{"id":33726,"date":"2024-11-25T14:21:03","date_gmt":"2024-11-25T18:21:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=33726"},"modified":"2024-11-25T14:24:03","modified_gmt":"2024-11-25T18:24:03","slug":"payne-heres-my-top-10-from-the-la-auto-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2024\/11\/payne-heres-my-top-10-from-the-la-auto-show","title":{"rendered":"Payne: Here’s my Top 10 from the LA Auto Show"},"content":{"rendered":"

Los Angeles \u2014<\/em>\u00a0Auto shows are past their peak, but they are still great shopping malls. Better than your average mall, in fact: You can test the products outside.<\/p>\n

Like Detroit and New York, the 2024 LA Auto Show has lost a number of automaker booths, including those from Audi, BMW, Mini, Jaguar Land Rover, Volvo, Polestar, Infiniti, Mercedes, Mazda and Porsche (though local dealers did a nice job filling in for the latter). But the anchor automakers are still there \u2014 Chevy, Jeep, Ram, Ford, Toyota, Honda, VW, Hyundai, et al \u2014 and, like a mall, there were plenty of cool boutique stores in between.<\/p>\n

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2024 Los Angeles Auto Show: entrance<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n

Best of all, there\u2019s lots of action outside thanks to LA\u2019s balmy weather (oof, Detroit is going to be chilly in January). You can test drive everything from a Subaru to a Cybertruck \u2014 and even take a self-driving Jaguar to the show courtesy of Waymo.<\/p>\n

Here are my Top 10 vehicles from the show:<\/p>\n

Nilu<\/h2>\n

Every auto show needs hypercars and LA\u2019s standout is the limited-edition Nilu. The V12-powered rocket is an analog reaction to today\u2019s hybrid, forced-induction, 1,000-horspower cyborgs. This is an old-school, mid-engine beauty powered by a normally-aspirated engine and good ol\u2019 stick shift between the seats.<\/p>\n

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2024 Los Angeles Auto Show: Nilu and creator Sasha Selipanov<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Built around a carbon-fiber tub, the 2,645-pound Nilu features gorgeous styling, as you\u2019d expect, from designer Sasha Selipanov, whose resume includes the Bugatti Chiron, Koenigsegg CC850 and Lamborghini Huraca\u0301n. His company, Nilu27, is adorably named by combining the names of his daughters \u2014 Nika and Lucia \u2014 and the number of his favorite race driver, Gille Villeneuve.<\/p>\n

Behind the cockpit is an adorable, exposed V-12 engine developed by New Zealand\u2019s Hartley Engines \u2014 complete with snake exhaust reminiscent of 1960s Formula One cars. The specs? 1,070-horsepower at a screaming, 11,000 RPM, 2-second 0-60 mph time and 248-mph top speed. Fifty-four will be built for a cool $2.8 million each.<\/p>\n

Chevy Corvette ZR1<\/h2>\n

Or you can put down a deposit on a $200,000 ZR1 making 1,064 horsepower. The King of \u2018Vettes is on display for its first major auto show and it\u2019s dressed in yellow just like the King of Beasts.<\/p>\n

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The Chevy Corvette ZR1 made its auto show debut in LA with eye-catching yellow paint and 1,064 horsepower. Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/p>\n

This lion sports huge front and side air scoops, and a menacing black tail \u2014 er, wing \u2014 out back. Unlike the track-focused Nilu, the engine isn\u2019t exposed \u2014 since you can use it as a daily driver \u2014 but underneath is a high-revving, twin-turbo V-8.<\/p>\n

Ford Maverick Lobo<\/h2>\n

Ford\u2019s affordable entry-level pickup just keeps on giving. This is an all-wheel-drive pickup with the soul of a Focus RS hot hatch. Lobo steals the RS\u2019s twin-clutch out back for maximum traction (and drifting), throws on wicked 19-inch black aero wheels, and slams the chassis to the ground.<\/p>\n

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2024 Los Angeles Auto Show: Ford Maverick Lobo<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Equipped with Mav\u2019s spunky, 238-horse, 2.0-liter engine option, the pickup aims to eat Miatas at autocrosses.<\/p>\n

Jeep Wagoneer S<\/h2>\n

Don\u2019t be fooled by the Wagoneer name. This is not a variation on the giant truck-based mega-ute, but Jeep\u2019s first all-electric compact SUV aimed at the Tesla Model Y.<\/p>\n

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2024 Los Angeles Auto Show: Jeep Wagoneer S EV<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Bearing signature Jeep elements like a seven-slot fascia and Uconnect infotainment system, the S stands for speedy with a 0-60 mph dash in 3.4 seconds. It\u2019ll also clean out your wallet in a hurry starting at $72k.<\/p>\n

Hyundai Ioniq 9<\/h2>\n

Ioniq is redefining Hyundai with an upscale EV sub-brand. The 9 joins the 5 hatchback and 6 sedan in the Ioniq lineup and bears familiar cubed lighting touches. Inside, it\u2019s a different animal with three roomy rows for the family, a moving center console and panoramic roof.<\/p>\n

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2024 Los Angeles Auto Show: Hyundai Ioniq 9<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

With around 300 miles of range, the 9 will require a long charging stop on a road trip, so the kids can stretch their legs.<\/p>\n

Kia EV9 GT<\/h2>\n

Not to be outdone, Hyundai\u2019s sister brand Kia stays one step ahead with a performance version of its own three-row EV.<\/p>\n

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2024 Los Angeles Auto Show: Kia EV9 GT EV<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The EV9 GT sports 510 horsepower and a 4.9-second 0-60 sprint so you can get to the next charging stop more quickly.<\/p>\n

Volkswagen Tiguan<\/h2>\n

The LA Show is all abuzz over the ID.Buzz, a high-tech, electric resurrection of the iconic VW Microbus. But at a lofty $60k, the Buzz will only be affordable to a few.<\/p>\n

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The ID.Buzz is VW’s show-stopper in LA but the redesigned Tiguan, left, combines sharp styling, practicality and a reasonable price. Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

At half that price is an all-new model of the brand\u2019s meat-and-potatoes Tiguan SUV. Now based on the same platform as the Golf GTI hot hatch, Tiggy should be more fun to drive \u2014 including a horsepower boost to 201.<\/p>\n

With sleek styling, this is the most attractive VW SUV in a long time.<\/p>\n