Yannis

It’s been a hundred years since the first Los Angeles auto show, but this year may go down as one of the most significant for another reason. In the recent past, the L.A. show took place immediately ahead of the largest North American auto show, the one held in Motown itself; as a result most carmakers spent their energy unveiling new concepts and production models alike in Detroit.

But this year there is a full month between the two events, and many of the manufacturers took advantage of Los Angeles’s agreeable climate and inspirational settings (as well as a few celebrities) to show off their new goods. In fact, 40 new vehicles were shown at this year’s L.A. show, a record for this venue. These premiers included not just import vehicles, but even a fair share of domestic iron as well.

The night before the L.A. Auto Show’s opening day, Audi joined with Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood to announce a diesel initiative whereby all three companies will utilize the so-called Bluetec technology to lower diesel-powered car NOx emissions in order to help meet U.S. emissions standards. Mentioned as the spearhead of Audi’s American diesel lineup is the 3.0 TDI-powered Q7 SUV set to go on sale in 2008. A range of diesel-powered Audis is expected to follow.

No doubt about it, Los Angeles and convertibles go together like Britney and the paparazzi. Among the convertibles shown was the all-new TT Roadster. The two-seat TT is a traditional soft-top. Driven on stage by actress Molly Sims from the television show ‘Las Vegas’ and James Denton from ‘Desperate Housewives’.

In addition to the debut of the TT Roadster, L.A. also marked the first showing of the TT S-line. In this case, a captivating silver coupe sat on the floor of the Audi stand, complete with red leather and polished RS 4-style alloy wheels. A similarily equipped Q7 S-line sat parked nearby.

Considerably more exclusive than either the TT is Audi’s mid-engined R8. Based on the Audi Le Mans concept vehicle from 2003 and architecture from Lamborghini’s Gallardo chassis component set, the mid-engined two-seater uses a 420-horsepower naturally aspirated V8 and all-wheel-drive to shoot to 60 in 4.6 seconds.

The R8, along with a selection of other Audi models, was also exhibited at an evening event held by Audi on Rodeo drive. With live music and cocktails flowing, guests were able to get an up-close look at some of Audi’s latest and most exclusive models.

In many ways, the Los Angeles Auto Show has never been as significant as it now is on the automotive industry calendar. Like the L.A. event, Audi too has never carried so much weight as it now does in the industry. From the performance of the R8 and the style of the TT Roadster to environmentally concious technology such as TDI, Ingolstadt also proves Audi is no one-trick pony.

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cawimmer430

I'm not crazy about the new Audi TT, but it does look stunning in that color and those wheels.

I was also wondering why the Audi Q7 pictured above has "Bluetec" written on the license plate...then I read the article.

Osnabrueck

I attended the show last weekend and left a little bit miffed at Audi's booth.

Unlike BMW's booth, which allowed you to enter and explore every car from the new X5 to the M6, Audi and Mercedes decided to give the unwashed masses the cold shoulder by locking us out of their most interesting models.

In particular, I was eager to check out the cabin of the new TT, but instead had to peer through the window with a sad look on my face.

On the upside, I thought that the R8 looked amazing in the metal. The car gets everything done that I hoped that it would, and from what I could see, the interior is drop-dead amazing too. I think the only downside may be that the Lambo factor may curtail the R8's performance for political reasons, but damn if it isn't a sharp looking car.

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