We Deliver the Reader’s Choice Car of the Year Awards at the LA Auto Show

We Deliver the Reader’s Choice Car of the Year Awards at the LA Auto Show
Scion iM Concept Video, First Look
Porsche Brings Back Sporty Cayenne GTS
Volkswagen Golf R 400 Video, First Look
Audi A7 h-tron Proves Hydrogen-Powered Cars Can Look Good
2016 Acura ILX Ditches 2.0L Engine, Adds 8-Speed Dual-Clutch Transmission

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Along with producing the best coverage of the LA Auto Show out there, the AutoGuide.com team made time to deliver the hardware from the annual Reader's Choice Car of the Year awards.

As chosen by you, Ford VP of U.S. Marketing, Sales & Service, John Felice (middle), was more than happy to accept not only the Reader's Choice Car of the Year award for the 2015 Mustang, but also the Reader's Choice Truck of the Year for the new F-150. AutoGuide Group Editorial Director Colum Wood (left) and AutoGuide.com Managing Editor Luke Vandezande (right) were on hand for the delivery.

The Reader's Choice Sports Car of the Year award went to the stunning new Jaguar F-Type Coupe, with Jaguar Land Rover North America marketing chief Kim McCullough accepting on the company's behalf.

Top Green Car honors went to the BMW i8 with Jacob Harb, Head of Electric Vehicle Sales and Strategy for BMW of North America and Jose Guerrero, Product Manager for BMW i. AutoGuide Group VP of Sales Andy Jacobson joined Wood for the hand-over.

Just 10 months on the job, Cadillac CMO Uwe Ellinghaus took delivery of the award for the Cadillac Escalade which was named the Reader's Choice Luxury Utility Vehicle of the Year.

Subaru of America PR boss Dominick Infante was pleased to accept the award for the Reader's Choice Utility Vehicle of the Year for the Subaru Outback.

Scion iM Concept Video, First Look

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Scion is previewing a new addition to its lineup with the iM Concept, revealed at the 2014 LA Auto Show.

This is one concept car that will reach production and is already set to arrive at dealerships next year. The iM is based on the Toyota Auris that is sold in other markets, but it will wear a different look here in North America.

2014 LA Auto Show Coverage

Details on what powers the car were not revealed, though Toyota did say the concept features an adjustable-height suspension and rides on big 19-inch wheels. The final version of the car is likely to debut at the 2015 New York Auto Show with a price tag of less than $20,000.

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  GALLERY: Scion iM Concept Live Photos
  
  GALLERY: Scion iM Concept
  
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Porsche Brings Back Sporty Cayenne GTS

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In the grand hierarchy of the Porsche naming structure, GTS signifies the sportiest models, even for SUVs.

Not always the fastest version, the name GTS adorns cars and SUVs that give the driver the rawest, most rewarding driving experience. Returning to the Cayenne model line-up this year is the Cayenne GTS. Unlike the previous generation's model, power does not come from a V8 anymore. It's replaced by a 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged V6 twin-turbo engine similar to the one found in the Cayenne S. But, power has been pumped up 20 hp to a total of 440 hp and torque rises by 62 ft.-lbs. to 445 ft.-lbs.

Complete 2014 LA Auto Show Coverage

This is good enough for the big Cayenne to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 5.2 seconds, while a sport exhaust system ensures everyone around knows this is a seriously sporty SUV.

But a GTS model is about more than just engine power, it also needs to handle well. The Cayenne GTS sits 20 millimeters lower with revised suspension tuning and features the larger brakes found on the Cayenne Turbo.

The Cayenne GTS should be recognizable from the outside thanks to a front fascia borrowed from the turbo model combined with more contoured rocker panels and wheel arch extensions. To offset the looks of the GTS, all badging, the 20-inch wheels, the exhaust tailpipes, the headlights and the trim surrounding the rear taillights are all black. Inside are eight-way powered GTS sports seats along with various GTS badging.

Pricing for the Cayenne GTS will come in at $95,500 including destination charges.

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  GALLERY: 2015 Porsche Cayenne GTS Live Photos
  
  GALLERY: 2015 Porsche Cayenne GTS
  
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Volkswagen Golf R 400 Video, First Look

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Packing nearly 400 horsepower, the Golf R 400 is the most extreme Golf ever built, and it made its debut here at the 2014 LA Auto Show

But don't get too excited, VW fans, the Golf R 400 isn't yet scheduled for production. But if it was, buyers would get to experience 394-hp from a turbo-four cylinder engine, that sends this all-wheel drive hatchback to 62 miles per hour in just 3.9 seconds.

Complete 2014 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

Last seen at the Beijing Motor Show the Golf R 400 Concept looks like a futuristic Golf R with cool lemon-yellow accents and carbon-fiber trim. Inside the car gets sporty bucket seats and additional carbon-fiber accents. Check out the video for more details.

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  GALLERY: Volkswagen Golf R 400 Live Photos
  
  GALLERY: Volkswagen Golf R 400
  
  Discuss this story at our Volkswagen GTI forum

Audi A7 h-tron Proves Hydrogen-Powered Cars Can Look Good

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Hydrogen fuel cell cars have been the talk of the LA Auto Show and Audi has arguably the best looking one at the show.

The A7 Sportback h-tron demonstrator has been put together to show off Audi's capability when it comes to hydrogen fuel cell cars. Estimated range sits at 310 miles on hydrogen alone, while total output is 170 kilowatts. The front wheels are powered by the fuel cell while the rears are driven by a plug-in hybrid battery and electric motor, which means the car has full electronic management of torque distribution as there is no mechanical link between the front and rear wheels.

2014 LA Auto Show Coverage

When the rear-end hybrid system is fully charged (which takes between two and four hours), it adds roughly 31 miles of range on its own, taking the total for the car up to 341 miles. Audi says that car only uses 2.2 pounds of hydrogen to cover 62.1 miles, which is the equivalent of a whopping 63.5 mpg if the A7 ran on gasoline, all while emitting nothing more than water.

"The h-tron concept car shows that we have also mastered fuel cell technology," said Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, head of development at Audi. "We are in a position to launch the production process as soon as the market and infrastructure are ready."

The h-tron tips the scales at 4,299 pounds, can sprint to 62 mph in 7.9 seconds and has a top speed of 111 mph. Audi calls this car a "sound option for sustainable mobility with no emissions."

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2016 Acura ILX Ditches 2.0L Engine, Adds 8-Speed Dual-Clutch Transmission

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Acura is looking to spice up its entry level luxury offering by launching the 2016 ILX with more features, high tech options and sensible packaging in terms of engines and transmissions.

With the debut of the new ILX, Acura announced that the car will come standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 201 HP and 180 lb-ft of torque. That engine is paired to an eight-speed dual clutch transmission. Similar to the Acura TLX the transmission also features a torque converter in order to deliver smoother launches off the line.

That alone is a pretty significant upgrade to the ILX, but Acura is also upping the amount of trim levels to six, compared to the previous three. Standard equipment includes the signature JewelEye LED headlights and interior enhancements like contrasting stitched leather and a high-intensity silver trim for the passenger-side instrument panel.

Complete 2014 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

There's also an A-SPEC package that can be combined with Premium and Technology packages to enhance the value offering of the ILX. A-SPEC trimmed cars feature sportier styling inside and out including side sill garnishes, a trunk spoiler, front fog lights and new 18-inch alloy wheels with gloss black inserts. A-SPEC models also get a sportier looking interior with black headliner, perforated black Lux Suede seat inserts, red instrument illumination, exclusive gray interior stitching and aluminum pedals.

Also available is a premium package that gets power seats, homelink remote and a two-screen infotainment system. There's also an available AcuraLink navigation system that utilizes your smartphone's data connection to provide mapping information. Tech Plus packages add an embedded navigation system, as well as an enhanced sound system. Finally, buyers can choose to get the AcuraWatch safety suite of options, which adds adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, a rear camera, lane departure mitigation and a collision mitigation system.

Finally when it comes to the chassis, Acura has applied additional sound-deadening to keep the cabin quiet. Additionally, the car gets a retuned suspension and steering setup in order to enhance handling feel.

When Acura said the car was getting a significant update, they weren't kidding. The new transmission and engine is good enough to make the Acura ILX worth considering in its segment, but the additional luxury and tech features are just icing on the cake. Look for it to hit dealers early next year.