LAAutoShow2016
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The slow evolution of the tech-centric LA Auto Show
The LA Auto Show billed itself as the place where established automakers and enthusiastic startups would come together to show off the latest technological achievements in the world of cars. It even rebranded as "AutoMobility," combining the traditional show and connected car event into one.
Ford CEO Mark Fields looks to a future beyond car ownership
Ford CEO Mark Fields has been moving the automaker into ventures outside of its normal core business of selling cars for a few years now. His LA Auto Show keynote touched on the company's current undertakings and future plans. Engadget sat down to talk with Fields about the automaker's post-car-ownership road map, its partnerships with public transportation and the company's plan to bring autonomous taxis to the market in 2021.
Elio unveils its latest 84 mpg three-wheeled prototype
As Elio works it's way toward manufacturing, it's been progressively updating its pre-production car. Today at the LA Auto Show it unveiled the E1C engineering vehicle. This latest version of the gas-powered, 84-mile-per-gallon car is about 80 percent production ready and focuses on safety, interior and a ride that won't rattle your teeth out of your skull.
Volvo Concierge brings the gas station to you
Today at the LA Auto Show, Swedish car maker Volvo introduced its new Concierge app. The application is a quick way to get third-party vendors to wash, refuel and service Volvos. The best part is that you don't even have to leave your house to have any of these services completed.
Volkswagen wants to make you forget about diesel with new e-Golf
Volkswagen is looking for as much goodwill as it can muster. With that in mind, it introduced a new e-Golf Touch electric vehicle with range of 124 miles. The car has the same styling as it's gas-powered sibling, so potential buyers don't have to fret about losing the compact vehicle's looks to live a greener lifestyle.
Chrysler's hybrid minivan electrifies grocery getting
The hybrid market is dominated by sedans and compacts. Well, unless you can afford a luxury SUV like the Tesla Model X or Audi Q5 hybrid. For big families that want to lower their carbon footprint or just save a few bucks on gas, Chrysler has your back with its new Pacifica hybrid.
The Mercedes-Maybach S650's top feature is exclusivity
It's nothing new for Mercedes to make a luxury car, but its new Maybach S650 cabriolet takes things up a notch (or three). Only 300 are being made, each individually numbered, and only 75 of those are headed to the US. With a pricetag likely in the region of $300,000 this isn't the most expensive vehicle you can buy, but the German car maker is adding in enough design spice and under-the-hood goodies to make it one of the most desirable. At least for those that don't flinch at the price.
Acura's Precision Cockpit fuses AI and Android in your auto
Digital dials are great and all, but why not turn things up a notch? That's exactly what Acura is doing with its Precision Cockpit, unveiled at the LA Auto Show today. More than just an in-car infotainment system, the concept includes cabin elements borrowed from the NSX (such as the seats and the steering wheel), which show us just how future Acura motors will look and feel inside, along with how we'll interact with them. Acura's calling it a "choreographed in-car experience" (of course) and it appears that experience includes some clever technology.
Mini unveils its first hybrid vehicle
Tiny-carmaker Mini unveiled its hybrid all-wheel-drive Countryman S E at the LA Auto Show today. What's intriguing is that while it's an AWD vehicle, the front wheels are powered by the gas engine while the rear are connected to an electric motor.
Lucid Motors' super-secret car makes an appearance
Automotive startup, Lucid Motors dropped by the LA Auto Show with its super-secret sedan today. Because it's electric and doesn't have a traditional engine taking up space, the company has designed the car to have a smaller footprint that a luxury sedan like the BMW 7-Series. But, boasts the roughly the same amount of cargo and passenger space as those high-end vehicles.
BMW expands its ReachNow car-share service to Brooklyn
At the LA Auto Show today, BMW announced that its car-sharing service, ReachNow is expanding to Brooklyn starting today. The city joins Seattle and Portland as municipalities that have access to BMWs and Minis for one-way rentals within a set geographic range.
Hyundai adds Amazon's Alexa to its Blue Link connected cars
It's no fun starting your commute by going at your car with an ice scraper on a frosty morning. If you own a 2016 Hyundai, you won't have to -- at least if you have an Amazon Echo at home. The car-maker has baked Amazon's Alexa virtual assistant into its Blue Link connected car app. This means you can start your car, and set the temperature (among other things) from the warm embrace of your comforter using just your voice starting today.
Jaguar introduces its first electric concept car
A world where the majority of vehicles on the road are electric is pretty much inevitable at this point. With that in mind, British luxury automaker Jaguar unveiled its first battery-powered vehicle at the LA Auto Show today. But it's not the coupe or touring car you would expect -- instead the I-Pace concept is based on the company's F-Pace SUV line.
