LA Auto Show 2015 reimagines three vehicles

LA Auto Show 2015 concourse
LA Auto Show 2015 hosted 33 vehicle world debuts, including a convertible crossover and modern day dune buggy. Photos by Benjamin Yong.

Just down the coast from us, the LA Auto Show (LAAS) — on until Nov. 29 — enters its 108th year and continues to establish itself as one of the biggest venues on the show circuit for industry announcements and vehicle debuts. This year features lots of different takes on models people know in love, and we share three of OpenRoad’s favourites.

2017 Range Rover Evoque Convertible

2017 Range Rover Evoque Convertible

When you imagine open air driving, I doubt you think of a roofless Range Rover Evoque, ploughing down a muddy slope. Yet, here it is in all of its drop top SUV glory, the first of its kind to join the lineup.

2017 Range Rover Evoque Convertible side

Marketed as something for people who know no boundaries, what’s truly shocking is that the Evoque sans roof actually looks quite good from all angles. The fabric top folds flush into the rear deck for a clean appearance, and the doors are frameless giving the SUV a sharp silhouette.

The four-seater boasts 240 horsepower and a nine-speed transmission, and will start at $64,990 when it arrives in Canadian dealerships in spring 2016.

2017 Volkswagen Beetle Dune

2017 Volkswagen Beetle Dune

Some may remember fondly back to the 60s or 70s when dune buggies were all the rage, shown in magazines and on TV screens zipping along sandy shorelines driven by tanned, fun-loving beachgoers. Volkswagen is trying to bring that feeling back with the introduction of the new Beetle Dune.

2017 Volkswagen Beetle Dune side

There is perhaps no better venue than California to launch what VW calls its “first crossover model since the Beetle was introduced over 80 years ago.” Key features include a raised ride height, unique bumpers, black wheel arch flares, body protection trim and two new colours such as the pictured Sandstorm Yellow.

The Dune will be available as either a coupe or convertible, and goes on sale early 2016.

2016 Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport

2016 Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport

First there was the Porsche Cayman. Then we saw the Cayman S, the Cayman GTS and recently, the GT4. What crazier, racier version could it possibly come in? The answer: the 2016 Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport.

Before you break out the piggybank, it should be noted that the Clubsport is intended for track use rather than Sunday drives and work commutes. This 3.8-litre, 385 hp Cayman’s chassis has been modified for use on the circuit, as well as its already massive brakes enlarged further. Weight reduction has also been thrown in for good measure.

Look for the Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport participating in races worldwide for the 2016 season. 

LA Auto Show 2015 hallway

OpenRoad's Frankfurt Motor Show 2015 top picks

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Visitors inspect automobile manufacturers’ latest wares at IAA 2015, which runs now until Sept. 27 in Frankfurt, Germany.

The 66th annual Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA), or Frankfurt Motor Show, is in full swing right now in Germany. There have been dozens of new vehicles and concept debuts since the show opened a few days ago, but we picked out a handful that are particularly intriguing. Here are OpenRoad’s top three cars from this year’s IAA.

Porsche Mission E

Porsche has been very interested lately in the field of hybrid technology, evidenced by their release of several partially electric models last year. The Mission E concept car, however, is the brand’s first four-seater that is completely powered by electricity. With a range of over 500 kilometres on one charge, it only takes approximately 15 minutes to replenish 80 per cent of the battery thanks to Porsche’s unique 800-volt turbo charging system.

Porsche Mission E rear

Key stats

Horsepower: 600

Powertrain: two permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM)

Transmission: all-wheel drive

Seats: four

Fun fact: A camera mounted to the rear-view mirror detects the driver’s mood.

Mazda KOERU concept

Mazda KOERU

Before you ask — KOERU means “exceed” or “go beyond” in Japanese, which is what the company is trying to do with their latest crossover concept. It has Mazda’s current KODO styling written all over it, but also includes a few twists like the rings around the LED headlights that are supposed to resemble an untamed animal. As usual, engine specifics aren’t being disclosed but expect some form of SKYACTIV.

Mazda KOERU concept rear

Key stats

Horsepower: ?

Powertrain: ?

Transmission: ?

Seats: five

Fun fact:  The KOERU is rumoured to lead to a three-door CX-4 model, or a new CX-7 or CX-9.

Toyota C-HR Concept

Toyota C-HR

Consumers’ appetites for compact, fuel-efficient crossovers the world over continue to grow, and Toyota is hoping to capitalize on that with the C-HR Concept hybrid. The automaker has stated plainly they are looking to bring a new model to market, and hope to have a production-ready model to announce in a matter of months. Few specifics are known at this point besides the dimensions: 4,350 millimetres (length); 1,850 mm (width); 1,500 mm (height); 2,640 mm (wheelbase).

Toyota C-HR side

Key stats

Horsepower: ?

Powertrain: ?

Transmission: ?

Seats: five

Fun fact: The original concept featured a three-door design with a blue and black roof.

LIGHTS, $1.3m Porsche Supercar, and Action – Porsche Centre Langley's VIP Grand Opening

Photos by Andrew Ling

 

In 2000, OpenRoad Auto Group formed to offer car buyers and owners an experiential automotive retail service.

One of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies, CADA Laureate and the recipient of multiple Canadian Best Employer Awards, OpenRoad celebrated the official grand opening of its latest dealership, Porsche Centre Langley, with an exclusive VIP event that showcased the premium culture and iconic heritage of the German sports car brand.

With the addition of Porsche Centre Langley, the OpenRoad team now comprises of over 800 associates representing 12 import brands at 15 dealership locations across British Columbia.

To celebrate the Fraser Valley’s first certified Porsche dealership, which is one of only two Porsche sales and service centres in the Greater Vancouver area, more than 400 VIP guests were in attendance on Wednesday May 6th, 2015, for the grand opening ceremony. 

Dignitaries included Mayor Ted Schaffer from the City of Langley; Alexander Pollich, President and CEO of Porsche Cars Canada; Christian Chia, President and CEO of OpenRoad Auto Group, and Aly Jiwani, General Manager of Porsche Centre Langley.

“We congratulate Porsche Centre Langley and its team for the opening of their new location and welcome them to the family,” said Alexander Pollich, President & CEO, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd. “The greater Vancouver area is one of the markets around the country that has helped the brand grow substantially. As such, we are pleased to now offer our customers an address in Langley.”

Wednesday night’s event featured a private performance by Juno-award winning artist, LIGHTS, and featured live stallion horses, a line-up of vintage Porsche cars, as well as the sold-out limited edition $1.3 million Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid supercar – the fastest production road car in the world to have lapped the famed Nurburgring track.

“When we started to plan this event, I told our marketing team, ‘No matter what you do, just make sure that there is a lot of horse power’”, joked Christian Chia, President and CEO of OpenRoad.”I think they only heard the ‘horse’ part of my request”.

“We are thrilled to have been given the opportunity to partner with Porsche Canada to bring one of best brands in the world to the Fraser Valley,” added Chia. “Our goal is to offer more than just a great Porsche sales and service centre. We’re fully committed to creating new opportunities for motorsports enthusiasts in B.C. while building a unique community of people who are passionate about Porsche’s beautifully engineered, high performance cars and a best-in-class experience.”

If you have a chance, stop by and visit Porsche Langley’s 20 car showrooms at 6016 Collection Drive (corner of Glover Road and Langley Bypass). The 42,000 square-foot building features Porsche’s latest facility design concept and is part of the Langley Auto Collection, Canada’s only luxury auto mall.

Time Lapse video of the event:

More photos below:

Photos by Andrew Ling

 

Porsche Centre Langley Grand Opening Press Release

OpenRoad Showcases Porsche’s Iconic Heritage and Premium Culture at the Grand Opening of Porsche Centre Langley. More than 400 VIP guests attended the marquee celebration which featured a spectacle of live stallion horses, interactive staging elements, and an exclusive performance by Juno-award winning artist, LIGHTS.

Clean Energy Vehicle incentive program returns to B.C.

BMW i3
The BMW i3 is eligible for a rebate under phase two of B.C.’s Clean Energy Vehicle point-of-sale incentrive program. Photo by Benjamin Yong.

St. Paddy’s day may have been a couple of weeks ago, but folks in B.C. have another reason to go green again with the start of phase two of B.C.’s Clean Energy Vehicle (CEV) program on April 1.

About $7.5 million in electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicle sale incentives will be available from now until March 31, 2018, or until the funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.

“With the Clean Energy Vehicle program, we’re providing incentives that will make electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles more affordable for British Columbians, and expanding the charging and fuelling infrastructure to make it easier to ‘fill the tank,” says Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines.

Consumers thinking about purchasing or leasing a new battery electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle are eligible to receive up to a $5,000 rebate, and up to $6,000 if the power is provided by a hydrogen fuel cell, like the new Hyundai Tucson FCEV.

Bennett says phase one of the CEV program — that expired last spring — encouraged over 900 electric cars to find new homes and also spurred the installation of more than 1,000 charging stations across B.C., resulting in the reduction of approximately 57,000 tonnes of vehicle emissions.

Some quick stats: vehicles are responsible for nearly half of the province’s household greenhouse gas emissions; a CEV reduces emissions by 5.6 tonnes per year when compared to a conventional 2000 model year or older vehicle; a CEV reduces emissions by 3 tonnes per year when compared to a new gasoline-powered vehicle, according to a news release by the provincial government.

For drivers who hadn’t considered an alternative-energy automobile previously for whatever reason, manufacturers now offer several options that would appeal to even the most die-hard fan of traditional internal combustion. Here are some examples of what’s available.

BMW i3 charging

BMW i3

Type: battery electric vehicle (with optional gasoline Range Extender)

Form factor: five-passenger hatchback

Base MSRP: $45,000

Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid

Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid

Type: plug-in electric hybrid vehicle

Form factor: five-passenger mid-size crossover SUV

Base MSRP: $86,600

Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid

Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid

Type: plug-in electric hybrid vehicle

Form factor: five-passenger sedan

Base MSRP: $110,000

Toyota Prius Plug-in

Toyota Prius Plug-in

Type: plug-in electric hybrid vehicle

Form factor: five-passenger hatchback

Base MSRP: $35,905

Read more about the CEV phase 2 program on the website.