Kiwi-s.com - L.A. Auto Show: Not a Rerun, Despite Writers' Strike

Not every "show" in Hollywood is on hold during the writers' strike. This week we'll see a large roll-out of world debuts at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show -- further proof that moving the show date to mid-November has greatly enhanced the event's influence on the show schedule.

Like most shows these days, the bulk of the World "debuts" in Los Angeles will have already been seen in some form prior to their unveilings. We've already done a full road test on the 2008 Ford Bullitt Mustang. We've driven (and are about to publish the First Drive) on the 2008 Toyota Sequoia. And the photos and specs for the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR are widely available.

However, despite these early releases, there remain several compelling unveilings in the next 72 hours.

I'm curious about the Hyundai Genesis Coupe concept, as it's the second model to use that brand's new rear-wheel-drive platform. If a rear-wheel-drive sedan from Hyundai is intriguing, a proper sport coupe is downright exciting. This brand is making rapid gains in the areas of quality, refinement, performance and overall respect from more the established players. This is an important next step.

The production version of the Honda's FCX fuel cell car is another interesting development. I still don't know where we're all supposed to go to fill up on hydrogen (though, ironically, there is a facility to do just that a few blocks from the Edmunds offices...), but it seems Honda isn't going to worry -- or wait -- for that problem to be solved. The FCX looks like the real deal, and with a Honda pedigree I have every reason to believe it's for real.

Then there's the new 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, which isn't going to be the most fuel-efficient example of hybrid technology in action, but it's certainly the most obvious. Those large "HYBRID" words down each side of this 'Slade will let every friend and neighbor know that you care about the planet...just as much as you care about 22-inch wheels and exterior chrome.

Finally, despite it's debut in Tokyo, I'm hoping to get a better look at the Nissan GT-R. The car was simply mobbed in Japan and it was impossible to get any quality time with the vehicle. I'll try to address that issue this week in Los Angeles, as I'm still not completely sure how I feel about that car's exterior styling...