The Los Angeles Auto Show is the first show of the calendar year. Being first isn't always best, however, as the LA Auto Show is often overshadowed by the goings-on at Cobo Hall in Detroit and the shows in Chicago and New York. But this fact could not deter us from our appointed task at hand. We braved the arctic chill that sweeps over Southern California in January (we had to wear pants!) and made the arduous 15-mile trek across metropolitan Los Angeles. (The lengths we go to for you people.)
Hatchbacks and HybridsWe hoped and prayed for it, we bashed it on these pages, and we even came to blows over it (our attorneys prohibit us from discussing this last point). And now, it looks as if the winds of change may be blowing upon this whole SUV thing. The movement started way back in 1959 when Alec Issigonis introduced the Mini (after four decades of production, BMW is releasing the New Mini this year). This was the birth of the hot hatch, followed by VW's Rabbit. In 1975, Honda debuted a curious little car called the Civic CVCC, and the rest-as Jonny likes to shout throughout our office halls-is history.
Ford's ZX3 Focus has been a potential contender to the Civic's throne, and from this hatchback model we have recently seen the birth of the station wagon lite. Mazda has its Proteg5, VW has its Jetta Wagon, and Subaru's WRX Sport Wagon is identical to its heralded sedan sibling, with room for Jonny's crates of vinyl and Jimmy's RC cars (Dan and Ricky have no worldly possessions as they conflict with their Buddhist ways).
Just as we struggle to define this new segment, yet another hybrid plunges into the gene pool. The PT Cruiser was first on the scene, but this crossover is more for the American Graffiti set looking to recapture its lost youth. But Pontiac and Toyota may just have something with their new Vibe/Matrix, which was unveiled at the LA show. Suzuki's new Aerio SX follows the same direction to a much lesser extent.
More TrendsDid we mention how much we hate SUVs? We hate these beasts even more than Philly hates Kobe. SUVs are partially responsible for the stateside departure of the 300ZX, RX-7, and Supra, although overpricing and a lack of demand also contributed to the cause-much the way. Glitter did for Mariah. While Wisegirls may or may not help the crazy little songstress, Mazda's RX-8 and Nissan's 350Z will certainly do wonders for our sports-car landscape.
For the sport sedan market, Mitsubishi finally confirmed that the Lancer Evolution is coming to the States in January of next year. Rumor has it that the car will be priced under 30 grand, while still offering more than 260 hp. Entry-level sport sedan buyers can look forward to the new Sentra SE-R (we want the Spec V with its 175hp 2.5L I-4, six-speed manual, LSD, and tighter suspension). Wilder still is the new Neon SRT-4. With its turbocharged 2.4L four-banger producing 215 hp, the artful Dodge will go from a standstill to 60 mph in less than six ticks. Over at Acura we found the revised versions of the CL and NSX, and you can see Jonny's full review elsewhere in this issue.
What are you waiting for? You know you want one of these rides. Who knows, you might even be able to get one in a color you don't want.