Looking back through our full roundup of LA Auto Show coverage, we have to say, this show was seriously solid. And that's especially important this time around, with hot new metal from the Tokyo Motor Show vying for everyone's attention at the exact same time. But no matter, we covered the hell out of the LA show, and as usual, the entire editorial team has picked out the cars that deserve some extra attention.
The final Top Five list shouldn't shock you, really. But you'll likely be surprised by what didn't make the cut. As usual, this list doesn't necessarily represent the most important or groundbreaking debuts of the LA Auto Show, rather it's a showcase of what piqued the collective Autoblog editorial team's interest. Check it all out, below, and don't forget to tell us how wrong we are, in comments.
#5: Subaru Legacy Concept
I've said it before and I'll say it again – Subaru has a very storied history of teasing us with gorgeous concepts, only to then launch a production car that's wholly underwhelming. Take the new WRX, for example, which looked really damn good when we saw it in concept form earlier this year, and then turned into... this. (Also note the WRX's absence from our Top Five list.)
The Legacy concept uses clean, swooping lines that create a coupe-like silhouette on this four-door sedan. And while it's purely a concept right now, we fully expect elements of this showcar to appear on the next-generation Legacy. We just hope Subaru doesn't ruin this beauty, too.
#4: 2015 Porsche Macan
Now, before you go off on some tirade about how the Porsche Macan, like the Cayenne before it, is diluting the brand and blah blah blah, just hear us out. Yes, it may use architecture borrowed from other Volkswagen Group products, and yes, it may take the form of a crossover, but this thing is first and foremost a Porsche.
Want proof? Check out the two different twin-turbo engines found under the hood, offering 300 horsepower in the Macan S and 400 hp in the Macan Turbo (the latter of which is good for a 4.6-second 0-60 run, by the way). Also, note the dual-clutch transmission; beefy brakes, wheels, and tires; and the all-wheel-drive system. Step inside, and you'll be treated to the finest luxury appointments, with the usual Porsche-spec, seemingly endless customization options. (We've already configured one well past the $100,000 mark.) We're stoked to drive it.
#3: Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo Concept
I was talking to one of the Mercedes-Benz PR reps about the AMG Vision Gran Turismo Concept, and he said it sort of reminded him of the cars we enthusiasts would sketch out in notebooks while bored in math class. And I couldn't agree more. From its long hood, oversized wheels, raked roofline and aerodynamically sculpted rear end, the Vision GT looks downright awesome from every single angle.
It may be a 1:1-scale model with no powertrain, designed as a virtual supercar for Sony's Gran Turismo 6 (where it actually uses a 577-horsepower V8), but that doesn't make it any less stunning, or important. It truly is fantasy brought to reality – a concept car in its purest form.
#2: 2015 Chevrolet Colorado
Next year, the midsize pickup truck segment will be getting some much-needed rejuvenation when Chevrolet launches the brand new Colorado here in the US (followed, of course, by its twin-sister GMC Canyon). Chevy is touting this vehicle as the perfect little truck for folks with active lifestyles, whether they be focused on work or play, and we're really quite fond of the little truck.
It's a rugged, handsome thing, and with diesel power coming for the 2016 model year, it strikes us as great opportunity to win over pickup buyers that simply don't want a fullsize truck. And instead of just letting us get up close and personal with the production-spec Colorado, GM even brought along a totally Baywatch-esque lifeguard truck (in the second gallery, below). We're glad to have you back, Colorado.
#1: 2015 Jaguar F-Type Coupe
It's amazing how something so simple can cause such a stir. And that's exactly what happened when Jaguar rolled out its F-Type Coupe at the LA Auto Show. Think about it: this car is really just the same F-Type we fell in love with earlier this year with a fixed roof. That's it. But take one look at the car, and you'll see what we see – a simply stunning, proper two-seat sports car.
But good looks aren't the only thing the F-Type Coupe has going for it. We adore the roadster – especially that potent V8 S model – and the coupe's new R trim turns the wick up even higher. The 5.0-liter supercharged V8 has been massaged to produce 550 horsepower, meaning the F-Type R Coupe can run to 60 miles per hour in just four seconds flat, drowning everything around it in a sea of sexiness and pure, knee-weakening V8 sound. You can't even imagine how excited we are to drive it.
So... how'd we arrive at this list? Autoblog editors picked their favorites of the show, with each editor having a total of 25 points to distribute amongst their picks. All 25 points had to be used, and no more than 10 points could be awarded to any one car. Basically, instead of just lining them up one-through-five, this allows us to put more weight on the cars that we think were really special. And in case you were wondering, here's how the points broke down for each of the top picks.
Honorable Mentions
Since this is a point-based list, there are always a good number of cars that don't quite make the Top Five cut. Here's a look at the other things we liked from Los Angeles.
The final Top Five list shouldn't shock you, really. But you'll likely be surprised by what didn't make the cut. As usual, this list doesn't necessarily represent the most important or groundbreaking debuts of the LA Auto Show, rather it's a showcase of what piqued the collective Autoblog editorial team's interest. Check it all out, below, and don't forget to tell us how wrong we are, in comments.
#5: Subaru Legacy Concept
I've said it before and I'll say it again – Subaru has a very storied history of teasing us with gorgeous concepts, only to then launch a production car that's wholly underwhelming. Take the new WRX, for example, which looked really damn good when we saw it in concept form earlier this year, and then turned into... this. (Also note the WRX's absence from our Top Five list.)
The Legacy concept uses clean, swooping lines that create a coupe-like silhouette on this four-door sedan. And while it's purely a concept right now, we fully expect elements of this showcar to appear on the next-generation Legacy. We just hope Subaru doesn't ruin this beauty, too.
#4: 2015 Porsche Macan
Now, before you go off on some tirade about how the Porsche Macan, like the Cayenne before it, is diluting the brand and blah blah blah, just hear us out. Yes, it may use architecture borrowed from other Volkswagen Group products, and yes, it may take the form of a crossover, but this thing is first and foremost a Porsche.
Want proof? Check out the two different twin-turbo engines found under the hood, offering 300 horsepower in the Macan S and 400 hp in the Macan Turbo (the latter of which is good for a 4.6-second 0-60 run, by the way). Also, note the dual-clutch transmission; beefy brakes, wheels, and tires; and the all-wheel-drive system. Step inside, and you'll be treated to the finest luxury appointments, with the usual Porsche-spec, seemingly endless customization options. (We've already configured one well past the $100,000 mark.) We're stoked to drive it.
#3: Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo Concept
I was talking to one of the Mercedes-Benz PR reps about the AMG Vision Gran Turismo Concept, and he said it sort of reminded him of the cars we enthusiasts would sketch out in notebooks while bored in math class. And I couldn't agree more. From its long hood, oversized wheels, raked roofline and aerodynamically sculpted rear end, the Vision GT looks downright awesome from every single angle.
It may be a 1:1-scale model with no powertrain, designed as a virtual supercar for Sony's Gran Turismo 6 (where it actually uses a 577-horsepower V8), but that doesn't make it any less stunning, or important. It truly is fantasy brought to reality – a concept car in its purest form.
#2: 2015 Chevrolet Colorado
Next year, the midsize pickup truck segment will be getting some much-needed rejuvenation when Chevrolet launches the brand new Colorado here in the US (followed, of course, by its twin-sister GMC Canyon). Chevy is touting this vehicle as the perfect little truck for folks with active lifestyles, whether they be focused on work or play, and we're really quite fond of the little truck.
It's a rugged, handsome thing, and with diesel power coming for the 2016 model year, it strikes us as great opportunity to win over pickup buyers that simply don't want a fullsize truck. And instead of just letting us get up close and personal with the production-spec Colorado, GM even brought along a totally Baywatch-esque lifeguard truck (in the second gallery, below). We're glad to have you back, Colorado.
#1: 2015 Jaguar F-Type Coupe
It's amazing how something so simple can cause such a stir. And that's exactly what happened when Jaguar rolled out its F-Type Coupe at the LA Auto Show. Think about it: this car is really just the same F-Type we fell in love with earlier this year with a fixed roof. That's it. But take one look at the car, and you'll see what we see – a simply stunning, proper two-seat sports car.
But good looks aren't the only thing the F-Type Coupe has going for it. We adore the roadster – especially that potent V8 S model – and the coupe's new R trim turns the wick up even higher. The 5.0-liter supercharged V8 has been massaged to produce 550 horsepower, meaning the F-Type R Coupe can run to 60 miles per hour in just four seconds flat, drowning everything around it in a sea of sexiness and pure, knee-weakening V8 sound. You can't even imagine how excited we are to drive it.
So... how'd we arrive at this list? Autoblog editors picked their favorites of the show, with each editor having a total of 25 points to distribute amongst their picks. All 25 points had to be used, and no more than 10 points could be awarded to any one car. Basically, instead of just lining them up one-through-five, this allows us to put more weight on the cars that we think were really special. And in case you were wondering, here's how the points broke down for each of the top picks.
- Jaguar F-Type Coupe – 98 points
- Chevy Colorado – 61 points
- Mercedes AMG Vision GT – 42 points
- Porsche Macan – 33 points
- Subaru Legacy Concept – 25 points
Honorable Mentions
Since this is a point-based list, there are always a good number of cars that don't quite make the Top Five cut. Here's a look at the other things we liked from Los Angeles.
- 2015 Subaru WRX – 24 points
- Honda FCEV Concept – 18 points
- 2015 Lincoln MKC – 11 points
- 2015 Hyundai Tuscon Fuel Cell – 7 points
- 2014 Mini Cooper – 6 points
- Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG Concept – 5 points
- Youabian Puma – 5 points
- Ford Edge Concept – 3 points
- 2014 Hyundai Elantra – 3 points
- 2014 Fiat 500C GQ Edition – 3 points
- 2014 Jeep Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition – 2 points
- 2014 Fiat 500 1957 Edition – 2 points
- 2014 Lexus CT 200h – 1 point
- 2015 GMC Yukon – 1 point
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