor and a 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine producing a total system output of 212 horsepower. The 17-kilowatt hour battery pack has a recharge time of 2.5 hours at 240 volts. The Clarity Plug-in starts at $34,290 (including $890 destination charge) and the Touring trim for $37,490 on December 1st at dealerships nationwide. Clarity Plug-in Hybrid owners are eligible for a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500 when they purchase, and for additional state rebates, where available, when they purchase or lease the model.

2018 Kia Stinger Starts At $32,800 December 1st

The all-new 2018 Kia Stinger fastback sport sedan starts at $32,800 for the base Stinger and $38,000 for the Stinger Premium, both powered by a 255 horsepower 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Stinger GT starting at $39,250, GT1 starting at $44,150 and GT2 starting at $50,100 get a 365 horsepower 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 engine. Both engines are matched to a second-generation eight-speed rear-drive automatic transmission. All-wheel drive also is available for $2,200 across all trims. The all-new 2018 Kia Stinger is expected to arrive in Kia dealers December 1st.

2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Coming This Spring

The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is powered by a 755 horsepower LT5 supercharged 6.2L V-8 engine mated to either a seven-speed manual or, for the first time in the ZR1, an eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission that takes the ZR1 to a top speed of over 210 mph. The ZR1 will offer a standard rear Low Wing and an available two-way-adjustable High Wing which includes a front splitter with carbon-fiber end caps that provides an estimated 950 pounds of downforce. All models featuring a Chevrolet-first, downforce-enhancing front underwing. The 2019 Corvette ZR1 goes on sale next Spring.

MINI Electric Concept Will Make North American Debut In L.A.

The MINI Electric Concept encapsulates MINI’s near-term vision of an all-electric car designed for urban mobility and will lead to an all-electric series-production model in 2019. The MINI Electric Concept, showcased at the Frankfurt Auto Show will makes its North American debut later this month in Los Angeles.