As parts of the UK struggle with flooding, retail website BuyACar has registered increased searches for off-roaders, notably flood-capable machines that can wade through deep water. And as we’ll discover, that doesn’t automatically mean large expensive trucks.

“As soon as the recent catastrophic floods in parts of the UK hit the headlines, we saw website traffic to our articles about driving in floodwater surge, along with searches for cars with off-road capabilities,” said Christopher Lloyd, editor of BuyaCar.

“The lesson is that a rugged image isn’t always the best indicator of a car’s capabilities and that some tough-looking models can barely cope with water any deeper than an ordinary hatchback. So, if you want an SUV that offers true ability in flooding and off-road, make sure you do your homework to ensure you pick a suitable model.”

10 of the best cars for wading depth

So without further delay, let’s take a look at 10 of the best cars for when the going gets nautical, from the Ford Ecosport to the Toyota Hilux.

Volvo XC40

We begin with one of our favourite compact SUVs. Lovable and lauded though the XC40 is (it’s a multiple award-winner), traversing rivers isn’t high on its expected list of talents. Yet with a wading depth of 450mm, it’s a capable family car.

Jeep Renegade Trailhawk

With a name like ‘Jeep Renegade Trailhawk’, you’d hope this little SUV would be able to traverse the seabed. So its actual wading depth of 480mm seems slightly disappointing.

Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

The Cherokee betters that, with a wading depth of 508mm. It’s also larger and more practical than the Renegade.

Ford Ecosport

Prepare to be surprised: Ford’s dinky little crossover can wade to an impressive 550mm. The rest of the car isn’t so impressive, but a 2014-2017 model can be bought for less than £7,000.

Land Rover Discovery Sport

What kind of list would this be if it didn’t include a Land Rover? The Discovery Sport lives in the shadow of the full-size Discovery, plus various plusher Range Rovers. It’s still a comfortable and rugged SUV, however, with a wading depth of 600mm.

Toyota Hilux

The car that Jeremy Clarkson couldn’t kill is, of course, an off-road hero. The iconic Toyota Hilux will wade through 700mm of water, and is the first of a trio of Japanese models on this list.

Mitsubishi Shogun Sport

The next is the Mitsubishi Shogun Sport. Living up to its esteemed name, it’ll get through 700mm of water.

Toyota Land Cruiser

Further up the Toyota hierarchy is the luxurious Land Cruiser. But just because it has leather seats, that doesn’t make it a softie. It’ll wade up to 700mm, and there’s certainly less risk of being swept away.

Ford Ranger

The Ford Ranger is the default pick-up of the moment. It’ll wade to a very impressive depth of 800mm, which is the best you’ll get (on this list).

Land Rover Defender

Until Land Rover starts delivering these, anyway. The hotly-anticipated new Defender has a lot to prove, and muddy boots to fill. The figures are promising, with a best-ever wading depth of 900mm. We can’t wait to test that. Customers will start getting their cars early next year.

Honourable mentions

Although not on the BuyaCar list, you could also consider the Jeep Wrangler or Range Rover. The Wrangler betters its softer Jeep siblings, with a wading capability of 760mm. The big Rangie can handle more than 800mm, and tell you how deep the water is in real-time. Even the baby Range Rover Evoque is good for 600mm, which is equal to the old Mercedes G-Class, although not the new one’s 700mm capability.

Less honourable mentions

Not such a great performer in this respect is the new Suzuki Jimmy. Officially, it’s only good for 320mm. Proof it’s worth doing your homework when buying a flood-capable car.

UK drivers are spending £559 a year fixing unexpected problems with their cars. That’s according to a study of 2,000 motorists.

The research found that a third of motorists avoid basic maintenance, putting them at risk of nasty surprises.

London motorists spend the most, forking out £721 a year on potentially unnecessary repairs. Drivers in Leeds spend the least on bills, at £476 a year.

Over the past year, UK motorists spent more than £21 billion on problems with their cars. More often than not, it costs more to repair something than it does if you spotted the problem before it occurred.

The most common reasons for a breakdown include engine overheating (18 percent), clutch issues (17 percent), smashed windscreen (14 percent), oil issues (14 percent) and flat tyre (13 percent).

As part of the study, Holts asked drivers what event they had missed as a result of a breakdown. The top 10 answers are:

• Important baby event
• Job interview
• Birthday party
• A date
• Parents’ evening
• Child’s sports game
• Child’s school concert
• Funeral
• Foreign holiday
• A wedding

Who would you call when you’re left stranded by the road? Fifteen percent of drivers would call a sibling, while 10 percent would call their dad.

‘Drivers are spending excessively’

Tavia Spencer, brand manager at Holts, said: “Our research highlights that drivers are spending excessively when it comes to repairs on the car, especially when many of these can be fixed at home or by the road side.

“You often don’t need to be a fully trained mechanic or savvy under the bonnet, there are simple solutions available which will reduce call-outs and lost time.

“If drivers were more confident doing basic repairs on their cars, the money saved could be spent on more fun activities.

“While breaking down can be a real inconvenience and cause a number of disruptions, there are processes and emergency products available to help drivers get back on the road in a simple way with minimal fuss.”

The Aston Martin DBX SUV could be the most important car the British sports car firm will ever launch. The company’s future rests on the success of this, its first ever SUV. Fortunately, first impressions from the launch event in Los Angeles are strong. Aston Martin appears to have hit the bullseye with the 2020 DBX.

Striking, stylish and suitably sporty, the DBX is a standout SUV that eschews boxy blockiness for a more elegant and exotic profile. Can SUVs be beautiful? This lays a greater claim to it than most – and no, says the design team proudly, the obvious references to Aston sports cars like the Vantage are no coincidence…

Aston Martin has intentionally aimed for elegance with the DBX, rather than in-your-face brashness. The silhouette is described as fastback-like, with the visual mass over the rear wheels, like in a sports car. Yet a very long wheelbase means it’s easy to get into, both front and rear. It can’t simply look pretty: it has to tick all the SUV practicality boxes, too.

Of course, at the front, there’s the Aston Martin grille, and bonnet blades that can be finished in satin chrome, carbon fibre and other materials. The designers are proud of the new daytime running lights, which double up as indicators, and also have a built-in aerodynamic duct.

At the side, “the sculpted nature… contrasts with the flat, slab-like forms often seen on SUVs,” says Aston, in a not-so-subtle nod to some of its boxier rivals. It even has a beefy set of rear haunches, plus a set of dual exhausts.

22-inch alloys are standard, and Aston has even carefully considered the space between the tyre and wheelarch. It’s bigger than a sports car, and “this intentional injection of space imbues the whole car with a readiness and an uplifting demeanour that reflects the lightness in the way it drives whether on or off road”.

The interior is similarly appealing. Incredibly rich and luxurious, it’s also clean, contemporary and unlike any other Aston. The quality of the materials is of the very highest order, we’re told – and the amount of customisation for colours, trims and materials is vast.

The interior has been loaded up with technology. A 10.25-inch TFT screen is in the centre of the dash, with a 12.3-inch screen for the driver (Aston says the graphics and layout has been inspired by its classic sports cars). Apple CarPlay is standard, and all infotainment technology is sourced from tech partner Daimler.

The launch engine is a 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo, also used on the DB11 and Vantage. It produces 550 horsepower, taking this 2,245 kg (4,940 lb) five-seat SUV from 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds, then onto 181 mph. Even faster versions will undoubtedly follow. All will likely use the launch nine-speed automatic gearbox.

It’s not the same engine as the Vantage and DB11, though. Aston Martin has actually changed the firing order of the cylinders, to alter the noise of the engine. An active exhaust enhances it, and also delivers a fruity start-up blast (if the owner wants a more discreet getaway, they can hold down the starter button to keep the active exhaust valves closed).

The off-road Aston

Can the DBX off-road? You bet. All-wheel drive is standard. It can wade through water 500 mm (nearly 20 inches) deep. The ride height can be raised. It has Aston Martin’s first ever hill descent control. The engineers have even confirmed it can reverse a trailer into water while towing a boat – oh, and they spent a lot of time going sideways honing the dynamics at the Walters Arena rally stage in Wales.

On-road driving hasn’t been compromised, though. The DBX still undertook Aston’s 8,000 km (5,000 mile) Nurburgring sign-off test. Dynamics engineer Matt Becker said the sideways grip of the DBX is “genuinely incredible… Our on-track and on-road performance has seen us push the boundaries of what is possible for an SUV and in many instances, we have seen performance credentials more likely seen in one of our sports car models.”

Aston Martin validated the DBX aerodynamics with a unique test – towing a trailer carrying a DB6 sports car. Other more mundane tests on a 40 percent scale model honed the fixed rear spoiler which just so happens to mimic the Vantage sports car. There isn’t a rear wiper – instead, water is removed by airflow through the rear wing.

Aston Martin Lagonda President & Group CEO, Dr. Andy Palmer said: “I can’t emphasise enough how incredibly exciting and significant DBX is for Aston Martin. Through its development alone, this beautiful SUV has already taken the company into new territories and in inspiring directions. This is a real landmark for this great British brand and I promise that DBX will reward all who experience it in their everyday lives.”

Expected to be many people’s first Aston Martin, Palmer said the DBX had to stay true to the sports car firm’s core values, “while also providing the lifestyle versatility expected of a luxury SUV”. He reckons the firm has achieved this and is proud the DBX is “beautiful, hand built, yet technologically advanced”.

The first 500 DBX will be special ‘1913 Package’ editions. These will all be personally inspected by CEO Palmer on the production line. Owners will also get a build book signed by Palmer and designer Marek Reichman – and, uniquely, an invitation to a special cocktail party in a Waldorf Astoria in the buyers’ region.

Nearly five years in the making

Development of the DBX started back in 2015. The decision to build it on a unique SUV platform is rare in the car industry; it’s enabled Aston Martin to “innovate and push the boundaries of what British design and engineering can create,” says the firm. A full five-seater, a design target was “class-leading spaciousness” both front and rear. Every DBX gets a full-length panoramic glass roof.

A little slice of Aston Martin Vantage can be seen in the DBX’s seats. Derived from those in the DB11, they use ‘sports car seat packaging’ which delivers lots of support and comfort for the driver, but also ample knee and footwell space for those in the rear. The seats are trimmed in Bridge of Weir leather.

A range of materials are used in the interior – metal, glass and (real) wood, the auto industry’s first Alcantara headlining, and the option of a new fabric made from 80 percent wool. Those who don’t like carbon fibre can choose a new flax composite made from the same plant as fine linen.

A target was accommodating the world’s 99th percentile male and 5th percentile female (Aston’s Female Advisory Board provided input into the design of the DBX – and six months was spent just perfecting the driving position). And their luggage: the boot is 632 litres (22.3 cu ft) with the 40:20:40-split rear seats up, 1,530 litres (54.0 cu ft) with them down. And there’s more…

Aston Martin has created a special set of accessory packages from launch – including a ‘Pet Package’ that comprises a portable washer to hose down your muddy dog. There’s also a Snow Package that includes boot warmers to ease the pain of starting out on a ski trip. Handcrafted luggage is also available.

The Aston Martin DBX rides on air suspension, with a powerful 48V electric anti-roll control system (or eARC). It can raise the ride height by 45 mm (1.77 in), lower it by 50 mm (1.97 in) and limits body roll to a level “more akin to that of a sports can than an SUV”.

Arrives 2020 – on sale NOW

The DBX, built on a bespoke all-aluminium architecture, will arrive in Britain first, in Q2 2020, with prices starting from £158,000 (and it’s on sale now). North America follows in the second half of 2020, with prices starting from $189,900. All models will be built at Aston Martin’s brand-new factory in St Athan, Wales.

Chrysler is helping celebrate its Australian history, with a special one-off version of the modern 300 sedan.

Five decades after the original Chrysler Valiant Pacer was launched, inspiration from it has been applied to one of the last affordable V8-powered four-doors in Australia. 

Although only a concept at present, Chrysler promises that a limited run of production cars will follow in the near future for Australian customers. 

True blue, or red, or yellow, Australian

Launched in 1969, the VF Valiant was an upgraded version of the third-generation of Chrysler’s full-size sedan range. Key changes for the VF Valiant included new body panels, along with the addition of a two-door hardtop model. 

However, the biggest change came with the introduction of the performance Pacer model. Aimed at offering affordable speed, the VF Valiant Pacer used a 225-cubic inch six-cylinder engine, producing 130 kW (174 horsepower). 

The Valiant Pacer was fitted with a three-speed manual transmission and capable of a 112 mph top speed. Special Pacer decals, and a choice of three paint options including ‘Wild Yellow’ helped mark it out.

Modern style, traditional values

The legend of the Valiant Pacer helped cement in Australian automotive culture, and one which deserves to be commemorated.

For the 300 SRT Pacer tribute car, Chrysler has added the classic Wild Yellow paint and red decals to the modern sedan. Chysler has even updated them to read ‘Pacer 392’, rather than the ‘Pacer 225’ written on the original.

This does also mean that the Pacer tribute makes use of a 6.4-liter (392-cubic inch) Hemi V-8 engine, offering 350 kW (470 horsepower) for serious performance.  

A more than valiant tribute

As impressive as the VF Valiant Pacer was when new, we imagine drivers of it would prefer the eight-speed automatic transmission with launch control, fitted to the Pacer tribute car. 

Sizeable 20-inch alloy wheels on the 300 SRT Pacer tribute dwarf those on the original Valiant. The SRT’s front splitter and rear spoiler give it an aggressive appearance. 

Chrysler has not yet confirmed how many examples of the 300 SRT Pacer will be built, or how much they will cost. However, for those wanting to relive the glory days of Australian performance, the price is likely to be worth paying.

The new ‘Ford v Ferrari’ movie is just hitting cinemas, and you could soon have the chance to own one of leading stars from it. 

Set to be part of the Mecum Auctions Kissimmee 2020 sale is one of the cars actually used in filming the movie. 

It means you could sit exactly where Christian Bale did, and recreate the experience of Ken Miles at the 1966 Le Mans 24 Hour race. 

Get ready to go like hell

Despite production of Ford v Ferrari having a budget approaching $100 million, the producers were not crazy enough to use actual Ford GT40s in the movie. Their rarity, and immense value, made using originals a non-starter. 

Thankfully, the lasting impression of the GT40 meant a number of replicas have been created. Fos Studios were convinced by the quality of the replicas made by Superformance, and agreed to use them as part of the movie production.

This particular GT40 replica acted as the ‘hero car’ in the film, and was the one driven by Christan Bale to emulate Ken Miles driving at Le Mans in 1966.

Bundle of snakes captured

Underneath the rear clamshell is a Roush-tuned Ford V-8 engine, specially prepared for use in this 1966 Superformance GT40. Enlarged to a displacement of 511-cubic inches (8.4-liters), total output is said to be 600 horsepower. 

A period-correct ‘bundle of snakes’ exhaust system has also been used, ensuring that this replica looks as accurate under the skin as it does outside. A five-speed manual transmission is shifted through an open gate lever.

Modern components from Bilstein and H&R have been used for the suspension, whilst Wilwood have supplied the brakes. We imagine Ken Miles would have loved ‘his’ 1966 GT40 to have been fitted with such high-end components!

This is no knock-off replica

Fox was reportedly so impressed with the attention to detail of the Superformance replica, that the car was even used for close-up filming. 

Shelby American Halibrand-style wheels with knock-off hubs are used to recreate the originals. These match superbly with the iconic Gulf Oil blue livery covering the steel bodywork. 

Inside, the Superformance GT40 is right-hand drive, and features a period-style Motalita steering wheel. Other interior details include Alcantara seats with rivet details, and Smiths dials to ensure it looks as accurate as possible.

True movie machine

Whilst is may not be an original GT40, the history of the car being used in a film about the success of Ford is deeply impressive provenance. The car has also been signed by Charlie Agapoo, Ken Miles’ crew chief in 1966, and Peter Miles, Ken’s son.

Owning a genuine 1966 Le Mans Ford GT40 MkII is an almost impossible scenario, which makes the chance to own this Superformance movie replica an incredible opportunity. 

The Mecum Kissimmee sale takes place from January 2nd, through to January 12th 2020, at Osceola Heritage Park. With more than 3,500 vehicles set to cross the block, this GT40 replica is just one of many amazing cars up for grabs.

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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:

• World Car Awards 2020 contenders revealed
• These are 2019’s best-selling car brands in the world
• Spot the difference: test your knowledge of auto badges

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.