December 17, 2017
The annual LA Auto Show just wrapped up and we got a look at some exciting cars! A lot of focus was placed on new car technologies, going green, and some rather interesting designs.
Here are our four favorite cars from the auto show.
Corvette ZR1 Convertible
The Corvette ZR1 is something to behold. The vehicle is expected to reach dealership floors in 2019.
The ZR1 is causing a lot of chatter in the car world for one very specific reason: the car has a horsepower of 755. That is almost unheard of. The ZR1 is able to achieve this thanks to the new LT5 engine. Much of the LT5 engine borrows from the LT4 engine (which has a horsepower of 638), but there are some small changes that are crucial when it comes to giving the engine its power. The engine has an all-new supercharger and a throttle body. The throttle body is one of the biggest GM has ever created. It measures in at 95mm compared to the 87mm throttle body that the LT4 has. The engine also comes with a dual fuel system, two engine controllers that control the fuel system, and a higher strength alloy was used to create the crankshaft. All these elements combine to give the vehicle its 755 horsepower.
Along with 755 horsepower, the convertible reaches a top speed of more than 200 miles per hour and has 715 pound-feet of torque. For people who love fast cars with sleek bodies, the ZR1 is the car for you.
BMW i-8 Roadster
Past iterations of the BMW i-8 have been rather hit or miss, but the Roadster seems to want to improve on that. First off, the Roadster is a convertible. The car looks even more sporty than its coupe counterparts. It is sleek and angular.
This hybrid car has two modes: the fully electric mode and the full gas mode. On its fully electric mode, the vehicle has a range of 18 miles. It can go from 0 to 60 miles per hours in 4.4 seconds, reaching a top speed of 155 miles per hour. When the car is in fuel only mode, the fuel efficiency is 70 miles per gallon. The engine is a 1.5 liter three cylinder that has a horsepower of 228. The torque reaches 236 pound-feet.
The car is expected to drop next year and will be similarly priced to the 2017 model which retails for $143, 400.
Mazda Vision Coupe
Right now, the Vision Coupe is being presented as a concept car. It’s Mazda’s attempt at becoming a more premium brand.
The car is a sleek, four door sedan with a reflective silver color that further emphasizes the sleek edges and contours of the body.
Auto show attendees got a look at the minimalistic interior of the vehicle. There are no annoying knobs, oversized consoles, or displeasing elements. The dashboard contains screens that remain hidden until the driver needs them.
We do not know anything else about the car aside from its appearance, but from what we saw, there is promise for this to be a very special and upscale ride.
Toyota FT-AC
Toyota’s FT-AC is a rugged concept car that promises to be great for all things outdoors. This year, Toyota tried to explore their outdoor capabilities with the FT-4X and the MP-SUV. The FT-AC is a far more rugged vehicle and promises to be an effective urban-to-wild crossover that comes with a lot of multifunctional equipment.
Some of the FT-AC’s off-road equipment include: all-terrain tires that are about 20 inches in diameter, a pretty high ground clearance, as well as front recovery hooks and a safari-style roof capable of holding onto any gear you would need for outdoor adventures. The vehicle also comes with a rear bike carrier that pulls out and retracts into the bumper. For those who crave adventure, this vehicle is a must have.