Motor Driven Images

Motor Driven Images

Maserati | Convertible - Sedan - SUV. The Orange County International Auto Show heralds itself as the first auto show of the season. Though technically true, the manufacturers generally hold off new model presentations and concepts for major shows like Detroit, Chicago, and Los Angeles which closely follows in November. What was seen at the Orange County International Auto Show last week were models currently in production for the 2017 model year as well as those limited production cars that premiered this year at other shows. If you are looking for exotic cars this is the venue for you. At Los Angeles you will see more exotics in the parking structure than on the floor at the show. Hopefully this will change this year with that shows new name and emphasis. All the major brands were there, including professional grade utility trucks by Ford, Ram, and Toyota. The original Fiat 124 Spider was produced between 1967-1985. This new Fiat 124 Spider using the Mazda Miata chassis still carries over much of the timeless lines from that first model.

Currently available as two models, the Classico and Lusso, it will be joined by an Abarth model and possibly others. The 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Lusso. The Classico has cloth seats, 16-inch wheels and a body color surround on the windshield. The Lusso is upgraded with a leather appointed interior, standard seat heaters, 7-inch screen, 17-inch wheels and a silver colored windshield surround. Power for both models is supplied from an Italian designed and produced 1.4 Liter SOHC unit mated to the standard Miata transmission that has been reprogrammed. The original 124 was the Fiat sales leader in the U.S. Time will tell if this one is as popular at a time when open-top sports cars appear to be loosing popularity. Mazda brought their new fourth generation Launch Edition MX-5 RF hardtop convertible. The MX-5 RF with its elegant coupe styling has a personality all its own. The retractable hardtop disappears in about 12 seconds with the push of a button and the design ensures that trunk space remains essentially the same as in the MX-5 roadster.

The 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF Launch Edition. There are a lot of individuals that would love to own a true sports car but do not like the inconvenience and noise of a soft-top. This car is aimed at that sector of the population. In the past they needed to go upmarket to Mercedes or BMW in order to get the same qualities as seen here. An interested individual talking with the PR lady at the Mazda exhibit for their Mazda MX-5 RF Launch Edition. Getting back to where the general public will be looking and buying, the Honda Clarity is a new model in the Honda line-up. It will eventually be available in three drivetrains; electric, fuel-cell, and plug-in hybrid. Seen in Anaheim was the fuel-cell model. The 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel-Cell model on display at the Orange County International Auto Show. The Clarity Fuel Cell, the first version to launch, is powered by electricity generated by an onboard fuel cell fed by compressed hydrogen. This is now the second automobile to be produced using this technology, the Toyota Mirai being the first. Time will tell if this technology will be readily accepted by the public.

If it is not, at least Honda will have the two other drivetrains available. The 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel-Cell model on display at the Orange County International Auto Show. The Toyota Prius Prime may be the new hybrid efficiency champion on the road. With a tested 133 MPGe it beats the industry leading BMW i3. The Prius has always been popular in California and this newer slightly more upscale model will certainly find a home in many garages. 2017 Toyota Prius Prime. 2017 Toyota Prius Prime. Moving on to a more upscale automobile, Lexus showcased their LC500h. When released in 2018 this model is thought to be targeted against the BMW i8. The Lexus LC500h coupe is powered by a new hybrid system dubbed "Multi Stage Hybrid System". 2018 Lexus LC500h as seen on the Lexus display stand. The system has been designed to provide a more sporty driving experience.

It features a 3.5 Liter V-6 engine combined with a powerful electric motor backed by a 44.6 kW lithium ion battery pack. The gasoline engine produces 295 hp and 257 lb-ft of torque. The electric motor steps in to take power to 354 hp. This is coupled to the new longitudinal hybrid transmission which includes a CVT that incorporates two electric motors, similar in concept to the Hybrid Synergy Drive used in their Prius, and adds a conventional four-speed automatic transmission to the mix. Lexus says the LC500h will feel like a lot of hybrids with only a conventional CVT when driven in the Normal or Eco modes. Other premium sports cars being showcased by their manufacturers were the Acura NSX, Mercedes-AMG C63S, and the Audi R8 V10 Plus. 2017 Acura NSX on display at the OC Auto Show. The 2017 Audi R8 V10 plus looked stunning in Gotland Green. It seems like many of the ultra-luxury manufacturers are producing an SUV. Maserati has jumped into the market with their Levante and Levante S models. The Levante is powered by a Ferrari built 345 hp 3.0 liter, twin-turbocharger V6 engine.