The 2014 LA Auto Show kicked off on 19th November at the Los Angeles Convention Centre. It’s a show that has continued to grow over the last few years thanks to a series of high profile car launches. And that trend of growth looks set to continue for the show as numerous leading car manufacturers have given prominence to the event by choosing to debut their future models at this years show. We have put together a list of five of the most interesting cars set to be unveiled this week.
Audi R8 Competition
First up is the Audi R8 Competition, with the original R8 set for a facelift in the near future, Audi have decided to make one last special edition.
A limited run of only 60 R8 Competition cars will be made, all of which will be sold in the US. The race inspired road car has been given an additional 20bhp over the standard R8, as well as carbon ceramic brakes and a seven-speed S tronic gearbox. It’s capable of a 0-60mph time in just 3.2s and will reach a top speed of 199mph.
President of Audi America said that the R8 Competition is the closest road car to the R8 LMS ultra race car.
Cadillac ATS-V Coupe
There have been no official pictures released of Cadillac’s new ATS-V, though undisguised versions of the Coupe have been spotted and have surfaced online. Engine specifications have yet to be released on this BMW M3/M4 rival though its expected to be powered by an uprated version of the twin-turbocharged 3.6-litres V-6 found in the current CTS Vsport and XTS Vsport models. The power output is expected to around 425bhp, which would match the output of BMW’s new M3 and M4 models. However, there are rumours suggesting that a more potent ‘Plus’ version could be in the pipeline.
Fisker Rocket
After what can only be described as a disastrous run of luck with his previous hybrid concept car designed under the now defunct Karma, designer Henrik Fisker is back with a new car set to be unveiled at LA.
Fisker has released a sketch of his latest design called the ‘Fisker Rocket’, which looks to have been given the muscle car treatment. The only teaser drawing that was released appears to show a low-slung fastback car styled car, though no other details have been disclosed. Rumours suggest however, that the new car will be based on the new Ford Mustang and have a carbon fibre body.
Jaguar F-Type AWD
Just last week Jaguar confirmed that an AWD version of their new F-type would be put into production after announcing their partnership with the Bloodhound SSC land speed record team. The car will reach 60mph in 3.9 just seconds in top-end R coupé form and recently took part in a high-speed communications test with the Bloodhound team in South Africa.
Jaguar say that “the addition of all-wheel-drive is one of a number of performance enhancements to the award-winning Jaguar F-TYPE range which will grow from six to 14 derivatives in 2015 – the full range will debut at the LA Auto Show on 19 November.”
Lexus LF-C2
It was never clear if the LF-C2 would ever be put into production after it was initially unveiled as a concept car at the Detroit Motor Show in 2012. However Lexus have now confirmed that the car will be put in to production. Vice President of Lexus Europe, Alain Uyttenhoven said it would be a far more accessible model than the short-production run LFA and will rival the likes of the Mercedes S-Class Coupe and Maserati Gran Turismo.
The body is said to be made entirely of carbon fibre and although details of its power plant have yet to be confirmed, the fact the concept car was a hybrid powered car that produced 500bhp, is a big indicator as to what will lay at the heart of the production model.