Lexus has pulled the veil on its LF-C2 concept car at the 2014 Los Angeles auto show.
Labeled as a design study, the LF-C2 will likely end up making production as a convertible version of th RC coupe, competing with the likes of the BMW 4-Series convertible and Audi A5 convertible. We’ve heard rumors that Lexus is also planning on giving the drop top treatment to the high-performance RC F coupe.

The LF-C2 shares similar styling with the RC coupe, but features even sharper lines and an exaggerated version of Lexus’ signature spindle grille. The show car wears a unique golden yellow paint job intended to give it a brilliant luster.

“The LF-C2 concept shows what’s in store for our brand’s future design direction,” said Jeff Bracken, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “This concept shows consumers around the world Lexus’ devotion to emotional designs as well as our passion for an exceptional driving experience.”

Like the RC coupe, the LF-C2 offers a 2+2 seating configuration. Front and rear seats are separated by a center console that runs the length of the car. The LF-C2 uses Lexus’ latest Remote Touchpad to control a central video monitor.

The LF-C2 is a true roadster without a top, but the production version will have some kind of roof to protect passengers from the elements. Whether that roof will be of the soft- or hard-top variety, however, remains to be seen.

Power is expected to be supplied by either a 3.5L V6 or a 5.0L V8.

No word on when the LF-C2 might make production, but something in the 2016-2017 timeframe seems reasonable.

Live images by Brian Williams.

Day one of the 2014 Los Angeles International Auto Show is winding down, and several heavyweights have already hit the show floor. Check out our day one highlights below, followed by a comprehensive list of what has been fully revealed so far, and be sure to stay here for continuing coverage throughout the week.

Highlights:

• Cadillac ATS-V – Cadillace’s new high-performance compact sedan and coupe will square off against the BMW M3/M4, Lexus RC F and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. With 455 horsepower, the Caddy should be no slouch in this segment.
• Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang – Ford’s all-new Mustang gets a track-focused model with a flat-plane crank V8 and magnetic suspension, putting it in position to go-head-to-head
• Porsche 911 GTS – Porsche’s new 911 variant slots in between the Carrera S and the GT3, striking a balance between track-oriented performance and everyday luxury.

Additional reveals:

Audi prologue
Audi R8 Competition
Bentley Grand Convertible
BMW X5 M
BMW X6 M
Chrysler 300
Ford Explorer
Mazda CX-3
Mazda CX-5
Mazda6
Mercedes-Maybach S600
Porsche Cayenne GTS
Volkswagen GTI Roadster

Porsche has formally unveiled its 2015 Cayenne GTS at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
The company has switched from a naturally-aspirated 4.8-liter V8 engine to a smaller 3.6-liter V6 that benefits from twin turbochargers. Forced induction brings a significant boost to output specs, resulting in 440 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque.

As expected, the extra power also improves driving performance. The GTS can accelerate to 62 mph in 5.2 seconds — a half-second faster than its predecessor — while the optional Sport Chrono package brings the same sprint down to just 5.1 seconds. Top speed remains unchanged, however, at 162 mph.

The six-cylinder engine will have a different sound than the V8 of the previous model, but Porsche promises the sports exhaust system has been tuned to provide the “familiarly deep GTS soundtrack.”

The GTS trim also adds a revised front end, inspired by the Turbo edition, along with red brake calipers, sculpted side sills and wheel-arch extensions. The look is rounded out with 20-inch RS Spyder wheels and GTS lettering on the front doors.

The model retains its sporty interior, featuring leather/Alcantara sport seats, GTS lettering on the head rests, and optional carmine red or rhodium silver with decorative stitching and seat-belts of contrasting color.

At the other end of the spectrum, the base Cayenne retains the same 3.6-liter V6 as its predecessor. A new eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission helps shave nearly a quarter second off its zero-to-62mph sprint. The package also lists bi-xenon headlights, stop/start, paddle shifters and a multi-function sport steering wheel among its standard features.

The Cayenne GTS is scheduled to arrive in showrooms by February 2015. Pricing will start at $96,495 for the GTS package, commanding a $36,000 premium over the base model.

Porsche has revealed the 2015 911 GTS in Los Angeles.
Designed to slot between the Carrera S and the GT3, the GTS is powered by a 3.8-liter flat-six engine that sends 430 horsepower to the rear wheels via either a dual-clutch PDK transmission or a manual gearbox. Buyers can order the GTS with all-wheel drive at an extra cost.

Fitted with a manual transmission and rear-wheel drive, the 911 GTS coupe is capable of reaching 62 mph from a stop in 4.0 seconds. A similarly-equipped convertible GTS performs the same task in 4.0 seconds, while both models top out at over 186 mph.

The GTS comes with Porsche’s Active Suspension Management (PASM) system that slightly lowers the ride height to improve handling. All GTS models come with the Sport Chrono Package that adds track-focused components like stability-enhancing dynamic engine mounts and a combination digital/analog stopwatch mounted atop the dashboard.

Visually, the GTS stands out from other 911 models thanks to model-specific 20-inch center-locking alloy wheels, smoked headlights, bigger air intakes behind the doors and custom trim pieces all around. Both two- and four-wheel drive GTS models feature a wide rear end borrowed from the Carrera 4.

Inside, the 911 GTS comes with sport seats upholstered in a combination of leather and Alcantara.

The 2015 Porsche 911 GTS will go on sale across the United States before the end of the year. The rear-wheel drive 911 GTS coupe will cost $114,200 and the range-topping all-wheel drive convertible will retail for $132,800. The prices don’t include a mandatory $995 destination charge.

Live images by Brian Williams.

Ford has finally unveiled its long-awaited Shelby GT350 Mustang racer. The all-new Shelby GT350 Mustang greets the public for the first time at this week’s Los Angeles auto show.
As expected, the 2015 Shelby GT350 Mustang is a race car for the streets, much like the original GT350 that was launched by Carroll Shelby in 1965.

To that end, the GT350 ditches the massive, supercharged V8 that was found beneath the hood of the previous GT500 for a high-winding 5.2L naturally aspirated V8. Using Ford’s first-ever application of flat-plane crank technology — which allows better engine breathing — the 5.2L V8 in the new GT350 cranks out “more than” 500 horsepower and 400 lb-ft or torque, making it the most powerful naturally aspirated engine in Ford’s production history.

A light-weight six-speed manual transmission will be the only gearbox offered in the GT350.

In order to improve the Mustang’s handling prowess, the GT350 has been fitted with a lowered suspension, Ford’s first ever adaptive damper system (called ManeRide), extra-stiff 19-inch wheels and specially designed Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. The GT350 also boasts a wider front track than the standard Mustang.

Brakes have been improved to Brembo-sourced six-piston calipers clamping 394-millimeter discs at the front and four-piston calipers on 380-millimeter rotors at the rear. Ford claims the “GT350 features the most track-credible brake system ever offered on a Ford vehicle in terms of absolute stopping power, fade resistance and brake pedal feel.”

The GT350 package also includes an aero package that features a lower aluminum hood, re-sculpted front fascia with integrated splitter, ducted belly pan, functional rear diffuser and decklid spoiler. Cooling in the GT350 has also been improved thanks to air vents in the car’s hood, side fenders and front grille.

The interior of the GT350 is also all-business, starting with standard Recaro sports seats, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and a unique gauge cluster. Ford also went to the length of removing interior chrome accents to prevent sun glare that might distract a driver on the race track.

Upholding its image as a race car for the track, the Mustang’s standard suite of driving aids has been made completely reconfigurable in the GT350. The updated driver control system allows the driver to pick from several different modes for the car’s ABS, stability control, traction control, steering effort, throttle mapping, MagneRide tuning and exhaust settings.

“When we started working on this car, we wanted to build the best possible Mustang for the places we most love to drive – challenging back roads with a variety of corners and elevation changes – and the track on weekends,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “Every change we made to this car was driven by the functional requirements of a powerful, responsive powerplant – nimble, precise handling and massive stopping power.”

Ford hasn’t announced pricing or availability details for the 2015 Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang, but we expect to hear more on that front in the coming weeks.

Live Images by Brian Williams.