We pick the top 13 cars at the shows
You'll be surprised to see what's there and what's missing
The Auto Spies pick out a bakers dozen of our favorite cars at the L.A. and Detroit auto shows (in order of preference):
- Aston Martin AMV8 Vantage- Our favorite description of the car came from an anonymous designer, from one of the large auto manufacturers, when they said, “It’s just like a Gucci G-string. It’s sexy, simple and expensive!” We agree! AND It’s 100% Bangle-Free! (See our in depth article “Coolest car at the shows” for more pictures and details).
- Bentley Continental GT- A close second to the Aston, Bentley has an upcoming winner on their hands. If it is a success, and we think it will be, our prediction of an upcoming four door version will come true. (See our in depth article “Bentley Continental GT” for more pictures and details).
- Toyota FJ40 concept- The best looking Toyota or Lexus in a LONG, LONG time! Absolutely gorgeous! And what would you expect when you commission a killer design house (Calty) in the coolest, hippest town in the US, Newport Beach. This proves our point that Honda COULD have made the element look beautiful AND sold a ton to the GENx/y’s. They appreciate beautiful vehicles as well. Toyota, PLEASE build this! Show us you have SOME sense of romance and passion for design! (See our in depth article “Toyota FJ40 concept” for more pictures and details).
- Cadillac Sixteen- How about an even more gorgeous sedan than the S-class, with the power of 2.2 or so M5’s under the hood! 1000HP! Beautifully elegant, with hints (rear roof line) of the old Eldorados (when they were actually good looking!). The only downer? Projected price of $250-300K! Auto Spies scoop: Our Spies tell us, if this makes it to market and it probably won’t, look for Cadillac to figure out a way to make it sell in the $150K range. If they can do that AND produce the level of quality need in this segment, it will become a reality. (See our in depth article “Sixteen, beautiful but you’ll probably never be mine” for more pictures and details).
- Audi Pikes Peak- What the Cayenne and Touareg should have been from the beginning, Audi does it right with the Pikes Peak. This is the best looking of the three AND it has a third seat. The Audi management should be ashamed of themselves by not have an Audi branded Cayenne/Touareg RIGHT NOW. You guys have been killing yourselves, trying to figure out a competitive advantage to help gain market share against MB and BMW, and this things been staring you in the face for the last two years! If we were on your board we’d fire everyone’s asses, who were responsible for the delay in having an SUV ready. And don’t give us the line that you’ve had the All-road…As John Stossel would say “Give me a break!” Auto Spies scoop- The production versions wheel base will be even longer to accommodate more room behind the third seat. (See our in depth article “Audi Pikes Peak concept” for more pictures and details).
- Tie: Volkswagen Touareg/Infiniti FX45- These are two great SUV’s. There is a lot to like on both but the reason they tied is because we like certain things about each vehicle equally. The Touareg is BETTER looking than the Cayenne (exterior) and the interior fit and finish embarrasses the FX45. BUT, for under 50K, you get a loaded (nav and all) FX45, that beat the performance numbers (see February Car and Driver) of the ML55 AND the X5 4.6is! You see our dilemma? Now why can’t we have the performance of the FX45 and the finish quality of the VW? VW, Audi and Infiniti, I hope you’re working on this for the next round.
- Lexus RX330 SUHV- The most underrated announcement at the show, but certainly a groundbreaking vehicle for the world of SUV’s. We’re not crazy about the look of the new 330, but this SUV should be a ‘wake up call’ for everyone else in the market. Lexus will once again force change, were it’s needed most. By the way Lexus, where was the Spies invite to the private Peter Frampton concert? (See our in depth article “New Lexus SUHV, it’s a good thing” for more pictures and details).
- Mercedes-Benz E-class wagon- A very well thought out, next generation E-class wagon. Even more utility than you’ve come to love on the older generation vehicles and a sexier body (See our in depth article “E-class wagon makes its splash” for more pictures and details).
- Audi RS6- An amazing supercar but we wish it was the same price as the E55 or M5. (More photos in our “Auto show gallery” articles).
- Audi S4- A perennial favorite of ours and better looking than the M3 in our opinion. (More photos in our “Auto show gallery” articles).
- Ferrari Enzo- What can you say, even though it’s not the prettiest Ferrari, it is still quite a feat of engineering! (More photos in our “Auto show gallery” articles).
- Dodge Kahuna- Another great follow up to last year's ‘Jeep Willys2’ concept by our favorite young designer Jordan Meadows (Bangle, Mays, you guys got nothing over this kid! His stuff is just right.) (More photos in our “Auto show gallery” articles).
- Ford Mustang- The best Ford concept at the show. We really like what they’re doing on the Mustang and across their vehicles lines, to make the interior quality (gauges, etc.) more in line with the higher end luxury brands. (More photos in our “Auto show gallery” articles).
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