LA MOTOR SHOW: Dozens of world debuts

The 2012 Los Angeles International Auto Show kicks off on November 28 (Thursday morning Australian time) and is shaping up to be one the biggest in its 105-year history.

Apart from 25 North American debuts, organisers are claiming two dozen global premieres, including highly anticipated vehicles such as Jaguar’s most powerful sedan ever, the XFR-S, Porsche’s second-generation Cayman coupe and a vital new RAV4 from Toyota.

Last year’s LA motor show attracted 17 global debuts (after staging 20 in 2010) and there are good reasons for car-makers to debut new metal in Los Angeles - several million reasons, actually.

LA is one of the largest cities in one the most lucrative car markets in the world, California, and this year the show is tipped to be one of the biggest yet, thanks to increased interest in new models as the US new-vehicle market continue to recover.

“The auto industry in North America is experiencing its best annual sales rates since 2008,” said the general manager of the LA motor show, Andy Fuzesi.

“And this positive growth can clearly be seen in the number of debuts, broad range of vehicles and transformative technologies on display at the show,” he said.

Toyota will be hoping to get a positive reaction when its all-new RAV 4 makes its debut in LA. Scheduled to reach Australian soil in early 2013, the new RAV will be charged with returning the mid-size SUV to the top of the sales in the face of stiff new rivals like Mazda’s CX-5 and a new Subaru Forester.

At the other end of the spectrum, Porsche has confirmed it will use LA to premiere a new 'compact sportscar' which is expected to be the new-generation Cayman. Like the third-generation Boxster on which it’s based, expect 2.7- and 3.4-litre boxer engines to provide top speeds of up to 280km/h when it arrives in Australia in the first quarter of 2013.

Jaguar's power play will be the XFR-S, a hard-edged super saloon designed to wipe the smile from the BMW M5's face with its supercharged V8 outputting 404kW/680Nm. Expected to make use of carbon-fibre bodywork like its XKR-S cousin, only 200 of the British pit bulls will be sold in the USA. Jaguar Australia has confirmed just one XFR-S will be winging its way to Oz.

Mercedes-Benz AMG has already revealed the venomous SLS AMG Black Series to stem any leaks ahead of the LA show, but the car will still make its official debut at the event, powered by a stonking 464kW/635Nm V8.

The Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force concept car is also expected to draw big crowds thanks to its outrageous design, which is expected to provide a preview of an eventual new-generation G-Class.

Organisers of the LA show have also confirmed the world debuts less extreme but no less important vehicles such as the Kia Cerato (badged Forte in the USA), Volkswagen Beetle Convertible and Honda Legend (aka Acura RLX).

The long-wheelbase version of the Hyundai Santa Fe will also make its debut, and the Korean car-maker is also expected to reveal a new Genesis concept.

The new Subaru Forester will be on display for the first time outside Japan, alsongside brand-new cars from Ford, Nissan, Jeep, Chrysler and Dodge – all of which are still keeping their reveals under wraps.

As well as being among the world's biggest consumers of high-performance and luxury cars, Californians also have an appetite for environmentally friendly vehicles, so it's no surprise there'll be many hybrids and electric cars on display.

General Motors will show its Holden Barina Spark-based Chevrolet Spark EV, which we've just driven in the USA but is unlikely for local release any time soon.

Fiat's new $45,000 compact electric car, the 500e, will also make its global debut in Los Angeles. The diminutive Italian is powered by a 75kW electric motor fed by a Lithium-Ion battery, but is not slated for local release at this stage.

BMW also has plans to reveal a new electric car at the show as part of its all-new 'i' series of electric/hybrid cars. The company is keeping a lid on the new model, but it’s expected to be a sporty two-door coupe version of the i3 hatchback.

The 2012 Los Angeles International Auto Show runs between November 28 and December 9, so stay tuned to motoring.com.au for all the news, images, glitz and glamour from the event.