2014 Los Angeles Auto Show Preview

The 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show is just a week away till we get to see some exciting cars and amazing concepts. With around 15 cars waiting to make their world debut, this year’s edition of LA Auto Show too promises great excitement and loads of fun. Here, we take a sneak preview of the show before the curtains lift.

Audi A9 Concept / R8 Competition

Surely to be one of the major highlights of this year’s LA Auto Show, Audi A9 Concept will show us what design route Audi is going to take for its future cars. The company has already teased the concept through a video that shows Audi’s new Design Chief, Mr. Marc Lichte, talking about his vision that is the A9.

Audi will also be introducing its most powerful production vehicle to-date in the form of Audi R8 Competition. With a 570 hp 5.2-litre V10 engine mated exclusively to a seven-speed S tronic gearbox, the R8 Competition can run from 0-60 mph time in 3.2 seconds and attain a top speed of 199 mph. Designed and performance elements inspired from R8 LMS racecar, the Audi R8 Competition’s production is limited to only 60 units for sale in US.

Mercedes-Benz Maybach S600 / S-Class Pullman

Mercedes-Benz joined the LA Auto Show bandwagon recently by teasing the return of the Maybach brand. This time though the return of the Maybach is not as a separate brand but as a variant of Mercedes-Benz’s flagship S-Class. The Mercedes-Benz Maybach S600 will come with a customizable range of materials and features that customers can order. The car will get an extended wheelbase and longer rear doors, which all reflect to acres of space and comfort for the rear passengers.

Mercedes-Benz could also use the LA show to take the covers off its S-Class Pullman limousine that has been caught testing in Germany. Complete with six doors and six seats (with two of them facing towards the rear), the Pullman limousine could also get armored treatment.

BMW X5 M and X6 M

After the online reveal, BMW will show the new X5 M and X6 M cars in flesh at LA. X5 and X6 were the first cars in BMW’s X lineup to get the M treatment and this time too, the cars get another step forward in dynamic excellence, distinct M design and outstanding efficiency. Both cars are fitted with a new M TwinPower Turbo 4.4-litre V8 making 567 hp and 750 Nm of peak torque, making it the most powerful engine ever developed by BMW for an all-wheel-drive vehicle.

It was in last year’s LA Auto Show that Jaguar brought the F-Type Coupe and for this year, the British are bringing an all-wheel-drive form of it. The Jaguar F-Type R Coupe AWD can reach 0 to 60 mph in just 3.9-seconds with a limited top speed of 186 mph. Apart from power going to all the wheels, there are no other major changes mechanically. Jaguar says that with the F-Type R Coupe AWD, they intend to maintain the engaging rear-drive character that's so important to Jaguar sports cars, yet offer even greater dynamic capability.

Ford Mustang GT350

Ford has also released a series of videos teasing a new car that gets alcantara steering wheel, aluminium pedals, big exhaust and more. Reports are suggesting that this could be the Mustang GT350 and will be, obviously, performance oriented.

Porsche 911 GTS / Cayenne GTS

Porsche will be presenting two new GTS models, the 911 Carrera GTS and the Cayenne GTS at the 2014 LA Auto Show. To close the gap between the 911 Carrera S and the 911 GT3, there will be a total of four variants of the 911 Carrera GTS - coupé or convertible with either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. All variants of the 911 Carrera GTS develop 430 hp while the Sport Chrono package and other sporty optional features are fitted as standard equipment.

The Cayenne GTS is powered by a 3.6-litre V6 twin-turbo engine that produces 440 hp and 603 Nm of torque. Standard equipment include Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) damping system, 20-inch RS Spyder wheels and Sport Design package.

Volvo V60 Cross Country

The showstopper at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show for Volvo Cars will be the V60 Cross Country. The Volvo V60 Cross Country will be powered by a five-cylinder 250 hp petrol engine with All-Wheel Drive coupled to an automatic transmission. Increased ground clearance, skid plates front and rear, side scuff plates and fender extenders, sports seats in black leather with distinctive brown stitching are some of the new features that are available for the V60 Cross Country.

Lexus LF-C2 Concept

Making its global debut at the 2014 LA Auto Show is the Lexus LF-C2 Concept. Apart from it being a convertible, no other information is available on this car.

Mazda CX-3 / CX-5 / Mazda6

Mazda will hold the world premiere of its all-new compact crossover SUV, Mazda CX‑3, at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Apart from the fact that the CX-3 will feature full range of SKYACTIV technology and KODO design, Mazda hasn’t shared any other info.

Mazda will also be premiering two more new vehicles, the CX-5 and Mazda6.