LA show: Thirty world debuts set for 2014 show

THE Los Angeles Auto Show has confirmed 60 cars will be revealed at the November event with 30 world debuts, with luxury and performance models set to account for more than 63 per cent of the premiers.

Audi is planning a spectacular presence at the show with up to eight North American and three world debuts presented by chairman of the board Rupert Stadler, but the company is yet to confirm what they will be.

British motoring publication AutoCar is reporting that Audi will rip the covers off a four-door coupe concept, dubbed A9, that will serve as the luxury car-maker’s new passenger flagship and preview its next-generation design language that will flow down to all Audi models.

German rival Mercedes-Benz will also have three cars making their world debuts, with the revived S-Class-based Maybach luxury limo likely to be one of them.

Joining the stand fresh from premiers in Paris will be the new C63 AMG and Mercedes-AMG GT performance cars.

Porsche, too, will have several world debuts in Los Angeles with one of them tipped to be the 2015 911 Porsche Carrera GTS.

A fifth of the global debuts this year will be SUVs and BMW’s twin-turbo V8-powered sports coupe crossover X6 M and the more practical X5 M will be among them.

Of course Mazda’s new generation MX-5 will be in LA, but the Japanese car-maker is planning to reveal three other cars to the world, which for now remain secret.

One is almost certain to be the facelifted CX-5 SUV, but it is also promising an all-new vehicle at the Californian auto expo.

Making their North American debuts will be convertible versions of the BMW 228i and M235i, Land Rover’s 2015 Discovery Sport crossover, Mini’s 5 Door and Superleggera Vision concept, the new Kia Sorento and facelifted Rio, Mitsubishi’s XR-PHEV and Volvo’s all-new XC90 SUV.

Representing the American brands, Chevrolet will debut two models, while Cadillac will use LA to reveal its high-performance version of the 2015 ATS-V.

As previously reported, Chrysler will unveil its updated 300 large sedan with a redesigned grille and headlights.