The 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show takes place November 21-30 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, right in downtown L.A. This is the first large-scale domestic auto show of the season and you can expect to see the full range of 2009 and 2010 production cars, many of which are appearing in public for the first time.
Inside Line brought you full coverage and videos during the show's media days. But now it's your turn. During public days, we expect you'll be entertained by hundreds of cars filling some 760,000 square feet of exhibition space, as if the convention center had been turned into the world's largest car lot. You'll also find the show's unique displays from the automotive aftermarket in Kentia Hall, the largest display of car stuff outside of SEMA.
After tramping around the L.A. Convention Center over the course of the two days devoted to the preview for the media, we've selected our list of the most important must-see vehicles of the show. Get out your guide to the exhibition floor and circle the stands where these vehicles are displayed.
2009 Ferrari California: New models are rare in the Ferrari lineup, so don't miss the chance to see this all-new two-seater from Italy. It features a 460-hp V8 mounted up front, a dual-clutch transaxle in back and a folding hardtop that disappears in 20 seconds. It's also sold out for the next two years, so don't expect to see too many on the road.
2009 Nissan 370Z: The latest in Nissan's long line of Z sports cars, the new Z has been completely redesigned for 2009. A larger V6 engine (hence the new 370 designation), slightly shorter wheelbase and lighter overall chassis promise serious performance, while the base price remains reasonable at just under $30K.
2009 Nissan Cube: If you want something fuel-efficient and eye-catching, check out this new city car from Nissan. Its large interior makes the most out of the car's small footprint and it should return excellent mileage thanks to a small 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. Expect to see it on the road next year with a base price of around $15,000.
2010 Ford Mustang: You have to look closely to see the changes, but this Mustang is almost all-new inside and out. The more aerodynamic shape should help improve mileage, while the upgraded interior will appease those who find the current model cheap and unattractive. Ford engineers also managed to squeeze slightly more power out of the 4.6-liter V8, so GT models now boast 315 horsepower.
2010 Mazda 3: Already one of the best compact sedans on the market, this all-new version of Mazda's smallest sedan promises even more refined performance when it goes on sale early next year. Top models get a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers more power while returning better mileage than before.
2010 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series: With its 661-horsepower twin-turbo V12, this is the most powerful road car Mercedes-Benz has ever built. Only 175 will be sold in the United States, with a $299,000 price tag. Although based on Mercedes' more pedestrian SL convertible, this hardtop coupe has unique carbon-fiber bodywork that reduces weight and gives it a top speed of 198 mph.
2011 Chevrolet Volt: This is the car that GM hopes will erase any bad memories of the electric EV1. Although the car on display isn't the final production version, it's about 95 percent there. GM says the Volt will run up to around 40 miles on its lithium-ion batteries alone. After that, an onboard engine fires up to provide power for another 200 miles or so. It's expected to go on sale in the fall of 2010 for around $40,000.
Dodge EV: This is a pure electric sports car that Dodge hopes to put into production within the next couple of years. Based on a production Lotus, the lightweight two-seater can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds, according to Dodge. Also look for battery-powered versions of the Chrysler Town & Country minivan and Jeep Wrangler.
Honda FC Sport Concept: This is Honda's idea of what a fuel-cell-powered sports car of the future might look like. It was dreamed up in Honda's Advanced Design Studio in Pasadena and uses the same propulsion system as Honda's FCX Clarity production car. Details like Formula 1-style barge boards behind the front wheels and external cooling vents in back add to its performance look, along with the 19-inch wheels and low-profile Pirelli P Zero tires.
Honda Insight Concept: Designed to go head-to-head with the Toyota Prius, this concept is a near-production version of a dedicated gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle that will go on sale next year. With recent advances in battery technology, Honda says its costs have come down so it hopes to price the Insight close to $20K. The final production version will be unveiled at the Detroit auto show in January, with sales beginning by the spring.
Dates and Prices:
Tickets are $10 for adults (cash only), and free for children 12 and under. The show runs from Friday, November 21 until Sunday, November 30.
Show Hours:
Friday, November 21: 11 a.m. — 10 p.m.
Saturday, November 22: 9 a.m. — 10 p.m.
Sunday, November 23: 9 a.m. — 8 p.m.
Monday, November 24: 11 a.m. — 10 p.m.
Tuesday, November 25: 11 a.m. — 10 p.m.
Wednesday, November 26: 11 a.m. — 10 p.m.
Thanksgiving Day: 9 a.m. — 8 p.m.
Friday, November 28: 9 a.m. — 10 p.m.
Saturday, November 29: 9 a.m. — 10 p.m.
Sunday, November 30: 9 a.m. — 8 p.m.
Getting There:
Heading North:
From the 110-Harbor Freeway north, take the I-10-Santa Monica Freeway west exit. Stay to the left and immediately exit onto Pico Boulevard. The convention center is on the right.
Heading South:
From the 110-Harbor Freeway south, take the 9th Street or Olympic Boulevard exits. Follow signs to the convention center.
Heading East:
From the I-10-Santa Monica Freeway east, exit at Grand Avenue and turn left on Olive Street. Grand Avenue parking is on the left (weekends only), or continue and turn left on Venice Boulevard or Pico Boulevard to the convention center.
Heading West:
From the I-10-Santa Monica Freeway west, take the 110-Harbor Freeway north exit. Just before the 110-Harbor Freeway, exit at Pico Boulevard. The convention center will be on your right.
Parking:
On-site parking is available at South and West Halls for $12 per day. The entrance to South Hall parking is off Venice Boulevard, west of Figueroa Boulevard. The West Hall parking structure is located off Cherry Street, between 11th Street and Pico Boulevard.
Grand Avenue Garage — Additional weekend parking is available for $10 per day, Saturdays and Sundays only, at the Grand Avenue garage parking structure, located at Grand Avenue and Venice Boulevard. Free shuttle service is provided to and from the convention center, and runs continually from 30 minutes prior to opening to 30 minutes after closing. From the convention center, go east on either 12th Street, Pico Boulevard or Venice Boulevard to Grand Avenue and turn right (south) to the parking structure.
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