Automotive

Top 10 concept cars and special editions of the 2013 LA Auto Show

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Mercedes shows the AMG Vision Gran Turismo at the 2013 LA Auto Show
Volkswagen says the doors open wide for "optimal entry and egress"
The VIA Motors Xtrux debuted at NAIAS 2013 before appearing in LA
The Design Vision GTI designers experimented with the C-pillar as an "autonomous design element" and also beefed up the side sill
SRT will start building Anodized Carbon Special Editions in January
VW worked to give the CrossBlue "3D" front and rear fascias
Volkswagen shows the CrossBlue Coupe concept in LA
VW worked to give the CrossBlue "3D" front and rear fascias
It's not actually a "coupe," but the CrossBlue does have sporty dimensions
The CrossBlue Coupe stands on 22-inch polished aluminum alloy wheels
The CrossBlue Coupe interior combines a 10.1-inch infotainment display with a 12.3-inch instrument screen
The CrossBlue Coupe's interior features high-end materials like Nappa leather, polished chrome, aluminum, wood and Alcantara
Volkswagen Design Vision GTI
The front-end is framed by bladed vents
Volkswagen Design Vision GTI
Inside, the Viper Anodized Carbon package features orange stitching and Alcantara accents, among other upgrades
SRT Viper GTS Anodized Carbon Special Edition
SRT will build just 50 models of the new special edition Viper
The new Viper represents Chrysler's debut of a new metallic paint
In addition to showcasing new styling, the Subaru Legacy Concept celebrates the Legacy's 25th birthday
"Large wheels and bold fender flares express the stability and performance of S-AWD," Subaru explains
A horizontal grille and "hawk-eye" headlights up front
Subaru debuts the Legacy Concept in LA
The "hawk-eye" taillights, horizontal cut-out and vertical tailpipes are a mirror of front styling
The Subaru Legacy Concept shows some styling cues that should make it to production
The Legacy's profile is defined by a fast roofline and strong character line
Subaru debuts the Legacy Concept at the 2013 LA Auto Show
The Vision Gran Turismo was designed for the the Gran Turismo 6 video game
Look closely and you'll notice the rear is dominated by eight narrow exhaust pipes
A set of highly conceptual wheels
The Vision Gran Turismo's front LEDs can change patterns
Mercedes shows the AMG Vision Gran Turismo at the 2013 LA Auto Show
Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo
The Ford Edge Concept is equipped with prototype semi-autonomous technologies
Ford Edge Concept
The Ford Edge Concept shows some new styling
The Ford Edge Concept debuts at the LA Auto Show
Toyota's Driver Awareness Research Vehicle
Toyota debuts the DAR-V in LA
Built with help from Microsoft, the DAR-V uses Kinect motion sensors (Photo: Toyota)
The DAR-V is designed to research new ways of cutting down on driver distraction (Photo: Toyota)
The screen on the side window provides important driver information to the driver (Photo: Toyota)
The 2013/14 Shelby Raptor debuted earlier in the year
With the help of a supercharger, the uprated Raptor puts out 575 hp
The Shelby Raptor comes in choice of three graphics packages and several color options
Shelby Raptor at the 2013 LA Auto Show
VIA Motors Xtrux concept at the 2013 LA Auto Show
The Xtrux is a concept 800-hp, range-extending pickup
The 1963 Corvette Asteroid was on display to advertise an upcoming car auction
The 1963 Corvette Asteroid was on display to advertise an upcoming car auction
The 1963 Corvette "Asteroid"
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Whereas the concepts of the Frankfurt Motor Show were largely about flash styling and new packaging, the concepts and cars of this month's Los Angeles Auto Show were more focused on forward-thinking technology and green design. Fuel cells, hybrid powertrains and self-driving systems were themes across several models. Of course, there was still plenty of flash and hot styling, too.

Toyota Driver Awareness Research Vehicle

Toyota's Driver Awareness Research Vehicle

Thanks largely to the Connected Car Expo that preceded the start of the auto show itself, current and future car tech was a focal point in LA. Toyota's Driver Awareness Research Vehicle (DAR-V) was one of the most visible examples of this.

The screen on the side window provides important driver information to the driver (Photo: Toyota)

Developed with the help of Microsoft Research, the DAR-V attempts to limit the distractions that drivers face during the commute by providing key information before the driver even gets behind the wheel. With a combination of Kinect-powered gesture control, voice command and key fob activation, a display built into the side window delivers information about traffic, weather, daily schedule and appointments, and navigation. By getting this information ahead of time, the driver will presumably be less distracted while actually driving.

Ford Edge Concept

The Ford Edge Concept debuts at the LA Auto Show

Another hot LA topic under the greater car-technology banner was automated vehicles. Although self-driving cars remain some years off, experts say that cars will start to take over more and more driving responsibilities over the next few years. In fact, the process is already underway.

The Ford Edge Concept was designed in part to showcase Ford's latest semi-autonomous capabilities. The prototype "fully assisted parking aid" and its ultrasonic sensors, which can be activated from inside the vehicle or by remote control, allow the Edge Concept to navigate into and out of a parking spot. The Edge Concept also has an obstacle-avoidance system that can sense still and slow-moving objects ahead, send warnings to the driver, and steer or brake if the driver fails to react in time.

Volkswagen CrossBlue Coupe

Volkswagen shows the CrossBlue Coupe concept in LA

The CrossBlue Coupe debuted at NAIAS 2013 and also appeared at the 2013 Shanghai auto show. Its most recent stop was in LA, where its specs received a modest update.

Volkswagen's latest information says that the dual motor + turbo V6-based plug-in hybrid driveline puts out 415 hp, returns up to 70 mpg-e, and travels up to 570 miles (917 km) with a full tank of gas and full battery. That economical performance is underpinned by 13 miles (21 km) of all-electric driving and complemented by a spirited 5.8-second 0-60 mph (96.5 km/h) time and 147-mph (237 km/h) top speed. There is some speculation that LA was a stop on the way toward CrossBlue production, and VW's description of it as a "glimpse at the future" adds a little support to that view.

Mercedes AMG Vision Gran Turismo

Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo

There was one car in LA that called itself a Puma but looked like the absolute opposite of a lithe pussy cat stretching every muscle. The Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo truly looks the part. It's amazing what designers can come up with when they're not constrained by having to actually build and sell their creation. We won't rehash the story of the 585-hp Gran Turismo concept here, but you can see it from a number of angles in the gallery.

VIA Motors XTRUX

VIA Motors Xtrux concept at the 2013 LA Auto Show

The big announcements from VIA Motors in LA were its solar panel pickup tonneau cover and the start of production on its range-extending truck and van line. But the biggest sight at its booth was the XTrux concept.

Revealed early this year at NAIAS, the 4WD truck packs double the punch of VIA's production trucks, using two 402-hp electric motors for more than 800 hp worth of rippling muscle. Its V8 engine is tasked with range-extending duties, charging the battery pack after about 40 all-electric miles (64 km) or so. VIA estimates that this hybrid combination offers capabilities for 100-mpg averages and also gives drivers immediate access to 738 lb-ft of torque. For a truck that has that much size, power and tech going on, the Xtrux wears very simple, understated styling.

Subaru Legacy Concept

Subaru shows a sportier look for its venerable Legacy sedan with the Legacy Concept that premiered in LA. The concept car hints at what the Legacy would look like as a slick, four-door coupe. The lights, shapes and cuts of the front and rear fascias mirror each other, providing a symmetry that's physically connected by sharp character lines running down the flanks. The concept car is coated with Ocean Silver Metallic paint. It's not clear how much the Legacy Concept will influence the next production model, but we like what we see so far.

1963 Chevy Corvette "Asteroid"

The 1963 Corvette "Asteroid"

We left this list open to special editions specifically so we'd have an excuse to include this one-of-a-kind 1963 Chevy Corvette Asteroid. The sparkling Stingray was a welcome contrast to the brand-new hardware of the LA show. We're not sure we'd cover a classic Corvette in glittering metallic paint, but this particular model was still new when it was customized by Barris Kustoms. Originally owned by Bob Nordskog, the Asteroid won several show awards and ran a 12.20 in the quarter mile in its heyday. In LA, it served as a very effective advertisement for the upcoming Barrett Jackson Westworld of Scottsdale auction, which starts on January 12.

SRT Viper GTS Anodized Carbon Special Edition

SRT Viper GTS Anodized Carbon Special Edition

Interestingly enough, the Corvette Asteroid wasn't the only iconic American sports car slathered in metallic paint. The all-new Viper GTS Anodized Carbon made its debut at the LA show, representing Chrysler's first application of the new metallic matte paint. Accenting that luscious metal paint are black vapor chrome, five-spoke “Rattler” wheels, orange brake calipers, carbon fiber brake ducts and other styling enhancements. SRT will build just 50 examples of the limited edition package, beginning in January.

Shelby Raptor

Shelby Raptor at the 2013 LA Auto Show

We missed the reveal of the 2013 Shelby Raptor package at the New York Auto Show in March, so we were sure to take our time looking it over in LA. The Ford SVT Raptor is already one of the most rugged, off-road-ready pickup trucks in the world, and the Shelby treatment just warms it up further. With the help of a supercharger, Shelby adds more than 150 horses, dialing the Raptor right up to 575 hp. The US$18,000 package also includes a Shelby exhaust, custom interior, serial numbered badges and graphics package.

Volkswagen Design Vision GTI

Volkswagen Design Vision GTI

A rather radical GTI makeover, the Design Vision GTI was first revealed at the Wörthersee festival. The slices down its sides look a bit like the side blades on the Audi R8, but they're actually C-pillar extensions designed to extend the body work over widened tracks and 20-inch wheels. Under the hood, a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 TSI engine puts out 503 hp – more than double the stock GTI's 230 hp. That power is distributed to all four wheels, ensuring performance just south of "supercar" – 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.9 seconds and 186 mph (300 km/h) at the top end. The design is the essence of an exhilarating hot hatch.

That's our pick of the concepts and special editions rolled out at this year's LA Auto Show. Let us know the concepts you'd like to see make the jump to production and those you think should remain concepts.

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7 comments
Nairda
I'll take the Volkswagen GTI with the 500 hp thanks.
Make those gaudy black lines white to match the rest, and TADAA!! Room in the back for the kids and shopping. Perfect sleeper !

Stephen N Russell
Like AMG, Raptor & Viper models Awesome.
Slowburn
The Mercedes AMG Vision Gran Turismo reminded me of a C3 Corvette that got over the anorexia.
Schuyler19
I'll take that AMG Grand Turismo w/ a side of GTI, thank you very much.
ELM
Shelby for towing the trailer down the tip (after all, that is where a Ford belongs), XTrux for carrying the surf rods, VW GTI for heading down to Safeway, AMG for sticking it up all the tourist snobs when visiting Sorrento and because it's shiny,and the old Vet, simply because it is an Old Corvet (niccce).
Bruce H. Anderson
It appears that the aspect ratio of tires on the car show circuit are in the single digits.
Mr E
It looks like George Barris removed the split-window in the '63 Corvette. I wonder if he regrets it now. I suspect that being a Barris Kustom enhances the value more than the lack of the window divider detracts from it.