Special Cars

We bring you detailed preview of the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. The 2012 Los Angeles motor show opens its doors later today at the Los Angeles Convention Centre. Here’s our guide to the most important models that will be on the show floor. Audi Audi is continuing its diesel offensive on the US market – notorious for its disinterest in oil-burning cars. 3.0-litre TDI versions of the A6, A7, A8 and Q5 will be launched at the show, under the label CleanDiesel. BMW The latest addition to BMW’s ‘i’ range of electric cars, the i8 roadster, will make its debut at LA. Featuring a lift-out targa roof fashioned from carbon-fibre, it will use the same all-wheel drive setup as the coupe. BMW is also lifting the wraps of an X1 concept named K2 Powder Ride. It features a bespoke paint job and upgraded sound system and is the result of a partnership with ski manufacturer K2. Chevrolet Representing the polar extremes of US car culture, the Chevrolet Spark EV will be sharing its show stand with th...

The Cadillac Aera concept vehicle won the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge, tying with Smart and besting entries from seven other automakers including Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Nissan, Toyota and Maybach. GM Advanced Design has now won the honor more times than any other design team; this is its third victory since 2005. Like other concepts of this year’s challenge, the Aera focus on weight. The concept is a an efficient four-passenger vehicle that maintained comfort, safety, driving performance and style while not exceeding the “1,000 lb. car” weight limit. Aeras body utilizes a 3D lattice, mono-formed frame that was designed to be similar to configurations found consistently in nature. The structure is formed from unique, alloy-utilizing, semi-solid freeform manufacturing, creating a naturally strong, extremely lightweight frame. All major body parts, including interior components, are essentially "grown" into a single part lattice structure. The interior is crafted ...

Much like the 2010 9-5 sedan, the fate of Saab’s 9-4X crossover hung in limbo during General Motors’ sale of the Scandinavian automaker. Now that Saab is safely under the umbrella of Spyker Cars, the new 9-5 is trickling out on the road and we’ve just received the full host of images and data detailing the production-spec 9-4X, set to be publicly revealed at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show. While the 9-4X’s styling is clearly the evolution of Saab’s Aero X concept, the Cadillac SRX provides much of the crossover’s groundwork – this vehicle was wholly developed during the GM era, after all. This means that both the Caddy’s 3.0-liter V6 (265 horsepower) and turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 (300 horsepower) are on hand in the 9-4X, mated to six-speed automatic transmissions. The base engine can be had with either front- or all-wheel drive, while the turbo engine is solely offered with Saab’s torque-vectoring XWD all-wheel-drive system. Saab has also fitte...