This week marked the official start of the auto show season with the Los Angeles Auto Show (LAAS) taking place in sunny California. Press and industry members were invited first to preview this year’s offerings, which included over two dozen national and international production and concept car debuts from major manufacturers.
The German powerhouse Volkswagen Group represented in full force announcing several new and exciting VW, Audi and Porsche products. We were on hand to bring you a look at what’s coming to a road near you.
Here’s a look at 5 other newsworthy debuts from the 2014 LA Auto Show, including some sweet concepts.
Volkswagen’s Big LA Reveals
Golf R Variant
Michael Horn, president and CEO of VW Group of America, took the stage to talk about the importance of the Golf family, particularly the new batch of vehicles.
“The 2014 Golf is the DNA of the brand,” said Horn, adding it has helped VW regain traction in the market. Others, like Motor Trend editor-in-chief Ed Loh, think so as well — he joined Horn on stage to present the company with the 2015 Car of the Year award.
Integral to that effort is the impending release of the Golf R Variant (check out our 2016 Golf R review here), which was debuted to the world for the first time. For the first time in the Golf R’s history, it will take a wagon form with a 2.0-litre TSI engine making 296 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission is standard, as is the permanent 4MOTION all-wheel drive system.
Golf SportWagen HyMotion
Volkswagen was wagon-crazy at LAAS ’14 with another long four-door unveiling — the hydrogen-powered SportWagen that is “close to production.” The electric motor and transmission of this front-wheel drive car is shared with the e-Golf. The fuel cell technology allows for a driving range of 500 kilometres, and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes approximately 10 seconds.
Audi’s Big LA Reveals
Prologue concept
First thing on media day morning, President of Audi of America Scott Keogh threw the covers off a mysterious silhouette that turned out to be the Audi prologue concept car. Rumoured to one day become the range-topping A9, Keough said it will dictate the future design language of Audi. The concept features a 4.0 L TFSI, 604 hp engine producing 553 lb-ft of torque. On the inside, the front instrument panel is a large organic LED touch display. Car&Driver actually took this Audi concept for a spin – calling it a solid brick of fairy dust.
R8 Competition
The limited edition, competition version of the R8 super car Audi coupe is the most powerful production Audi to roll out of the factory with a 3.2 second 0-100 km/h time and a top speed of 320 km/h. To do that, the engine (5.2 L V10) output has been bumped up to 570 hp and the vehicle lightened further using carbon fibre. Gear-changing duties are handled by a seven-speed S tronic direct-shift gearbox.
With even more power backed by 610-hp, the 2017 Audi R8 Plus Coupe we reviewed is up there with this limited R8 Competition.
Porsche’s Big LA Reveals
911 Carrera GTS
Suitable for its exclusivity, Porsche had a display hall all to itself at LAAS for an unveiling of three new models. The 430 hp Carrera GTS was one-and-a-half of those, coming in both coupe and convertible form and outfitted with gloss black 20-inch centre lock wheels. Available with either rear or all-wheel drive, Porsche says it is meant to bridge the gap between the Carrera S and the 911 GT3.
Cayenne GTS
For the SUV lover that wants a bit more sport with his or her utility, there is the brand new Cayenne GTS. How is that done, you ask? With a 3.6 L bi-turbo developing 440 hp; tuned air suspension giving a slightly more aggressive stance that is 20-millimetre lower than standard; and plenty of body accoutrements like larger front air intakes, wheel arch extensions, darkened LED taillights.
Panamera Turbo Executive Exclusive (EE) Series
I spoke of exclusivity earlier, and that is epitomized by the aforementioned vehicle. Limited to just 100 units worldwide, the EE has 570 hp, all-wheel drive and a longer wheelbase with further focus on interior refinement and passenger comfort. Also, for the first time at Porsche, a two-tone paint scheme — done by hand — will be offered for this series. For more recent reviews and news, here’s our Porsche Panamera page with the latest.
