Sunday, November 20, 2011

Practicality abounds at the 2011 LA Auto Show (wrap-up)

Practicality abounds at the 2011 LA Auto Show (wrap-up) | The Car Tech blog - CNET Reviews CNET Reviews 2011 Holiday Gift Guide Home You are here: Reviews Cell Phones Camcorders Digital Cameras Laptops TVs Car Tech Forums Appliances Cell Phone Accessories Components Desktops Games and Gear GPS Hard Drives & Burners Headphones Home Audio Home Video Internet Access Monitors MP3 Players Networking and Wi-Fi Peripherals Printers Software Tablets Web Hosting News Latest News Webware Crave Business Tech Green Tech Mobile Security Blogs Video Photos Media Cutting Edge Apple Politics & Law Gaming & Culture Microsoft Health Tech RSS Download Windows Software Mac Software Mobile Apps Web Apps CNET TV How To Phone Tablet Computer Web Home Theater Marketplace Log In | Join Log In Join CNET Sign in with My profile Log out
CNET Reviews The Car Tech blog Practicality abounds at the 2011 LA Auto Show (wrap-up) Antuan Goodwin by Antuan Goodwin November 18, 2011 6:32 PM PST Follow @antgoo 2013 Cadillac XTSMost of the cars unveiled this year were of the practical sort--such as the new Cadillac XTS--, but there was plenty of engine revving fun to be found, if one chose to go looking for it.

(Credit:Josh Miller/CNET)

Auto shows are wondrous events where bizarre conceptcars and unattainable exotics strut their stuff for automotive enthusiasts under bright lights and thumping music.

The 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show was a bit different. Most of the cars unveiled this year were of the practical sort: midsized to large premium sedans and crossovers aimed at a slightly older and more settled crowd. What's more, most of the vehicles that we saw unveiled were fully-baked production models that you can expect to see on the road (and in the Car Tech garage) within the next year.

(Credit:Josh Miller/CNET) Cadillac kicked the show off with its new XTS large sedan, a replacement for the aging STS that boasts enhanced safety features, including the so called "virtual bumper" system and the first implementation of the automaker's CUE infotainment system.


(Credit:Josh Miller/CNET) Hyundai followed up with the launch of the newly designed Azera, which slots in between the Sonata and the Genesis sedan and is powered by a new 3.3-liter V-6 engine.


(Credit:Josh Miller/CNET) Volkswagen updated the CC, bringing the four-door coupe in line with the design language currently used by its Passat and Jetta sedans.


(Credit:Antuan Goodwin/CNET) And Lincoln unveiled the new design language for the MKS sedan and MKT crossover. Let's just say that you'll have to see it to believe it.


But don't go thinking that this year's show is all about increased legroom and trunks big enough to swallow cases of Napa wine. There was plenty of engine revving, heart pumping fun to be found on the show floor, if one chose to go looking for it:


(Credit:Josh Miller/CNET) Fiat announced the North American launch of its new 500 Abarth--which could be the smallest true enthusiasts car on the market today.


(Credit:Antuan Goodwin/CNET) Subaru finally gave us a peak at the new rear-wheel drive BRZ concept STI and promised us that the Impreza WRX and WRX STI would be getting full refreshes in the coming years.


(Credit:Josh Miller/CNET) Mexico enters the sports car wars with the Mastretta MXT, a lightweight, 250 horsepower coupe that backs up its hot looks with sprints to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds.


(Credit:Antuan Goodwin/CNET) And Nintendo makes its debut at the show with a pair of cars that would certainly make anyone's commute a great deal more interesting.


Be sure to check out the rest of our coverage of the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Antuan Goodwin Antuan gained most of his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets.

Follow @antgoo Topics: New models, Car shows Tags: LA Auto Show, 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show
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