Top Picks: 2014 LA Auto Show Highlights

Questionable Parenting Award – Hellcat Charger (honourable mention ATS-V Sedan)

Dodge had all its Hellcats in a row, squaring them off against a Viper and B5 blue 392 Charger. Even though it’s not brand-new news any more, the Hellcat Charger still attracted plenty of attention. With those kid-friendly back seats, it’s Questionable Parenting Magazine’s runaway favourite.

Of course, if you want to lap the Nürburgring with your kids strapped in the back (definitely not recommended), then the 445 hp ATS-V Sedan has you covered. Plus you can teach them to drive stick. Nothing could possibly go wrong. Surely.

Best Luxury – Mercedes-Maybach 600

Mercedes is having another go at the whole Maybach thing, but this time it’s being a little clever. Much like the Pullman of the past, the Mercedes-Maybach is merely an enhancement of a fine automobile. It’s an S-class with more, and everybody knows what that means.

The twin-turbo 6.0L V-12 makes 523 hp and 612 lb-ft of torque, but that’s hardly the point. This car is all about its quilted leather interior, its whisper-quiet cocoon of a cabin, and the branded champagne glasses. Quick, what’s German for Grey Poupon?

Best Supercar/exotic – F-Type R-Coupe All-Wheel-Drive

We’re stretching the meaning of exotic here, but really, with a McLaren P1 in the basement riding on Dubs, perhaps a vehicle with some taste and refinement needs to take centre stage. Badly.

The all-wheel-drive version of the mighty supercharged V8 F-type Coupe is still as beautiful as ever, but now it’s something of a snow-cat. All-wheel-drive grip makes this Jaguar part Lynx, and it still looks and sounds as stunning as ever.

Mercedes-Maybach S 600, Jaguar F-Type R-Coupe, Galpin Auto Sports Peel P50. Click image to enlarge

Best Truck – Colorado ZR2 Concept

California is the home of the compact truck, and has been so ever since that first ex-serviceman tracked down that first imported Datsun pickup and demanded to buy it. It’s the land of the Tacoma and the Frontier, but Chevy hopes to change that with their mid-sized offering.

The off-road ready ZR2 looks great, and with beefy tires, a heavy-duty suspension, and a 181 hp, 369 lb-ft of torque four-cylinder diesel, it’s ready to hit the rough stuff. Plus if you get stuck – it has a built in on-board winch. It all looks great, and we’ll see this mighty-mite engine in the 2016 model year.

Theme of the Show – Rise of the Compact Crossovers

Luxury manufacturers have been heralding the compact crossover segment as hot stuff for a while. Well, here come the mainstream brands. Honda’s HR-V makes the practical argument. Mazda’s CX-3 promises fun.

If we’re honest, it’s the Mazda we’re most excited about driving, but the HR-V’s clever folding seats should make it a boon companion for adventures as well.

Most Unlikely Hero – Galpin Auto Sports Peel P50

Galpin Auto Sports has been customizing cars since the 1940s. They’ve got a gorgeous GT40 here, and have formed a partnership with Henrik Fisker to build a modern 700 hp+ Mustang. But in the basement of the LA auto show, we found two more plucky machines.

Namely a Peel P50, and a Ford Pinto, all decked out in racing livery and ready to run. For a while, the Peel was a contender for best-in-show: how could you say no to that cute little mug?

Toyota Spongebob Squarepants Sienna , Kia Ballast Point Sedona. Click image to enlarge

Best Minivan – Kia Ballast Point dispenser (honourable mention Spongebob Sienna)

Parenting is hard. That’s why beer was invented.

Kia seems to realize this, and brought along a Kia Sedona set up with taps dispensing the sweet, sweet golden nectar that is Ballast Point’s fine craft beers. The Sculpin IPA was particularly good.

For parents with a sense of humour, who drives in a Toyota under the sea? That’s right, Spongebob Sliding Doors. This Sienna mocked up to look like everyone’s favourite anthropomorphic sea-sponge was so bizarre it actually worked.