2006 L.A. Auto Show: Land Rover LR2 Price Announced

We already saw the LR2 when it debuted in Europe earlier this year, but the exciting thing here in L.A. was not only seeing it in person, but hearing there was a price tag attached. When we say price — singular — we mean price. The LR2 will come standard with almost every goodie – leather seats, a two-part panoramic sunroof and a six-disc Alpine stereo — for $34,700. The only add-ons are a technology package with navigation for $3,400, a cold-weather package with heated seats for $400, and a lighting package with bi-xenon headlights for $1,050.

The price is perfectly aimed at the Acura RDX, which starts at $32,995, and the BMW X3, which starts at $38,000.

2006 L.A. Auto Show: The Governator

"Think beyond gasoline."

That was the order from California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today during a press conference just outside the L.A. Convention Center praising the development of alternative-fuel cars.

Schwarzenegger, who recently pushed for stricter emissions standards for California, was tanned and jovial as he introduced what he called "the cars of the future." His message: Praise for automakers like BMW and GM for building cars that cut emissions and reduce the use of gas, and a call for other car manufacturers to join in the innovations.

Recapping Day 1 of the L.A. Auto Show

A whole lot went on yesterday, and we wanted to take this time to round up the onslaught of new models we got to see and touch here at the L.A. Convention Center. We took on 12 press conferences in seven hours and filed our thoughts over on the Cars.com Auto Show page. Check out the full reports with live photos on the following debuts:

Concept Cars

• BMW Hydrogen 7 Prototype
• Honda FCX
• Honda REMIX
• Honda Step Bus
• Mazda Nagare
• Mustang Giugiaro

Production Cars

• 2008 Audi TT Roadster
• 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible
• 2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid
• 2007 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster
• 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe
• 2007 Nissan Sentra SE-R
• 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line
• 2008 Saturn Vue
• 2008 Buick Enclave
• 2007 Cadillac DTS-L
• 2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster

Strange Sights at the L.A. Auto Show

There were a few oddities we couldn’t help but notice during the first press day at the L.A. Auto Show. For starters, Chevrolet hoisted a new Corvette high above its booth to tie in to the company’s recent advertising campaign touting a new warranty.

2006 L.A. Auto Show: Mazda Nagare Concept

Mazda says the Nagare — the word means “flow” in Japanese — Concept shows the future of Mazda’s design language. Translated from PR speak that means we might see some of the swooshes above the wheels or the grille treatment or who knows what from the Nagare on a future Mazda production vehicle. We’d buy that if the Nagare wasn’t so hard to decipher.

Perhaps the severe rearward slope of the windshield and cabin will be the flow we see in future models but otherwise we’re a bit dumbfounded. Plus that sharp, front beak doesn’t look like it would pass safety standards that look out for pedestrians these days. This could impale someone. More photos below. 

2006 L.A. Auto Show: Hyundai Hellion Concept

It has a tough name and aggressive lines, but this three-door concept is yet another flight of fancy. In fact, we can’t remember a Hyundai concept that came to life as a real production car. The most interesting thing about the Hellion is that its architecture was inspired by those hard-shell backpacks that make pedestrians look like human-turtle hybrids. No, we don’t get it either, but supposedly it makes the Hellion look more organic. And yes, we’re getting tired of the PR speak ourselves. Now on to the photos…

2006 L.A. Auto Show: Acura Advanced Sedan Concept

Um … honestly? We don’t know what to make of this one, folks. We’re about eight hours into Day 1 of the L.A. Auto Show and aren’t sure if our weary eyes are playing tricks on us or not. The Acura Advanced Sedan Concept shown here is out there. Way out there.

We’re going to quote the press release here because we don’t want you to think we’re making this stuff up: “The primary goal of this design study was to create a sophisticated, refined sedan with a mysterious presence.”

Mysterious is right, but is the mystery “Why make something so ugly?” or “Are we supposed to like this?” We’re just not sure. Acura has been making such eye-pleasing designs for the past few years we don’t see the need for a radical shift in design philosophy — and definitely not one that shifts in this direction.

There aren’t many vitals because this is a pure design concept. All we can give you are the following images for you to ponder — and discuss — among yourselves.

2006 L.A. Auto Show: Honda Step Bus Concept

Whoa! Now this is a concept. Honda’s Step Bus is pretty wild. It’s small and boxy and has a mid-engine layout to provide maximum space in a small package. Of course, we’re not sure where that engine is, given that in the images there doesn’t appear to be enough room to hide a backpack in this thing, much less an engine.

The key features are the sliding front doors — though they don’t really seem necessary and in the real world would add a lot of weight to a vehicle that will need to keep the pounds low. It’s a bit too crazy for us, but perhaps a future production version could compete with the Scion xBs of the world.

2006 L.A. Auto Show: Honda REMIX Concept

Honda used a high-profile car show to debut a pure concept: The REMIX was developed at the company’s Southern California design studio. It’s a front-wheel-drive, four-cylinder, six-speed manual sports coupe that’s supposed to be “fun to drive,” but which, like most concepts, probably can’t go very fast in real life. It sure is interesting to look at, though. More photos below.

Plug-In Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid Announced

There’s no time frame for it, but GM just announced plans to build a plug-in hybrid based on the Saturn Vue that debuted to the public just minutes ago at the L.A. Auto Show. The main reason the company can’t announce a timeline is that the battery technology — GM is looking at using lithium ion batteries — isn’t advanced enough to be mass-produced in this type of application. It will be worth it though; one executive was overheard saying such a plug-in could get around 70 mpg on the highway.

Other news is that the Saturn Vue Green Line will get a more advanced — and more expensive — two-mode hybrid system in calendar 2008. Vue Green Lines with that system will be available alongside ones with the current, less-efficient belt-alternator system, which is what’s in the all-new 2008 Vue Green Line debuting today. Customers will be able to choose between the two types. The belt-alternator setup will deliver roughly 25% better fuel economy than the regular Vue, while the two-mode system will see up to a 45% improvement. Unfortunately, we don’t yet have the standard Vue’s estimated mileage in order to do the math.