The LA Auto Show promises to be a revealing place when the 2016 edition’s trade show, AutoMobility LA opens Nov. 14.
What’s to see? So far there’s a titillating lineup of at least 50 unveilings (including 20 world debuts), and if you’re into the far-out, there’s the Divergent Blade Supercar production model a two-seat electric concept and the world’s first self-driving cognitive vehicle.
Elio Motors P5 prototype
Elio Motors P5 prototype
Elio Motors P5 prototype
Confirmed so far are world debuts from Alfa Romeo, Mazda, MINI, Subaru, Volkswagen and a compact Jeep SUV along with offerings from Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover and smart. Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Nissan plan multiple reveals and Porsche has confirmed no less that five debuts.
Among multiple global and North American debuts from GM are two from Chevrolet and the Cadillac Escala concept car.
But the show is not all luxury and performance production and concepts. There will be as significant lineup of SUVs and electric/hybrid options from several makes and models.
The show says there will be several significant technology announcements including the global premiere of the Blade production vehicle built on the Divergent 3D proprietary platform which the company claims represents the future of automobile manufacturing. It will be on the market in 2017.
Elio Motors, which is bringing a low-cost highly efficient commuter vehicle to market plans to reveal the E1C, its latest E-Series vehicle), the P5 prototype and Elio’s interactive ePlus display. The E1Cm an aerodynamic two-seat tandem vehicle claims 84 mpg (2.8 L/100 km) fuel consumption.
How about a self-driving shuttle? Olli, the world’s first self-driving cognitive vehicle, designed by Local Motors, will be at the show. The on-demand shuttle will carry 12 people and is currently being used on private roads in the Washington DC area. It’s the first vehicle to use the cloud-based cognitive computing capacity of IBM Watson Internet of Things to analyze and learn from high volumes of transportation data.