There are nearly 50 world or North American debuts of new cars at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. More than half are fuel efficient, eco-friendly green cars.
It’s tough to choose the most important new car, but my vote goes to the BMW i8 Spyder Concept electric — pictured here — and the Volvo plug-in diesel hybrid.
The BMW i8 Spyder Concept is a gorgeous plug-0n electric roadster capable of accelerating 0-60 mph in a blink under five seconds, with an electronically controlled top speed of 155 mph, and a 78 mpg fuel economy rating. It’s the top-down version of the i8 electric sedan BMW is set to launch in 2014. BMW is set to launch the i3 city car in 2013.
There’s no word yet on what the i8 Spyder will cost, but when I asked a BMW executive recently, he did not disagree with my “ballpark” figure of around $100,000.
The 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show opens to the pubic on Friday, November 30th. I’ll be there on the floor, checking out and reporting about the latest toys.
The 2013 Volvo V60 plug-in diesel hybrid will be priced at $75,218, which is $27,000 more expensive than a conventional V60 wagon. But the extra price gives you fuel economy of 124 MPG and super-low emissions, and the 2.4-liter five-cylinder diesel engine and electric motor deliver a combined of 285 horsepower. The new Volvo goes on sale in Europe in early 2012, but there’s no word yet when — or if — the diesel hybrid will be available in North America.
One of the most important parts of the annual LA Auto Show is the Green Car of the Year award, which goes to a vehicle already in production and available for sale, so the Volvo diesel hybrid and the BMW electric roadster don’t qualify this year. Maybe next year.
Finalists for the 2012 award include the Dodge Dart Aero, Ford C-Max, Ford Fusion, Mazda CX-5 SkyActiv, and Toyota Prius C.
The 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show opens to the pubic on Friday, November 30th. I’ll be there on the floor, checking out and reporting about the latest toys.
You could say green is the new black at the LA Auto Show.
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