My Five Favorite Upcoming Cars from the Show – 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show

My Five Favorite Upcoming Cars from the Show – 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show:

With all the new cars appearing at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, I felt a need to create a list of personal favorites that are just around the proverbial corner. In short, these are the cars I can’t wait to drive.

BMW i8 Concept

Although we won’t be getting this exact car in theU.S., we will be getting one that is based on this futuristic BMW concept. A hybrid powertrain will provide up to 349 horsepower at maximum load, and the car will return an impressive 80 mpg while cruising. Expect a production version in 2015.

Fiat 500 Abarth

While Scorpios are cool people, we’re not too fond of scorpions, unless they’re emblazoned on the side of one of these Abarths that are soon to be on the market. A turbocharged 4-cylinder makes 160 bhp, and a steering wheel-wrenching 170 lb.-ft. of torque will flow through a stronger 5-speed manual transmission. Its size makes the 500 Abarth a natural city car, but its power should make for an exciting drive on the track.

Ford Fiesta ST Concept

Even though it’s still a concept, this is one hatchback that we’d love to take on one of our local back roads. A turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine makes 180 bhp and 177 lb.-ft. of torque, sent to the wheels via a 6-speed manual. The standard Fiesta is regularly described as an “economical” and “well equipped” B-segment car. The Fiesta ST will add “exciting” and “performance-oriented” to the list of descriptors.

Jaguar C-X16

Even though the name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, Jaguar’s C-X16 uses a hybrid system based on recovered kinetic energy, just like that used in Formula 1 Grand Prix racing. There’s even a push-to-pass button on the steering wheel!

Subaru BRZ/Scion FRS

What more is there to say? Rear drive, two doors, torquey boxer engine, and a price somewhere between $23,000 and $28,000. In theory, both the Subaru and the Scion versions of this affordable new coupe should slot dynamically somewhere between a Honda S2000 and a Mazda MX5.

More:



Full Coverage: 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show >>

Photos: Best of Los Angeles 2011 >>

Related posts:

1. 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show Preview: 17+ Global Debuts
2. Jaguar C-X16 Makes a Splash – 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show
3. Ian Callum on the Jaguar C-X16 – 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show

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