2019 Los Angeles Auto Show Preview

Check out the most important new cars and SUVs set to draw the crowds at the 2019 LA Auto Show

This year’s LA Auto Show looks set to be packed with new production models and exciting concepts. The 2018 event saw many major debuts, and 2019 looks ready to provide more of the same.

The show opens to the public on November 22nd, and runs through to December 1st, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Join us as we take a look at the most exciting cars and SUVs visitors to the show can expect to see.

More on Motoring Research:

2021 Ford Mach E Electric SUV

One of the biggest launches planned for the LA show is Ford’s Mustang-inspired electric SUV. Named the Mach E, Ford intends this battery SUV to be a true performance machine in the style of the Tesla offerings.

Iconic Mustang styling elements include the triple bar rear lights, along with a lengthy hood. Underneath will be a lithium-ion battery pack, proving an electric range in excess of 370 miles. Ford has invested heavily in developing the Mach E, and plans to add another 15 full-electric vehicles to its range by 2022.

Volkswagen ID Space Vizzion Concept

Volkswagen is also committed to electrification, and the ID Space Vizzion Concept will preview another forthcoming production model. The station wagon-inspired crossover design sits on Volkswagen’s Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) platform, shared with other electric VW vehicles.

Volkswagen plans to tailor versions of the Space Vizzion to particular markets when the finished car arrives in 2021. Along with a fully digital cockpit, the interior of the Space Vizzion features vegan leather-alternative AppleSkin upholstery.

Tesla Cybertruck set to join the family

In typical Tesla style, the big reveal of the company’s electric pickup truck will take place in Los Angeles, but not at the actual LA Auto Show. Instead, Elon Musk will unveil the Cybertruck at the SpaceX rocket factory.

Details on just what Tesla will bring to the pickup truck market are being kept a closely guarded secret. However, Musk has hinted at ‘polarizing’ looks for the Cybertruck, and the potential for substantial towing ability. All the information will be announced on November 21st.

2020 BMW M2 CS

BMW is bringing plenty of new cars to Los Angeles, and the show will mark the world debut for the 2020 BMW M2 CS. Intended as a final celebration of the compact M-car, the M2 CS packs more power and less weight through substantial changes by BMW’s Motorsport division.

A total of 444 horsepower now comes from the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine. With the optional seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, the rear-wheel drive M2 CS will accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds. Carbon fiber has been used for key body panels, with forged 19-inch wheels also added.

2020 Mini John Cooper Works GP

It might be small, but the ultimate performance version of the compact Mini hatchback is set to pack a serious punch, and price. U.S. customers will need to pay $44,900 plus destination charges to grab one of the 3,000 examples being built.

For that price, Mini is offering a car with 301 horsepower from its turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The JCW Works GP is also claimed to have lapped the fearsome Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit in under eight minutes, putting it in the territory of major performance cars. The full details of just how Mini has created its fastest-ever production car will be announced in LA.

Bollinger B1 and B2

They may not be conventionally pretty, but Bollinger promises that the electric B1 SUV and B2 pickup offerings will have genuine practicality and rugged off-road ability. The 120 kWh battery pack is said to offer a range of up to 200 miles, with the option of fast charging.

Despite the $125,000 price, buyers should not expect Tesla-style digital dashboards. The interior of the B1 and B2 is strictly utilitarian, with the ability to remove the doors and windows. All-wheel drive is standard, with individual electric motors providing power to each axle for a total output of 614 horsepower.

2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

Volkswagen’s full-size Atlas SUV has proven popular, with more than 100,000 examples leaving the factory in Chattanooga, TN since production began. The Atlas Cross Sport aims to add coupe-like looks to the equation, with seating for five instead of seven.

Sharing the same wheelbase as the regular Atlas should mean plenty of interior space, along with additional luxurious touches for the seats and dashboard. Two engines will be offered: a 276 horsepower V-6 and a 235 horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder, with Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system available. Specific pricing details will be announced when the Cross Sport goes on sale in early 2020. 

2020 Audi RS 6 Avant

North American fast Audi fans have long been denied access to the brand’s performance station wagons, but that all changes with the latest version of the RS 6 Avant. The specification suggests it has been worth the wait, with the RS 6 powered by a 600 horsepower 4.0-liter turbocharged V-8 engine.

An eight-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels through Audi’s trademark Quattro system. This allows the RS 6 Avant to accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 3.6 seconds, with a top speed limited to 155 mph. Despite that incredible performance, the RS 6 is still a luxurious and practical station wagon.

2021 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid

The new 2021 plug-in hybrid version of the Toyota RAV4 will become the most powerful version in the history of the popular crossover. Whilst hybrid versions have long been part of the RAV4 range, this will be the first one to feature plug-in technology.

Toyota promises that the RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid will benefit from ‘spirited acceleration’ along with ‘nimble handling’ and ‘impeccable style’. The Plug-In Hybrid will also debut a brand-new color, with Supersonic Red added to the palette for the RAV4.

2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

BMW announced the 2 Series Gran Coupe last month, with the LA Auto Show set to be the official public debut for the compact sedan. This will mean the first opportunity to see if the controversial styling works better in the metal, and if the Gran Coupe delivers on the promise of space and usability.

Two versions will be initially offered for the U.S. market, with the 228i xDrive as the entry-level model. Fans wanting more performance can opt for the 301 horsepower M235i xDrive, which can be specified with an additional Performance Package. Sales are set to begin in March 2020, with pricing to be confirmed closer to that date.

2020 BMW M8 Gran Coupe

Another BMW Gran Coupe making a debut in Los Angeles is the flagship four-door version of the M8. Offered in two flavors, the standard M8 is fitted with a 4.4-liter TwinPower Turbo V-8 producing 600 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. Buyers can also opt for the Competition version, which boosts output to 617 horsepower.

BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system is standard, as is an eight-speed automatic transmission. This goes some way towards justifying the steep pricing, which begins at $130,000 for the regular M8. Moving up to the M8 Competition version pushes this to $143,000.

2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia

Alfa Romeo is planning comprehensive overhauls for both the Giulia sedan and the Stelvio SUV. Whilst this will not alter the range of engines currently offered, the updates are intended to address a number of issues based on customer feedback.

Inside there will be a new center console, along with redesigned steering wheel and gear shifter. An all-new 8.8-inch multimedia touchscreen will also be added, along with added technology to enable Level II autonomous driving capabilities. New paint color options are likely to be the only significant changes to the exterior.

2020 Genesis G90

The flagship G90 sedan received a facelift for the South Korean market last year, but the updated car is only now ready to make a debut in North America. A gigantic new front grille is the most obvious styling change, but new wheels, headlights and taillights have also been added.

Genesis has not confirmed the finished specification for cars in the U.S. market, but the current choice of twin-turbo 3.3-liter V-6 or naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-8 engines should remain. Interior updates are also planned, with tweaks to the infotainment system likely to be included.

2020 Audi e-tron Sportback

After several years of teasing with concepts and disguised prototypes, Audi will finally unveil the finished e-tron Sportback in Los Angeles. As the coupe version of the existing e-tron electric SUV, the Sportback is set to retain the same powertrain as its squarer cousin.

This will mean the same dual electric motor system, offering all-wheel drive and a combined total of up to 355 horsepower. The Sportback will also keep the optional virtual side mirrors, which use integrated cameras instead of traditional glass.

2020 Hyundai Ioniq

Hyundai’s Ioniq range may not even be four-years-old, but the Korean company is already planning an overhaul for the electric and hybrid cars. New front and rear bumpers have been fitted, whilst redesigned LED headlights have also been added.

The pure electric Ioniq EV gains model-specific changes, with the addition of a new lithium-ion battery. This larger 38.3 kWh battery pack boosts overall range to 170 miles, based on the latest EPA rating. Hyundai is hoping this extended range will allow it to better compete with the Tesla Model 3.

2020 Karma Revero GTS

Southern California-based hybrid car manufacturer Karma will bring a number of new vehicles and concepts to the LA show. The 2019 Auto Show will mark the first major public airing for the Karma brand, and it intends to make a statement.

Alongside a new SC2 concept car will be an upgraded performance version of the Revero GT hybrid sedan. Given that the existing Revero is capable of 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds, a faster version should bring substantial performance to the hybrid world.

2020 BMW X3 xDrive30e

More BMW products are set to debut in Los Angeles, including the new X3 xDrive30e plug-in hybrid. Built in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the xDrive30e combines a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor. The result is a combined output of 292 horsepower for the compact crossover.

The lithium-ion battery pack also allows the X3 xDrive30e to cover up to 34 miles on electric power alone. Performance is impressive, with the plug-in X3 able to accelerate from 0-62 mph in 6.1 seconds. BMW notes that the xDrive30e will be rated as a Super ultra-low emissions vehicle, and should be able to use HOV lanes in certain states.

Genesis GV80 Concept

With a current range consisting solely of sedans, the forthcoming GV80 SUV will add a new body style to the Genesis brand. The company first displayed the GV80 Concept in 2017, but the time is seemingly now right for Genesis to reveal the important finished production version.

Based upon spy photos, the interior of the GV80 is set to be even more luxurious than the sedan models. Engine choices are reported to be numerous, with markets outside the United States also receiving diesel options. Genesis has plans for smaller luxury SUV models to be announced in the future.

2020 Porsche Taycan 4S

The all-electric Porsche Taycan made its official debut earlier this year at the Frankfurt Auto Show. However, the Los Angeles event will see a new mid-range version revealed, with multiple battery options included.

With only marginally reduced performance compared to the ‘Turbo’ models, the Taycan 4S will still pack an impressive punch. The standard version comes with 530 horsepower, whilst the Performance Battery 4S has 571 horsepower. Both are capable of accelerating from 0-62 mph in under 4 seconds, with the potential of covering up to 280 miles when fully charged.

2020 Mercedes-Maybach GLS

Mercedes-Benz will extend the luxurious Maybach range with the addition of an upgraded version of the large GLS SUV. The Mercedes-Maybach GLS is intended to target rivals such as the Range Rover Autobiography and Bentley Bentayga.

Unlike the seven-seater regular GLS, the Maybach version will be offered with two rows of seating only. A new grille, along with different wheels and headlights, will help differentiate the Maybach from normal GLS models. Air suspension is expected to be standard, whilst engine choices are yet to be revealed.

BMW X5 M and X6 M

Yet more new BMWs for Los Angeles come in the form of performance versions of the X5 SUV and X6 coupe SUV. Offered with the same twin-turbocharged V-8 engine as seen in the BMW M8 Gran Coupe, the X5 M and X6 M models both come with an output of 600 horsepower. The optional Competition version increases this to 617 horsepower.

BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system is standard for both X5 M and X6 M, along with adaptive suspension and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Competition models also benefit from a sports exhaust system, larger alloy wheels, and an interior finished in full Merino leather.

2020 Ford F-Series Super Duty Tremor

Although the 2020 F-Series Super Duty with Tremor package may have made an official appearance at the 2019 SEMA Show, it will also be on display in Los Angeles. Offered for both the F-250 and F-350, the Tremor pack brings additional off-road ability to Ford’s Super Duty pickups.

Key parts of the Tremor Package are 35-inch all-terrain tires, along with a bespoke rock-crawling setting for the driver mode selection. Upgraded shock absorbers, a locking rear differential, and special off-road compliant running boards are also included.

Dodge Challenger 50th Anniversary

2020 will mark the 50th anniversary of the Dodge Challenger, with the Chrysler brand looking to celebrate its famed muscle car in Los Angeles. A total of 50 different Challengers will be on display as part of the AutoMobility event, including original 1970 models.

Dodge is typically not shy about celebrating special anniversaries, as with the commemorative Charger Daytona announced earlier this year. This makes it likely that the LA Auto Show will see a limited edition Challenger model announced to celebrate this 50th birthday.

2020 Chevrolet C8 Corvette Stingray

It may have been revealed back in July, but the new C8 Corvette still manages to generate a substantial buzz. The first mid-engined production version of the Chevrolet sports car is likely to draw a crowd in LA, as will the recently announced convertible version.

Californian Corvette fans will have the chance to get up close and personal with the new ‘Vette, and can expect an appearance from the new C8.R racing version.

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John Redfern
John Redfern
U.S. Editor with a love of all things Americana. Woodgrain-clad station wagons and ridiculous muscle cars a speciality.

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