2007 Los Angeles Auto Show: Day One
If there is one thing you can say about an L.A. event, it is sure to draw a crowd. The 2007 Greater Los Angeles International Auto Show was no exception, as media types from around the world descended upon the Convention Center in droves. Automotive companies didn’t disappoint and here are some of the highlights from Day One.
Ford Motor Company’s CEO Allan Mulally opened the show with an address intended to stress the viability of his company as a current and future automotive leader. Back on track, but not in the black just yet, he detailed the current state of affairs from successfully restructuring and coming to an agreement with the union earlier this week, to the most significant issues including what the public can expect to see from Ford regarding new models.
Ford has worked extremely hard in the past several years to improve product. The current plan will see 70% of the line-up completely new or significantly refreshed by model year 2009. That number is projected to rise to 100% by model year 2010.
Of specific interest, Ford is taking a leading role in developing several types of hybrid vehicles with no clear choice as to which alternative fuel will eventually lead the way going forward. Luxury will also play an important part in the company’s success overall and our first stop of the day was to see what the Big Blue Oval has in store for their once vaulted brand, Lincoln.
Reborn for the 21st Century, Ford wants to be on the shopping list of full-size luxury sedan buyers in North America. It shows in the elegant design of their new flagship, the Lincoln MKS.
A double-wing grille raises expectations as you stand and gaze at the front, while jeweled taillamps add a touch of class to the rear quarter. Designed to seat five in complete comfort, the new MKS is trimmed in leather supplied by Bridge of Weir Leather. This is the same company responsible for providing the hides on the original Model T and grand sailing vessel, the Queen Elizabeth 2.
A Lincoln exclusive engine in the MKS is the 3.7-liter V6 that produces 270 horsepower and 265 lb.-ft. of torque available through a 6-speed automatic transmission. A long list of standard equipment features includes SYNC, a THX-certified audio system, adaptive headlamps and a forward sensing system and rear camera for easy parking.
Priced to get noticed in a crowded market filled with excellent vehicles by Lexus, Infiniti and several of Europe’s finest, the 2009 Lincoln MKS starts at $37,985 and will top out at $48,120 when it reaches dealer showrooms in calendar year 2008.
Honda flipped the switch on what they hope will be the next big thing in energy conservation.
The FCX Clarity is expected to go on sale in limited quantities starting in summer 2008. Honda describes the four-door sedan as “a next- generation, zero-emissions, hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle based on the entirely-new Honda V Flow fuel cell platform, and powered by the highly compact, efficient and powerful Honda V Flow fuel cell stack”. A clean burning vehicle, water is the only emission coming from the tailpipe.
Of similar importance, the FCX Clarity will pave the way for Honda to start testing the 4th generation Experimental Home Energy Station IV also launched at the 2007 L.A. Auto Show.
Designed to ease charging of hydrogen based automobiles, the new station is 70% smaller in size than version III and offers home owners a potential energy cost savings of up to 50%. The days of pumping fuel at the nearest gas station could be a thing of the past should this new technology prove viable over the next few years.
The biggest sigh of relief was saved for the 2009 Nissan GT-R. Having already captured the attention of the assembled media with the introduction of the 2009 Nissan Murano, Mr. Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan and Renault, drove through a cloud of smoke to reveal the mighty sport coupe. An audible cheer resounded from the crowd, as North America has waited what seemed an eternity to drive this car.
Now that the GT-R is finally here, expect Nissan to offer serious competition to the likes of Corvette and Porsche, among other nameplates synonymous for building the vehicles dreams are made of. Priced under $70,000 to start, competition should be fierce.
Rumors of an impending Tiburon replacement being unveiled in Los Angeles were quickly put to rest with the introduction of the new Genesis Coupe Concept by Hyundai. Based on the 4-door Genesis Concept first showcased at the 2007 New York Auto Show, the rear- wheel drive Coupe will offer both a turbocharged 4-cylinder and a 300+ horsepower, 3.8-litre V6 engine when it reaches the market in the spring of 2009.
Not to worry Tiburon fans, your shark replacement is also in the works as a front-wheel-drive, affordable coupe coming soon to an auto show in 2008.
Additional vehicles of note on Day One included the North American introduction of the BMW 1 Series and M3 Sedan. The Mini Clubman made its debut, as did the all-new 2008 Toyota Sequoia, Dodge Journey and hybrid versions of the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen. Audi thrilled with the Cross Cabriolet quattro, in essence a convertible SUV and Jaguar launched the gorgeous looking XF sedan for the America’s.
Day Two promises to be equally as exciting, so stay tuned for more from the 2007 Greater Los Angeles International Auto Show.
