2006 Los Angeles Auto Show Preview

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The show itself is weeks away. But the list of new production vehicles and concepts driving toward a Los Angeles auto show launch is growing.

Los Angeles show organizers are theming the show as "A New Beginning," and it's an appropriate choice. Since it's moved from January to November - and is no longer in the shadow of the Detroit show - the L.A. show has attracted 24 press conferences, 18 world debuts, a dozen North American debuts and an officially sanctioned "International" designation for this year.

Press days are Nov. 29 and 30, 2006. The show will be open to the public Dec. 1-10, 2006. (For hours, admission and directions, go to the show's official Web site .) But you can see some of what L.A.has in store right here at TheCarConnection:
2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible

Chrysler's new Sebring Convertible is coming to Los Angeles in search of sun, fun and willing shoppers. It will ride atop a platform penned by Mitsubishi, but will be powered by Chrysler's own engines and will not be a Lancer clone. The Sebring sedan is expected to arrive in the fall of 2006, and the convertible - shown here - should be at dealerships in the spring of 2007, as an early 2008 model. The ragtop shown on this test mule is a fake: the real vehicle will sport a hardtop convertible roof. The Sebring will be built at Chrysler's Sterling Heights, Mich., plant.

 

 

 

 

2008 Audi TT Roadster

Forgoing the coupe-convertible trend, Audi's TT Roadster returns with a fabric top and a range of engines and drivetrains. It's based on the new TT Coupe  we told you about in October. The engines include a 250-hp 3.2-liter V-6 and a 200-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four. The base car comes with a manual top, while the V-6 edition comes with a power-operated roof that opens or closes in 12 seconds. The V-6 also comes with quattro all-wheel drive. A six-speed manual is standard, but both versions can be ordered with S-tronic, the new name for the former DSG dual-clutch transmission. The TT Roadster 2.0 TFSI with S-tronic scoots to 60 mph in less than 6.5 seconds, Audi says, and hits a top speed of 146 mph. The Roadster 3.2 with S-tronic does the same in 5.9 seconds and 155 mph. Pricing and U.S. availability have not been confirmed.

Audi will also show its fantastic R8 sportscar at the L.A. show.

 

2008 Saturn Vue

The folks at Saturn have already shown us their PreVue Crossover Concept, and the Europeans have shown an Opel Antara Concept. Both of those vehicles are from headlamps to tailpipes about as close as they can get to the next Saturn Vue. We're sure that Saturn and Opel will be carrying over many of the styling cues when these vehicles - and others sporting possible Chevrolet, Vauxhall, Buick, and even Daewoo names, among others - reach production, but they'll likely all have four doors, and not the two as shown on the concepts. GM confirms the Vue will come to the Los Angeles show, so stay tuned for more details.

2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster

How do you make yourself look more alluring when you’re trying to find new investors? Unveiling a desirable new model wouldn’t be a bad move. That’s clearly the business strategy being applied at Aston Martin, where a new entry level convertible – the V8 Vantage Roadster – has made its debut.