SUVs are main attraction at LA Auto Show

Hyundai and Nissan are debuting new small SUVs at the Los Angeles Auto Show, while Subaru takes the wraps off its new three-row SUV, the Ascent. Jeep shows a new version of its rough-and-tumble Wrangler, while Infiniti, Lexus, Lincoln and Porsche debut more refined models.Land Rover debuts its first-ever plug-in gas-electric hybrid, while Volkswagen show its upcoming family of electric vehicles. Porsche also has a plug-in hybrid.The L.A. show also has plenty of eco-friendly models in a nod to California buyers, who purchase a higher percentage of hybrids and electrics than the U.S. as a whole thanks to state tax credits and other incentives.Here are some of the vehicles being unveiled at the show, which opened to the public on Friday:Nissan KicksSUVs of all sizes are so popular these days that Nissan is introducing its sixth entry in the U.S. The compact Kicks is even smaller than the hot-selling Rogue and Rogue Sport. The sculpted Kicks will start at under U$19000 and comes standard with automatic emergency braking as well as a 1.6-liter, 125 horsepower four-cylinder engine.It's also got a continuously variable transmission that lets the engine operate at the most efficient speed possible. It's supposed to have ample rear-seat legroom despite its coupe-like sloping roof. More specific pricing will be announced closer to when the Kicks goes on sale in the spring.Hyundai KonaThe Kona will be Hyundai's first subcompact SUV in the U.S. market, competing against the Honda HR-V, Chevrolet Trax and other small rivals. Eye-popping colour options like lime and bright turquoise will help it stand out from that crowd. The Kona sits low and wide and shares Hyundai's new "cascading" mesh grille, which debuted on the 2018 Sonata.There are two engine options: a 2.0-liter, 147-horsepower four-cylinder mated to a six-speed transmission or a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder that puts of 175 horsepower and is paired with a seven-speed transmission. An all-wheel-drive system is optional. Optional safety features include a forward-collision avoidance system with pedestrian detection. The Kona goes on sale in the first quarter of 2018.Mercedes CLSMercedes debuts the third generation of its CLS four-door coupe. The fastback roof and minimalist styling remain, but there are two major changes: For the first time, the CLS will seat five and it's also a mild hybrid. An electric motor works in tandem with the new six-cylinder engine, boosting acceleration.Mercedes says the engine puts out 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque alone and gains an additional 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque with the motor. Inside, there's a system that adjusts the seats, massagers, music, lighting, climate control and even adds a touch of fragrance based on six moods a driver can choose, including "Joy" and "Comfort." The CLS goes on sale next fall. Pricing wasn't released, but the current CLS starts at U$75 150.Range Rover P400eJaguar Land Rover has promised to offer an electric or hybrid powertrain option in each of its vehicles starting in 2020. Among the first will be the 2019 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. Plug-in hybrid versions of both vehicles are making their debut at the L.A. Auto Show. The Range Rover P400e and Range Rover Sport P400e have a 296-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine combined with a 114-horsepower electric motor.They can drive up to 31 miles in pure electric mode at speeds of up to 85 miles per hour. Drivers can plug a destination into the navigation system and the Rover will calculate the optimal mix of motor and engine power to maximize fuel economy. The Range Rover Sport P400e starts at U$78 300, while the Range Rover P400e starts at U$95 150. Both go on sale next summer.Audi A8The biggest news with Audi's revamped A8 large luxury sedan is that it can nearly drive itself at slower speeds on some divided highways. The German brand's flagship car, when equipped with a traffic jam pilot, has 24 radar, camera and laser sensors connected to a computer that can take charge of steering, acceleration and braking at up to 37 miles per hour on freeways with barriers dividing the directional traffic. That means the driver doesn't have to touch the steering wheel in traffic jams until manual control is required again.The A8 gets a new 340-horsepower, 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine with a gas-electric hybrid system that helps it accelerate for better fuel economy and also powers all of its advanced features. The 2019 A8 has an eight-speed automatic transmission. Price wasn't released, and it won't be available until late next year.Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 ConvertibleThe fastest, most powerful version of General Motors Co.'s Chevrolet Corvette gets its first drop-top in nearly a half-century. Chevrolet says the convertible won't hurt the 755-horsepower car's performance much. The only changes for the convertible are the structure for the car's folding top and repositioned seat belt mounts. The 2019 ZR1 made its debut in Dubai in November. The ZR1 last had a convertible in its original model year in 1970. The coupe starts at U$119 995 including shipping, while the convertible starts at U$123 995. They'll hit showrooms this spring.Infiniti QX50Infiniti's midsize, five-seat SUV gets a complete overhaul, starting with a rigid but lightweight new underbody made from high-strength steel. The 2019 QX50 sits up higher than the outgoing model and has a beefier, more confident look. Under the hood is what Infiniti says is the world's first production-ready variable compression ratio engine.The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder automatically adjusts the pistons' performance to optimize power or fuel efficiency. Infiniti says the engine delivers 268 horsepower and 27 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving, a 35 percent improvement in fuel efficiency over the outgoing QX50. The new QX50 also boasts Infiniti's ProPilot driver assistance system that can automatically control braking and speed and keep the SUV within its lane. The QX50 goes on sale in the first quarter of 2018.Subaru AscentKnown for its small all-wheel-drive cars and SUVs, Subaru enters the big people-hauler market with the new Ascent. It's got three rows of seats and can carry as many as eight people. Built in Lafayette, Indiana, the Ascent will be sold only in North America to satisfy its thirst for bigger vehicles. The all-wheel-drive Ascent is powered by a new 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Second-row captain's chairs are optional on some versions. The price wasn't released, but the Ascent will go on sale next summer. – Nampa/AP

SUVs are main attraction at LA Auto Show

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