Page 2Hyundai HED-5
With the 2008 L.A. auto show teeming with hybrid concept cars, it's nice to visit with the diesel-powered Hyundai HED-5. The HED-5 gives egg-shaped vehicles a good name, and it does wonders for diesel technology as well. The dual-stage turbo setup gives the Hyundai HED-5 well over 200 horsepower and low emissions. Inside, that's first-class leather covering the "swivel" seats, which blend modernity with comfort.
Photo Credit: Staff
Page 3Honda CR-Z Concept
If the Honda Insight Concept that was shown at the 2008 L.A. Auto Show is the near future of the company's hybrid program, the Honda CR-Z Concept – also shown at the L.A. Auto Show – is the slightly further out vision of the same. This two-seat sports car has made the show rounds before, but Honda admits that it is a preview of a hybrid sports car that will be available in a couple of years. Basically, Honda fans, expect a hybrid CRX sometime early next decade. Our reaction? Woo hoo!
Photo Credit: Staff
Page 4Honda FC Sport Concept
The Honda FC Sport Concept is what the FCX Clarity would be if it were a sports car. Well, at least, that's the general idea. The FC Sport Concept that debuted at the L.A. Auto Show is pretty far fetched, but considering that it uses the same fuel cell stack as the FCX Clarity – which is a vehicle available for lease right now – it's not entirely out of the range of possibility for some time in the future. Besides, it looks awesome with a three-occupant seating that puts the driver front and center, and an exposed fuel cell stack that echoes a common mid-engined sports car styling theme.
Photo Credit: Staff
Page 52009 BMW 7 Series ActiveHybrid
The 2009 BMW 7 Series ActiveHybrid combines the best of two worlds: The horsepower, style and country-club cachet of the new 7 Series, and the environmental responsibility of a mild hybrid. Originally debuted at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, it makes its first appearance at the 2008 L.A. Auto Show. It combines the 400 hp V-8 of the standard 2009 BMW 7 Series with a 20 kW electric motor that adds an additional 154 lb.-ft of torque. At the 2008 L.A. Auto Show, BMW said that the hybrid system actually adds to the performance of the 7 Series, while promoting up to 15 percent better fuel economy. See...best of both worlds.
Photo Credit: Staff
Page 6Mercedes-Benz ConceptFascination
The Mercedes-Benz ConceptFascination was unveiled at the 2008 Paris Auto Show, but made its U.S. debut at the 2008 L.A. Auto Show. The ConceptFascination is a "shooting brake," which means two-door wagon to the rest of us. Beyond that, it's also a good look at what the next-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class will look like. Expect the nose to carry over virtually intact, save for the ultra-concept headlights, and it's possible we'll see the 2.2-liter, 204 hp four-cylinder BlueTec diesel engine, too.
Photo Credit: Staff
Page 72009 BMW X6 Hybrid
The BMW X6 has only been on sale for six months, but the vehicle has already made an impact. However, BMW has soldiered on, and at the 2008 L.A. Auto Show revealed that it’s applying the same hybrid powertrain in the 2009 7 Series to the 2009 BMW X6 Hybrid. Using the same 20 kW electric motor and 210 Nm torque boost, it promises to make the X6 an even more serious performer.
Photo Credit: Staff
Page 8Kia Borrego Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle
Completely overshadowed by all the Kia Souls at the 2008 L.A. Auto Show, the Kia Borrego Fuel Cell electric Vehicle (FCEV) concept also quietly debuted. While the Soul will have the limelight, the Borrego FCEV deserves some attention, too. Kia has quietly worked on its fuel cell program, and with the Borrego FCEV it now has a vehicle that has a 400-plus mile range with the three-tank system Kia has fitted to this Borrego. It’s still developmental, and like all fuel cells, there’s still a lot of hurdles that need to be jumped to make the Borrego FCEV a reality. Such as readily available hydrogen. Still, if those hurdles can be jumped, the Borrego FCEV at least shows us that fuel cell vehicles don’t have to be small or short-ranged.
Photo Credit: Staff
Page 9More live updates -- all day long -- from the 2008 L.A. auto show
MyRide's 2008 L.A. auto show coverage is a real-time, non-stop affair. And as long as there are new cars, concept cars and world premieres being unveiled at the L.A. auto show, we'll be collecting them and adding pages, photos and video to the stories like the one you. So over the next few days -- or even just a couple of hours from now -- you're invited to return to the 2008 L.A. auto show story you've just finished to see what amazing new cars and concepts we've added to it.
In the meantime, check out these other all-new highlights from the 2008 L.A. auto show:
Photo Credit: Ron Perry
