There was a time when dinosaurs roamed the earth and station wagons ruled the landscape. Back then, every kid dreamed of owning a low-profile, sleek exotic car. Over the decades, those exotics became aggressive looking supercars, and those evolved into fabled hypercars. Unfortunately, the cold, cruel reality set in, and those kids grew up and became the proud owners of SUVs, or the modern equivalent of moms’ people movers and cargo haulers, in other words, the station wagon for a new generation.
Article and images by John Grafman
The Los Angeles Auto Show touches on a variety of subject matter that connects with the local enthusiasts. Over the decades, the LA area has been a leader in trends, and autos are no exception. This is the reason that nearly every significant car company has a design studio in Southern California or leans on other companies for support that are located on the West Coast. Those design and fab houses include ADM Works, Aria-Group, Designworks, Hydra Design Labs, MTCcorp (aka Metalcrafters), Phiaro, TFX, and others.
At Automobility LA, the press day before the public opportunities, a number of dignitaries addressed numerous topics. For ages, the LAAS had a green theme, meaning environmentally friendly. The Secretary of Transportation for the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), Toks Omishakin, reminded those on hand that California will try to do what it can, regardless of the feds, to ensure the health and wellbeing of those in the state. And as we’ve seen before, California leads and leans in towards the future and often other states follow, while concurrently other states are in retrograde. Omishakin did emphasis in a soft-spoken manner that we didn’t want to slide backwards on the progress that’s been made in California over the years. While EVs might be an obvious solution, Omishakin intentionally used the term “ZEVs” to show the open-mindedness towards all types of zero emission forms of transportation.
Olympic Potential
In a little less than one thousand days, Los Angeles will play host to the 2028 Olympic Games. Honda is partnering with the games to provide the automotive support necessary. Both Jennifer Symington – Honda Assistant Vice President of Marketing, and Julia Kang – Vice President of Commercial Partnerships for LA28, explained the partnership. With Honda’s long involvement in this region, including the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, as well as the Honda R&D North America Design Studio, there a sense of community as well as one of commercial potential.
Sport Utility Vehicles are as ubiquitous as traffic on the local freeways. Honda is showcasing the Passport TrailSport HRC Concept that also was featured at the AGPLB. The model shows a more aggressive side to the familiar model. Similarly, other brands want to show designs that can handle the mean streets of LA.
One design that shows a decidedly tougher, bolder form comes via Rezvani Motors. The name of this creation is the Tank. Just the name alone hints at its character. The shape has a blocky, tough-enough feel that could be equal parts defensive and offensive in nature. One could also sense the same mindset was at hand in the development of the Hyundai Crater. Will the Crater leave a dent in the competition? Well, only time will tell. But there is a shared brashness in both products.
Power, Speed, and Handling Should Attract
Rivian still has its EV, offroad marketing angle and products that follow suit. The EV rivalry is heating up with the offerings from Lucid Motors. The Lucid Gravity is the second product under the design direction of VP Derek Jenkins. Expanding on that architecture is the new derivative – the Lucid Gravity Touring model. This twist blends in a street performance car with the size of a minivan, and the capable looks of an SUV. And the rear pillar allows fans to easily spot this as a Lucid model. The stated power, speed, and handling should attract those that aren’t as interested in getting into the dirt and can benefit from the more civil approach to commuting.
According to Lucid, the Touring model doesn’t compromise space over agility, performance over range, capability over sophistication, or practicality over electrification.
The new Lucid Gen 2 Powertrain includes an updated battery, drive unit, a charging system that’s NCAS compatible, and a thermal system. While the company does state this is offroad worthy, the numbers certainly lean in on being street savvy. Gravity Touring has 560 horsepower, good for 0-60 in four seconds. Four-wheel steering means a better turning radius at slow speeds and smoother lane changes at highway cruising speeds. The standard air suspension improves ride, handling, and allows added ground clearance when needed. Given this the model line-up is growing, it’s becoming evident that Lucid Motors is not a flash in the pan
The Public is Longing for Real Thrills
For those looking for an elevated sportscar ride and visual stimulation, the LAAS has several displays that indicate the public is longing for real thrills. Undoubtedly, the Corvette CX concept puts Chevrolet once again on the top of the dream car list. The design is sans-doors. The canopy, jet-fighter entry is another hint at the defense industry influence on civilian transportation.
The CX concept EV has a 90kW lithium-ion battery and boasts one motor per wheel and collectively produces 2,000 horsepower, and torque vectoring improves the handling. The Vacuum Fan Assist and Active Aero create massive downforce in a manner not dissimilar to the Can-Am cars from decades back. In essence, directing the airflow over and through the body allows the car to stick like glue to the track/road.
It’s hard to deny the appeal. Marek Djordjevic, Transportation Department Chair at ArtCenter put it sincerely, “I’m just thrilled to see the Corvette concept from California studio. Especially proud to know that the interior was designed by Ding Zeng, one of our recent graduates of exceptional talent.” In short, the heart and soul of this was born in California.
A Limited-Edition Sex-Bomb
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is a limited-edition sex-bomb! Like the Chevrolet Corvette CX, this uses the doors as a differentiator and dramatically proclaim this is not your typical performance car. The Alfa carries on the name and tradition that began in the sixties.
Flashing back, on display in the foyer is one of the classic supercars of all-time – the Porsche Carrera GT, shown in silver. Back in the day, the petrol-burning Carrera GT was one part racecar and one part dream-machine. A couple dozen feet away is a black 918 e-hybrid. The design is equally as compelling, yet this can get the job done with less impact on the world around us.
The LAAS is boldly going where no car shown has gone before – vertical. Transportation doesn’t have to be just horizontal, and as we step into the future, it’s clear we need to think differently to rectify congestion and emergency transport. On the civilian side, Pivotal eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) is allowing the public to get a taste of what the future has to offer, or at least as Pivotal is concerned. The Helix allows buyers to enjoy near immediate satisfaction, as this falls under the ultralight classification, and thereby owners won’t need a pilot’s license. Does that mean the skies will soon be packed with questionable airmen? With a starting price of roughly $190,000, the chances are the pricing should help alleviate the concern over flying unfriendly skies.
Step Into the Future – Think Differently
But wait, there’s more – outside at the Gilbert Lindsey Pavilion has several displays that don’t fit within the convention center walls. Canadian based Coulson Aviation provides the world’s largest contracted aerial firefighting fleet with capabilities to augment what California or other states require. The massive helicopter on display does offer a taste of where the state tax dollars go to.
Along with the great outdoors, we find numerous OEMs showing-off SUVs with roof racks and camping gear. Is this some cool bohemian trend that the car companies are jumping on, or is this following in the footsteps of the Pontiac Aztec? Perhaps the clinics and studies show all those wearing plaid really are venturing out to wooded destinations, or maybe this is just a marketing driven idea. Beyond a doubt, Subaru has been cultivating this segment of the population for years.
Both inside and out, Honda is proudly showing off race cars that embrace the need for speed. This includes the 1990 Lola T90-01 – Historic CART Series open wheel race car and a Honda IndyCar – display vehicle. Of course, one can also find the public debut of the 2026 Honda Pilot TrailSport.
Get Dirty, Wet, Hot, or Cold
And, on the subject of tracks, there are several within the halls that allow showgoers to get a thrill ride up and over metal hills. This allows the ticket buying public a chance to enjoy the sensation without the need to get dirty, wet, hot, or cold. On the other hand, if the rides in the 4X4s were outside, maybe the other displays could actually fit inside.
One of the anticipated new brands to hit the show is Scout. The company is steeped in off-roading tradition and ceased operations decades ago but has been resurrected. It too is located outside, which perhaps is appropriate considering the product. As much as the vehicles are ready for the elements, many attending the show would probably just a happy to check the models out without braving whatever mother nature throws at us.
Our feelings were shared by others. Marek Djordjevic mentioned, “I was happy to see Scout and their stand outside. That is interesting actually, that they’ve had the stand outside. Nice to see that in person. A lot of friends working on that team have really been doing a great job. [I] see the details and the thought that went into all the execution of a revival of a brand that had so much potential. And it’s rare to see an opportunity to bring back a brand as successfully as they’ve been.” Ideally, we embrace more car companies that have been in hibernation and then thawed out for a new generation of car buyers.
A Deeper Car Culture
Glancing across the convention center floor offers something for nearly everyone’s taste, just as it should be in one of the largest marketplaces in the country. Nevertheless, the majority fall into the category of ‘normal’. The field of cars is broad, but Southern California has a deeper car culture. It’s the offbeat halls at the LA Auto Show that satisfy the hunger for something outside of the norm. With a vast assortment of companies showing tantalizing goodies, more than a couple models can get lost in all of the visual noise. The quirkiness that captures the imagination of little kids and big kids can be located in the Showcase Hall / Petree Hall and the ‘The Underground’ / Kentia Hall. Galpin Motors has revived the aftermarket bb Porsche brand. On a raised platform with gold paint, this variation on the 911 owned by Dr. Alexander Everest is both a throwback to years gone by, as well as hint of future possibilities. Galpin Auto Sports (GAS) can fulfill the requests of customers in a more personal way than most OEMs can, and this is a fine example of exactly that.
Within the same hall space are tricked-out Porsche models from both Rezvani and Ruehle USA (made in Germany). These are emblematic of the California mindset that whatever can be made can also be made better!
Another name from the past has been reconstituted is Prelude. The last Honda using this moniker rolled off the assembly line in 2001. A full two dozen years later, this now embraces a modern powertrain, liftback styling, and most likely a good dose of sporty handling. Without a Civic or Accord coupe in the lineup, the 2026 Honda Prelude fills the void. While not bottom basement pricing, this is still in the realm of what’s affordable coming in at an estimated $38K.
It’s the City of LA
For those that haven’t been to the LA Auto Show in a few years will notice another change. Besides the cars, it’s the city of LA. Looking around, the convention center is sandwiched by gleaming skyscrapers that support massive, outdoor video screens. Coupled with a dark rainy sky, and a little imagination, this could double as a scene from the original 1982 Blade Runner movie.
Not only did Syd Mead – Visual Futurist, crafted conceptual illustrations for that film, but he also provided his interpretation of what Los Angeles might look like 25 years into the future. The cover illustration of the 1988 Los Angeles Times Magazine hinted at the world we see today. While not spot-on, Syd Mead did understand that growth was inevitable, and he likely thought if you can’t go horizontal, vertical is the next step.
Roger Servick, President of Syd Mead Incorporated said, “Syd Mead was asked why we don’t have flying cars today like we saw in Blade Runner, like we saw in a lot of different presentations of what the future was going to be like back in the 60s, and the 70s, and in the last century. He said it did come true, but in bits and pieces and in a lot of different ways that circumnavigated the need to have it come through the way they depicted it.”
If Syd Mead was Alive and With Us…
As the population expands, so does the number of cars on the freeways. To make matters worse, the federal government has now eliminated the use of single occupant EVs in the carpool lane. This was originally established as an added incentive to those purchasing EVs. As a result, we can only expect more land-based traffic in the other lanes on the freeway. Blade Runner also forecasted the use of flying personal transport now being emulated by eVTOL aircraft. If Syd Mead was alive and with us at the 2025 LA Auto Show, would he tell us the future has finally arrived… or is the future is now in the past?
Roger concludes, “It takes time to appreciate something, especially something if it’s radically different.” More often than not, this proves to be the case.
