The Ultimate Guide to the Coolest Cars at the LA Auto Show

Nov 24, 2024 at 2:41 PM
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We embarked on a journey to the LA Auto Show, covering an astonishing 20,000 steps so that you don't have to. Just two hours ago, we dedicated a full day to exploring the depths of the 2024 Los Angeles Auto Show. Now, it's your turn to join us as we take you through the coolest cars, trucks, and SUVs we encountered across both halls of the LA Convention Center. From popular daily drivers to outrageous high-end exotics and even a hypercar that demands the full attention of its driver, we've rounded up the best of what this year's show had to offer. So, fasten your seatbelts; there's a world of automotive wonders waiting to be explored.

Uncover the Coolest Cars at the LA Auto Show

West Hall: A Bird's-Eye View

If you haven't had the chance to visit the LA Auto Show, it's important to note the sheer scale of the venue. Spanning across Pico Boulevard in downtown LA, it offers a vast array of automotive delights. We began our exploration in the West hall, where the first car that caught our eye was the Ford Mustang GTD. This one is truly a marvel, and I'm calling it the Mystang due to its similar Mystichrome paint seen on some of Ford's previous high-profile creations. It's set to be the fastest Mustang ever made by Ford when it reaches customers' hands.

Next, we came across the Ford F-150 Lightning, which claimed the King of the Mountain title at Pikes Peak this year. Despite a brief 26-second stop mid-run to address an issue, its 1,600 horsepower was enough to beat every other competitor. It's a true force to be reckoned with.

West Hall: Kia's Standout Models

In the West hall, Kia presented a batch of impressive cars. The WKNDR Concept, which I'm calling an ID. Buzz Killer, is a notable addition. Although it's not scheduled for production, the PV5 it's based on is a real EV van coming soon. In fact, it's going from concept to production in a remarkably short time compared to VW.

The new Kia EV9 GT and Sportage also stole the show. The Sportage gets more aggressive vertical headlights, a new curved display in the cabin, and a bit more power for hybrid buyers. The EV9 GT, on the other hand, is a 501 horsepower SUV with adaptive dampers, sticky tires, and bigger brakes. While the pricing remains unknown, we expect it to exceed $78,000 when it hits dealer lots.

Subaru's Performance Struggle

Subaru may be doing well in overall sales, but the performance market is a different story. The WRX has no STI counterpart, and Subaru brought a reminder of this to the show with Project Midnight. It's a bit of a slap in the face to STI fans, but it was there nonetheless. Interestingly, there was just enough space between it and a normal WRX for an STI trim to fit.

South Hall: Supercars and Race Cars

Heading towards the South hall, we were greeted by a collection of race cars and supercars. Porsche took center stage, showcasing their impressive lineup. Then, there was the newest KTM X-Bow GT, sitting among other supercars and super GT cars. In the corner, we spotted a pair of Drako-branded cars. The company claims that the 2,000 horsepower Dragon will go into series production with 420 miles of range in 2026. If this becomes a reality, it will be a game-changer.

Wildcard: West Coast Customs

The folks at West Coast Customs brought several awesome builds to the show. One of the highlights was 3018, an art piece from Daniel Arsham that resembles a Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder with crystals growing out of it. Alongside it was a classic 1970 Camaro RS with a stunning and very unique paint job. There were also various other cars, making this section a true wildcard at the LA Auto Show. We can't wait to share more from the show soon.