While all eyes were on the Paris Motor Show this week, the 50th Anniversary Orange Country International Auto Show kicked off the auto show season in the states. More than 500 new model vehicles were on display, as well as, exotics, and many alternative fuel vehicles. A number of notable vehicles on display were either built or debuted locally in California. The show takes place across from Disneyland in Anaheim Convention Center, California. Show dates October 1st through October 5th.
As usual, the show starts with large Ford and Chevrolet exhibits. Center stage at Chevrolet was the 2015 Corvette Stingray Z51 both coupe and convertible. The Z51 has a new optional eight-speed automatic paddle-shift transmission, body-colored spoiler, and silver alloy wheels. The refreshed 2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 was also on display.
In the round at Ford exhibit was the 2015 Ford Mustang GT with its 435 hp 5-liter V8 engine paying homage to 50 years of pony cars. As you may recall, this car debuted last December at the famous Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California. The 2014 Ford Focus Electric five-door hatchback provides 80 miles of range. The Focus Electric 143 hp electric motor has 30 hp more than the Nissan LEAF’s 110 hp motor. Also, the 2015 Ford F-150 with its all-aluminum construction was 700 pounds lighter and remote opening tailgate. By the way, the Ford girls were the most knowledgeable on their cars at the show.
2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat was showing off its super charged 6.2L HEMI V8 engine that produces 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. Incredible output for a four-door family sedan. Latest measures hit 0 to 60 mph in 2.0 seconds. Also on Chrysler group display the 2015 Dodge Viper SRT, 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, and 2015 Chrysler 200S.
Toyota Sienna Remix a custom build by famous local California designers West Coast Customs. The van, a custom mobile DJ booth, which normally carries 8 passengers instead, was filled with 28 speakers, 5 high powered amps, 32 band equalizers, and two 40-inch LCD TVs that pop out of the roof.
At the Fiat exhibit, the new 500L Vans Concept that debuted in July at Vans U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, California was on display. At first glance, I noticed the four glowing running lights and many accessories. The 500L Concept carries two-tone paint, on the roof Van’s checkerboard pattern and above that a surfboard carrier.
The emission free Hyundai Tucson FC (Fuel Cell) CUV will be available in California for a 3-year lease, which includes free fuel. Limited to a 1000 units through 2016.
Kia’s new concept vehicle was on display the Kia GT4 Stinger a rear-wheel 2+2 sport car with the latest version of Kia’s awesome signature “Tiger Nose” grille. The GT4 Stinger concept debuted early this year at 2014 Detroit Auto Show. The car carries a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline direct injected four-cylinder engine with 315 horsepower, a six-speed manual transmission, and 275/35R-20 Pirelli P-Zero performance tires.
In the round at the Lincoln booth was the 2015 Lincoln MKC. You may have recently seen the MKC in commercial with Matthew McConaughey. The new crossover is based on the Ford Escape platform, this luxury version would be hard to mistake with elegant styling and standard xenox headlights. Also shares Escape’s 2.0-liter 240-hp engine, six-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel drive.
Land Rover displayed the 2015 Range Rover Sport SVR, the most powerful Range Rover Sport yet. The vehicle debuted earlier this year at California’s classic-car show Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegence. The Sport SVR supercharged V8 cranks out 550 horsepower and goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Price starts at $111,400 including a destination charge.
Jaguar exhibit showed the 2015 XK Final Fifty Convertible, one of the final 50 U.S. bound XKR’s. The last 50 models produced exclusively to the U.S. All XK Final Fifty cars are identical – Ultimate Black with Ivory interior – with a model split of 25 coupes (priced at $107,500) and 25 convertibles (priced at $113,500).
In the Volkswagen Group area, the 2015 Audi RS7 has 560 hp V8, eight-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, lowered suspension, 174 mph top speed, and a hefty $130,125 price tag. The 2015 Audi S5 Coupe showing updated angular headlights, grille, aggressive front fascia, and a lesser price tag. Visually similar to the gasoline VW Golf, the 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf has a 115 hp electric motor and lithium-ion battery given the e-Golf 70 to 90 mile range depending on driving and regenerative braking settings. The VW e-Golf is available in California and 10 other markets.
The 2015 Infiniti Q70L is new this year with its extended wheelbase provides an extra 5.9 inches of legroom and 32 inches of knee room, rear auto-closing doors, and heated rear seats, you can transport your VIPs in luxury.
The high-performance version of Mercedes four-door coupe is the 2015 CLS 63 AMG that has a new 5.5-liter Biturbo V8 engine with 557 hp. The Mercedes CLS 63 AMG can go 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. Also similar engine upgrades in the new 2015 Mercedes SL 63 AMG convertible.
The 2015 Nissan Murano west coast debuted featuring “V-Motion” nose, boomerang-shaped LED lights, and a roof that appears to be “floating”. The new Murano has a more sculpted exterior, advanced technology, and more premium interior.
The 2015 BMW i8 plug-in hybrid made a showing. The BMW i8 has a gasoline 3-cylinder engine and two electric motors for net output of 362 hp.
Toyota FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) was on display. The 2015 Toyota FCV uses an electric motor with electricity generated from a fuel cell, which harnesses electricity from the reaction of combining hydrogen and oxygen. The only waste byproduct of this reaction is water from the tailpipe. The FCV is said to go 300 miles on its two tanks of hydrogen gas, which takes 3 to 5 minutes to fill. However, to date only nine hydrogen fill stations exist in California.
