L.A. Auto Show Preview
At the L.A. show this year, it's what's inside that counts
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Honda's Civic redo, Ford's people-mover version of the Transit Connect and a redesigned Subaru Forester will be among the attention-getters at the Los Angeles Auto Show that begins this week.
And most of that attention will focus on their passenger compartments.
Ford's seven-passenger vehicle features sliding doors and enough interior space to hold some 270 soccer balls. The new Forester offers more space inside than the version it replaces, but is no bigger on the outside.
The Civic's midcycle revamp is ready to roll just 18 months after Honda's much-criticized 2012 redesign hit the market. A new instrument panel and center cluster are meant to address the gripes.
Other Los Angeles debuts include redesigns of the Acura RLX, Kia Forte and Toyota RAV4. Electrics will be there, too. Chevrolet will unveil an electric version of the Spark, Fiat has an electric version of the 500 and BMW will unveil the i Concept, a variant of the i3 electric car.
Here's a brand-by-brand rundown of world debuts expected in L.A.
ACURA
The production version of the RLX sedan will be shown here after a prototype was unveiled at the New York auto show in April. The base V-6 engine, which shares the Acura TL's new Earth Dreams powertrain technology, is combined with a front-wheel-drive transmission and a four-wheel steering system.
The RLX will have an optional 3.5-liter direct-injection V-6 engine with variable valve timing and Honda's Sport Hybrid All-Wheel Drive system. That engine puts out more than 370 hp by way of a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The sedan is about the same length as the RL that it replaces, but with two inches more wheelbase and with the front overhang shaved by the same amount. The track and vehicle width will increase by about two inches.
AUDI
No world debuts are planned, but Audi will announce a new diesel engine strategy for the United States. Diesels will be offered in the A6, A7, A8 and Q5 starting in the first quarter.
BMW
A sporty, coupelike variant of the i3 four-door electric car is expected to debut as the i Concept. The car hasn't been approved for production but shows "the potential for possible variants," a spokesman says.
CHEVROLET
Chevy will unveil an electric version of the Spark minicar that it launched in July. General Motors will tout the Korea-built EV as a pocket rocket -- it zips from 0 to 60 mph in less than 8 seconds. Initially, GM plans to sell the car only in California, starting in the summer, as well as Korea. Sales in other overseas markets likely will follow.
CHRYSLER
Chrysler will show a new S trim version of the Town & Country minivan, which keeps the same powertrain but dresses up the interior.
FIAT
Fiat will introduce the North American version of its new five-door 500L wagon, along with an electric version of the 500 minicar and a 500 Abarth convertible.
FORD
Ford Motor Co. hasn't sold a minivan since the slow-selling Freestar died in 2007. And Ford isn't using the M word for the Transit Connect Wagon, even though it is meant to compete with the likes of the Toyota Sienna, Dodge Grand Caravan and Mazda5. Rather, Ford calls it a people mover.
The Transit Connect Wagon goes on sale in the fourth quarter of 2013 and will be offered with a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a top-of-the-line 1.6-liter EcoBoost four, both combined with a six-speed automatic. Customers get a choice of two wheelbases: five- or seven-seat versions. The second and third rows of seats fold flat and there's even a 2,000-pound towing package.
HONDA
A year and a half after the redesigned 2012 Civic's interior layout and materials were roundly panned, Honda has come back with an updated version that has a new instrument panel and center cluster. Sources say the two-tone instrument panel color combinations are gone, as are the hard plastics and faux "piano-black" surfaces.
The midcycle change has some exterior touch-ups as well.
The CR-Z hybrid hatchback adds a more powerful lithium ion battery. The increase from 10 to 15 kilowatts results in an 8-hp bump to 130 hp and a rise in torque of 12 pounds-feet to 140 pounds-feet. Honda also added an on-demand electric boost via a steering wheel-mounted button that gives five seconds of increased thrust.
HYUNDAI
Designers at Hyundai's design studio in California have been at work on a concept vehicle that will debut at the show. A spokesman says the concept will have a "California" theme.
JAGUAR
A high-performance version of the XF sedan, called the XFR-S, is expected on the Jag stand. Powered by the 5.0-liter, 550-hp V-8 from the XKR-S coupe, the new sedan would compete with the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG. The XFR-S may go on sale by mid-2013.
A coupe version of the new F-Type roadster also is rumored to be headed for the show.
KIA
The redesigned 2014 Kia Forte is lower, longer and wider than the outgoing compact.
The sedan is expected to go on sale early next year, with two-door coupe and five-door hatchback versions due in showrooms later in 2013.
MERCEDES-BENZ
The SLS AMG Black Series debuts as a limited-edition, high-performance version of the gullwing supercar. The car has aerodynamic bodywork giving it a more aggressive appearance than the SLS AMG. It is powered by a 6.3-liter V-8 engine with 622 hp. Sales begin in June.
Mercedes-Benz will also show a futuristic police vehicle for 2025 based on the G-class SUV. The Energ-G-Force study was made for the Los Angeles Design Challenge.
MINI
The Clubvan small delivery wagon will debut, based on the five-door Clubman passenger wagon, but with only two seats and a flat floor. It goes on sale in the first quarter of 2013.
PORSCHE
The redesigned 2014 Cayman coupe is expected to debut, sharing a platform with the 2013 Boxster that went on sale last summer. Porsche has confirmed only that a compact sports car will be at the show.
The Cayman is likely to share the Boxster's revised 2.7-liter 265-hp base engine and the 3.4-liter 315-hp engine on the S model. The third-generation Cayman is expected to be slightly longer than the current version and mimic the Boxster's new styling with shorter front and rear overhangs and a more aggressive stance.
SUBARU
The redesigned 2014 Forester crossover is roomier than its predecessor but exterior dimensions are unchanged. It will be offered with a new six-speed manual transmission and an optional continuously variable transmission. A new 2.0-liter, four-cylinder boxer engine that makes 250 hp will also be available. The Forester goes on sale in January or February.
TOYOTA
A redesigned RAV4 will debut before going on sale in early 2013. The sheet metal will differ from the RAV4 EV that debuted this year because that vehicle was derived from the old platform. The new compact crossover will maintain a larger footprint than many in the highly competitive segment.
Sources say the V-6 version will be deleted. The new RAV4 will probably just come with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder as the focus turns to weight reduction and improved aerodynamics for fuel efficiency.
VOLKSWAGEN
The redesigned 2013 Beetle Convertible will debut with three engines, including a 2.0-liter TDI diesel with 140 hp. VW stayed with the traditional soft-top rather than a retractable hardtop. The convertible goes on sale next month.
Diana T. Kurylko, Ryan Beene, Mark Rechtin, Bradford Wernle, Larry P. Vellequette and Mike Colias contributed to this report
• Acura RLX
• Chevrolet Spark EV
• Chrysler Town & Country S trim version
• Fiat 500L
• Fiat 500e
• Fiat 500 Abarth convertible
• Ford Transit Connect Wagon
• Honda Civic
• Honda CR-Z
• Jaguar XFR-S
• Jaguar F-Type coupe?
• Kia Forte
• Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series
• Mini Clubvan
• Porsche Cayman
• Subaru Forester
• Toyota RAV4
• Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
Concept vehicles
• BMW i Concept
• Hyundai concept
• Mercedes Energ-G-Force
