By MARK RECHTIN | Automotive News


General Motors tapped its Austrailian subsidiary for the reborn Pontiac GTO.
LOS ANGELES - The normally laid-back Greater Los Angeles Auto Show will have a strong showing of world debut vehicles this year.

Among the heavy hitters are:


The second vehicle from Toyota's new Scion brand.


A rear-drive concept that shows the styling direction for the Chrysler group's next generation of full-sized cars.


Two vehicles designed to boost the Pontiac brand, the much anticipated 2004 Pontiac GTO and redesigned 2004 Grand Prix.

Scion is Toyota's youth brand, which will start with a lineup of two cars. The first car, the xB , is based on the boxy bbX that was introduced at the New York auto show this year. No details have been given about the second vehicle, the xA. The Scion brand will be launched in California in June.


WORLD DEBUTS
Production

2004 BMW 330i Sport
2004 BMW Z8 Alpina
2004 Cadillac XLR
2004 Mercedes C320 sport coupe
2004 Mercedes C320 sport sedan
2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2004 Pontiac GTO
2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
2004 Scion xA
2004 Scion xB

Concepts

Aston Martin DB AR1
Dodge Magnum
Ford Faction
Ford Thunderbird SC


General Motors will use the Los Angeles stage to debut a much hyped project, the Pontiac GTO that Vice Chairman Robert Lutz plucked from the lineup of Australian subsidiary Holden.

The GTO, which has been tweaked to meet U.S. regulations and given a Pontiac front end, is meant to grab the attention of rear-wheel-drive performance enthusiasts.

Based on the Holden Monaro, the GTO will be a low-volume vehicle, with GM importing about 20,000 annually. The U.S. version will come with a 300-plus-hp, 5.7-liter V-8 and a six-speed manual transmission.

Pontiac also will debut the 2004 Grand Prix, which has been re-engineered. In addition to extensive exterior and interior changes, the Grand Prix has engineering enhancements to improve body stiffness, ride, handling, steering and braking.

Cadillac will show the production version of the 2004 XLR roadster, a Mercedes-Benz SL500 fighter. Production begins in the spring.

The rear-drive roadster features a retractable hardtop and GM's redesigned Northstar engine, a 4.6-liter V-8 producing 315 hp at 6,400 rpm. A five-speed automatic transmission is in the rear of the vehicle.

The XLR has a hydroformed perimeter frame, structural center tunnel and aluminum cockpit frame. The body panels are made of a composite material.

The Magnum concept will show the new styling direction that will replace the cab forward look at Dodge and Chrysler. The style features flared wheel openings and a narrow greenhouse. The production version, which will carry a Mercedes-Benz 5-speed automatic transmission, will appear in spring 2004.

Mitsubishi will display the 2003 production version of a car likely to be called the Lancer Evolution. It is known as the Evo VIII outside North America. Packed with an estimated 280 hp, the car will compete against the Subaru WRX.

Italian coach builder Zagato has produced a roadster version of the Aston Martin DB7 Vantage Volante. Called the DB AR1, for American Roadster, the Aston Martin will feature lightweight bodywork and a 435-hp V-12 engine.

If enough Americans give it the thumbs up, Aston Martin will build a limited run in 2003.

Expanding its reach in the entry-luxury segment, Mercedes-Benz will show a 3.2-liter V-6 version of its C-class sport coupe. Sport models of the C320 sedan, featuring a manual transmission, improved suspension and firmer seats, also will be unveiled.

BMW will give the 330i a performance upgrade with a 235-hp engine, a six-speed manual transmission with shorter throws, a sport suspension, 18-inch wheels and several aggressive exterior treatments. BMW also will show its Alpina roadster, which goes on sale in April as a replacement for the Z8.

The Ford Faction concept has been an on-and-off affair, insiders say, because of the divisive nature of its design. At press time, a Ford spokesman said the concept will appear. A supercharged version of the Thunderbird also will be displayed.

Press days at the Los Angeles show are Thursday and Friday, Jan. 2 and 3. It is open to the public Jan. 4-12.

Automotive News Staff Reporter Dave Guilford and Product Editor Rick Kranz contributed to this report

 

no TSX?

 

i believe thats on tap for the Tokyo Show.......

i wonder if MB will make the C320 Coupe better looking than its fugly relative.

 

TSX made it's international appearance at the Tokyo Show. However, the north american introduction will take place at the Detriot Auto Show.

 

What do you mean? The Sports Coupe is out alread, only not with that (3.2 liter V6) engine. Am I thinking of the wrong car? These names are starting to get confusing by Mercedes.

 

What we saw at the Tokyo auto show was the Honda Accord. No TSX was shown there. After all, there is no Acura in Japan. The European/Japanese Honda Accord will be similar but I dont expect it to be identical to the new Acura car (which by the way might be called the EL still).

 

Gavrill: the pixs of the red coupe you posted is the C230 couple not the C320.

I'm always confused with the two, but the C230 is the RSX competitor.

The C320 looks like this:

 

I know. The denotation "sports coupe" is what makes the difference in the body though. The denotation "c" and the number "320 or 230" dont affect the body in this case. So the C320 Sports Coupe will be the above car I showed in the pic only with the 3.2 liter engine.

 

i dont think they'll make a C32o coupe. The CLK is the coupe based on the C-class chassis.

 

nope, they are making it c320 cpe, also the a class is coming

 

Ahhh so there dropping the 3.2 liter engine into the little 2 door C. Any ideas on the improved times?

Also has anyone else noticed that most people driving the C230 coupe are young girls? Hot young girls.

 

You know, the above proves that Mercedes has made the C class denotation so confusing that it's pathetic already and it is hurting them I think.

As far as times, I think that the C320 Sports Coupe should do 0-60 in around 6.9 secs.

 

What about the E55 AMG? That would be worth the price of admission.

 

my dad put a deposit on one today, he's something like 5th on the list. it comes out this spring apparently.

 

Suhweeeet. Post some pics when it arrives.