LA Auto Show: Honda, Subaru, Toyota among 12 carmakers in new green technology showcase

The Los Angeles Auto Show for several years has been at the forefront of the automotive industry’s green car technology. The selection of the Green Car of the Year is a highlight of the year’s first major car show.

But this year, under a new category, approximately 25 vehicles from a dozen manufacturers will participate in the Green and Advanced Technology Ride & Drive.

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The program will offer a preview and media test drive sessions of the latest in-car innovations and fuel-efficient vehicles.

The participating vehicles will represent the latest evolutions of electric, hybrid, clean diesel and fuel cell. The latest driver assist platforms featured will include front crash mitigation, adaptive cruise control, radar-based object detection systems, blind spot monitoring and more.

Participating vehicles will include:

Acura ILX Hybrid, featuring a 1.5 liter four-cylinder hybrid gasoline engine complemented by an electric motor.

Chevrolet Volt, the top-selling plug-in electric vehicle in the U.S., which also features a range-extending internal combustion engine.

Fiat 500e, the 100 percent electric version of the recently re-introduced micro-car classic equipped with a 100 hp equivalent electric motor.

Fisker Karma, the first luxury EV, featuring an electric motor delivering 959 ft. lbs. of torque paired with a range-extending four-cylinder engine.

Honda will show multiple vehicles including the all-new, more upscale and premium 2013 Civic sedan; Fit EV, the all-electric battery version of the Fit subcompact which achieves 118 MPGe; the all-new, completely redesigned Accord with LaneWatch lane assist technology, Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW); and the Accord Plug-in Hybrid, a PHEV version of the popular Accord model that targets 110 MPGe.

Mercedes-Benz GL 350 BlueTec, a clean diesel SUV also equipped with Collision Prevention Assist, radar-based active controls for avoiding accidents.
Mitsubishi i-MiEV, an all-electric subcompact hatchback that has earned 112 MPGe rating.

Nissan Leaf, a 100 percent electric vehicle that also features the Carwings smartphone app to activate controls including remote activation of battery charging and climate controls.

Smart EV all-electric micro-car, which has received a 50 percent power boost with improved Li-ion battery technology.

Subaru Outback with Eyesight, which uses a dash-mounted camera to deliver driver assist features such as adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning.

Toyota will feature four vehicles including its all-electric RAV4, a groundbreaking electric vehicle at 76 MPGe that is the result of a collaboration with Tesla Motors; the new 40 MPG Avalon hybrid featuring a 2.5 liter four-cylinder internal combustion engine paired with two electric motors; the Prius Plug-in, a next-generation hybrid that allows all-electric driving at speeds up to 60 mph and advanced safety technology including a Pre-Collision System; and the FCHV-adv, a fuel cell hybrid concept vehicle demonstrating breakthrough hydrogen cell technology that can take a vehicle over 500 miles on a single fill-up.

Volkswagen’s latest, including the new 2013 Jetta Hybrid featuring a turbocharged 1.4 liter four-cylinder engine paired with a 27 hp electric motor and an “electric-only” mode; the torquey clean diesel 2013 Beetle TDI equipped with a 2.0 liter turbo-diesel engine, and demonstrating one of the latest biofuel advancements, Volkswagen Passat TDI powered by Solazyme renewable diesel.

The innovative new green vehicles won’t be available for public test drives, but they will be on display during the LA Auto Show public show, Nov. 30-Dec. 9 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

For more information, visit: www.laautoshow.com.