The 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show ( Nov. 21-30 ) actually kicked off with media days this past Wednesday, Nov. 19. The show was overshadowed by the financial crisis in Detroit, and GM and Chrysler were noticeably absent from the press days. Ford was the sole domestic manufacturer to make our list and was almost lost in the slew of introductions from the import brands. Here are our top five introductions from gay-friendly brands at the LA Auto show ( in no particular order ) :
—2009 Nissan Cube: Nissan may be late to the party when it comes to boxes-on-wheels but its new 2010 Cube will still make a statement. Resembling a cool '50s refrigerator on wheels, the Cube will be powered by a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder mated to a CVT. While not as fast as some of its Nissan brethren, the 2010 Nissan Cube will deliver over 30 MPG on the highway and sports cool features and technology while getting you noticed wherever you go. The 2010 Nissan Cube goes on sale in early 2009.
—2010 Mazda3: The 2010 Mazda3 continues the winning formula first introduced by its predecessor, with more dramatic styling and a host of new options. The Mazda3 is a good-looking compact with a high-quality interior that is miles ahead of its competitors in the fun-to-drive department. Offering first-class features like bi-xenon adaptive lighting and three-position memory seating, Mazda stays with the winning formula of offering more for less in a small car. We were among the first to drive this vehicle the day before the show, and can report that the new Mazda3 is better than ever. It is quiet, comfortable and true to its 'Zoom, Zoom' heritage. A full review will follow soon.
—2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid: Ford was the sole domestic brand to launch a product at the show and came in with the newly designed Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan twins. The story is not only the well-received facelift but also the first time Ford has offered a hybrid version of a sedan. The newly updated hybrid system allows the Fusion/Milan hybrids to operate up to 47 MPH in electric-only mode, which aids in the delivery of up to 700 miles on a tank of gasoline in city driving. In addition to a Ford SYNC™ system with SIRIUS® TravelLink™, the Ford Fusion Hybrid features SmartGauge with EcoGuide—a user-friendly interactive feature to help coach the driver in more fuel-efficient driving habits. If you do well, a tree grows its leaves. Can you say cute? The 2010 Ford Fusion goes on sale in the spring of 2009.
—2010 Lexus RX: Lexus rolled out its new versions of the hot-selling crossovers, the RX350 and RX450h. Featuring an 'all-new' design that is clearly evolutionary, both versions are equipped with newly improved and more efficient 3.5-liter V6 engines. The RX350 gets a new rear suspension that lowers cargo height and improves cargo capacity by 5 percent. The RX450h's newest trick is regenerative braking on all four wheels of the AWD ( all-wheel-drive ) system. New interior 'cockpit' design enhances user experience via ergonomics and functionality. RX350 goes on sale February 2009, RX450h in the spring of the same year.
—2009 Nissan 370Z: The 2009 370Z is the next generation of the fabled Z lineup. Nissan calls the design 'Super Evolution' but I just call it 'Super Freaking COOL.' Featuring a 3.7-liter V6 engine with 332 horsepower and a MSRP starting around $30K, the 370Z really is an 'everyday sportscar'. The MPG is estimated to be 18/26 city/hwy for both the new 7-speed automatic and 6-speed manual transmissions. Its sale date is January 2009; a new 370Z Roadster will follow for the 2010 model year.
See www.Gaywheels.com .
