LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW 2016

STAR WARS Pyrotechnics at the Nissan press conference!

When the LA Auto Show tried to compete head-to-head for show dates with Detroit, Los Angeles kept coming up a little short. Now, with its emphasis on ‘green’ automobiles and an earlier show date, the LA Auto Show has truly come of age.

Huge banners between West and South Halls for The Grand Tour.

Press Days began with an intense immersion into what they call AutoMobility LA, featuring fascinating technology sessions. Of particular interest was one that was presented by McLaren. In it they spoke about their Formula 1 cars and how they utilize a common ECU for its various functions, including extensive implementation of drive by wire.

In contrast, street cars tend to use separate ECUs for their many distinct functions. These take up a lot of space and add weight. McLaren is working to their number of ECUs.

On-stage pyrotechnics (yes, that is real fire!) during the Press conference in the LA Convention Center

Perhaps the most mind-blowing press conference of any LA Auto Show in recent memory was over at the Nissan display. In anticipation of the opening of “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” in theaters, Nissan and Lucasfilm dramatically revealed a 2017 Nissan Rogue compact SUV. A battle scene raged, punctuated with towering columns of flames erupting from the stage to “demonstrate the vehicle’s Intelligent Safety Shield technologies” and its ability to “take on any battle” (video at nissannews.com/en-US/nissan/usa/videos/nissan-rogue-one-star-wars-limited-edition-2017-la-auto-show). The thought that Nissan got the fire marshal to sign off on the pyrotechnics defies belief, but whatever they had to do, the positive publicity was surely well worth the effort and expense. From our vantage point at front row center photographing the spectacle, the heat was intense. The overall effect, with video projected on the backdrop, was absolutely incredible. A version of this without the pyrotechnics will be presented during the run of the show. A massive replica TIE fighter is on the show floor.

Huge STAR WARS TIE Fighter in the Nissan exhibit.

Then Storm Troopers escorted in the special STAR WARS Edition Nissan Rogue. Available only in black and white, it includes the first-ever application on a production vehicle of STAR WARS badging and logos inside and out, with an illuminated STAR WARS logo on the front doorsill kickplates. Collectors will go nuts for the gloss black, numbered, limited edition, full-size replica Death Trooper helmet. The only way to get one of those will be with the purchase of one of the vehicles. You can sign up now at www.nissanusa.com/Rogue.

Divergent 3-D printed car. Take a close look at the suspension, which only has the amount of metal needed and no more.

An insane 60s custom from the Galpin collection.

At this, their first auto show, Tesla brought their mobile design center – inside an Airstream trailer, which they tow around the country with a Tesla Model X.

Prototype Hyundai Ionic autonomous car, which we might test drive/ride in at the Consumer Electronics Show in January.

In a game changing move targeting millennials, Hyundai announced “Ionic Unlimited:” an all-inclusive, fixed monthly installment plan for their upcoming, all-new Ionic five-passenger, four-door sedan (electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid). The amount of the monthly payment will be based on the term (24 or 36 months) and trim level that a customer prefers, with nothing up front. It will include traditional expenses such as doc fees and registration, as well as free scheduled maintenance – parts and labor, free wear items for the entire term, unlimited miles with no penalties for overages, and even free charging through a monthly reimbursement based on the miles you drive.

2017 Jeep Compass makes a splashy entrance at the Press conference.

Jeep introduced the all-new, 2017 Compass. A true Jeep in every sense of the word, the Trailhawk model of the Compass is available with “Jeep Active Drive Low” affording a 20:1 crawl ratio and low range for 4×4 “Trail Rated” capability, hill-descent control, 9-speed automatic transmission, 2.4-liter Tigershark engine with Multiair2 and a Jeep Selec-terrain traction-control system. The Jeep Compass offers a variety of high tech safety features including state-of-the-art Adaptive Cruise Control-Plus that will bring the vehicle to a stop without driver intervention, Blind-Spot Monitoring, Forward Collision Warning-Plus, LaneSense Departure Warning, ParkSense Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist and Rear Cross Path detection. Luxurious interior features include up to an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, 7-inch reconfigurable full color driver information display and premium, high quality materials.

Another blast from the past — a quad-engined dragster!

MINI introduced their most technologically advanced model ever: the 221 horsepower (gas and electric combined), all-wheel-drive MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid.

The latest high performance Alfa Romeo is (drum roll please) the no compromises, top-of-the-line, 505-hp, 2018 Stelvio Quadrifoglio SUV. Built in Italy, it has such high tech features as a torque vectoring differential, all-wheel-drive, 177 mph top speed and paddle shifted, 100 millisecond gearshifts