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Podcasts Take Two
The Wheel Thing: Brits, Italians dominate LA Auto Show
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Nov 19, 2015
Listen • 8:04
The Wheel Thing: Brits, Italians dominate LA Auto Show
A hot and sexy sedan from Alfa Romeo, and a Jag that won't bust your budget - two cars getting lots of love at this year's LA Auto Show.
Alfa Romeo's new Giulia is on display during the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Alfa Romeo's new Giulia is on display during the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Jaguar's F-PACE crossover is on display during the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Jaguar's F-PACE crossover is on display during the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Alfa Romeo's new Giulia is on display during the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Alfa Romeo's new Giulia is on display during the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Mercedes' SL550 is on display during the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Mercedes' SL550 is on display during the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
The Range Rover Evoke, a convertible SUV, is on display during the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
The Range Rover Evoke, a convertible SUV, is on display during the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Infiniti's new QX30 is on display during the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Infiniti's new QX30 is on display during the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
The Range Rover Evoke, a convertible SUV, is on display during the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
The Range Rover Evoke, a convertible SUV, is on display during the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)

A hot and sexy sedan from Alfa Romeo, and a Jag that won't bust your budget - two cars getting lots of love at this year's LA Auto Show.

Among the thousands of cars on display at the LA Auto Show, what's turning the most heads? A bright red Alfa Romeo Guilia.

With an engine from Ferrari housed in the body of a sports sedan, it's undeniably sexy, even if our motor critic, Susan Carpenter, doesn't really care for the grill. The Guilia is a BMW M3 killer with a twin turbocharged V6 that blows out 505 horsepower.

While the Guilia starts at somewhere around $70k, Jaguar is showing an entry level model that goes for half that. The XE is clearly an attempt by the storied British marque to appeal to younger drivers who are looking for some class and luxury.

Meanwhile, Range Rover debuts a topless SUV. The Evoque offers the size and heft of a traditional Range Rover, and opens it up to the sky. Carpenter found it a little "boat-like" but predicts Southern Californians with disposable income will be snapping them up.

The overall feel of this year's show reflects the good times in the auto business – sales are booming. Still, automakers are looking to the future, and setting their sights on millennials, who so far at least, haven't shown the passion for cars and driving demonstrated by generations of their elders.   

The LA Auto Show opens to the public on Friday and runs through Thanksgiving weekend.