2017 LA Auto Show Highlights

While many consider the Frankfurt Motor Show to be the king of all auto shows, American drivers are more inclined to follow shows on their own turf - like NAIAS or the ever-expanding LA Auto Show. With more than 60 debuts, about 5,000 accredited journalists, photographers, and influencers and more than 15,000 automotive professionals, the 2017 LA Auto Show proved to be a December centerpiece of automotive glory.

The 110th edition of the show at the Los Angeles Convention Center was one of the biggest of all time. After all, visitors (hundreds of thousands of them) had ten days to explore about 1,000 cars.

Highlights - SUVs and crossovers!

2017 LA Auto Show gathered a massive number of SUVs. Apart from 19 new production ones, there were 7 concept SUVs. All of them definitely destined to hatch a train for the production line. 

New Corvette ZR1 and Aston Martin Vantage run the sports car/supercar show

While the Frankfurt Motor Show greeted us with an aggressive hypercar- the Mercedes-AMG Project One, the centerpiece of the 2017 LA Auto Show was the long-awaited Corvette ZR1. The fastest, most powerful, and the most brutal Corvette of all time. 

If you are, on the other hand, more into classy, and refined car, you will enjoy the Aston Martin Vantage. Sourcing electronics and infotainment from Mercedes with an AMG V8 engine and 500+hp, the Aston Martin Vantage is peak James Bond.

SUVs Dominated the LA Auto Show

LA highway and cityscapes will most certainly be transformed into an SUV habitat. The 2017 LA Auto Show showed us everything, from cheap and small - like the Hyundai Kona and the Nissan Kicks, too expensive and dramatic such as the GMC Yukon Denali Black Edition and the Infiniti QX80.

It seems that all of them focused on improving convenience (and styling). New tech can ease up a mandatory connection with the internet, wireless chargers for new smartphones are available in more cars than ever and the storage places do not try to offer enough space for gloves, bottles, and tissues. Now you can charge tablets, smartphones, and probably a camera because all the car sport are designated with USB charging ports (not only wireless).

So, what did SUVs do for the car culture then?

First, we are not talking anymore about the engines (except in terms of MPGs or 0-60 figures) or their off-road prowess, but about internet connectivity and safety.

Interestingly enough, many do try to provide excitement. Like the new 2018 Jeep Wrangler, despite getting a two-liter four-cylinder engine and plusher interior along with some proper convenience features, it is probably the best Wrangler ever.

On the electric side of the things, we have a Bollinger B1 all-electric SUV. Sporting classic off-roader looks with a boxy body and round lights, the B1 is unlike any other conventional SUV of today. Come to think of it, we could probably call it the SUT (sport utility truck). The Bollinger B1 promises a range between 120 and 200 miles (using 60kWh or 100kWh batteries) with a total power of 360hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. It will probably be a lot cheaper compared with the madly expensive Tesla Model X. 

Sports Car Frenzy

In LA, one of the ultimate markets for sports cars, one could see a number of these sexy machines on the streets:

What will the future bring?

Concept cars will answer the question. Or they should at least. New massive BMW SUV X7 will join the full-size SUV segment with its enormous kidney grille. BMW revealed something called the iVision Dynamics.

As hinted at the Frankfurt Motor Show by some executives, Mini brought an electric Concept showcasing possible all-electric onslaught in the US. They could stop selling cars with ICE all together on our soil.

SUVs. Again. Only this time they are not in production and never will be in this shape.