For car companies, it was all lights, camera, action at the 2018 LA Auto Show.

In the spotlight, the new Mercedes-Benz GLE literally danced onto stage using its E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension. Followed by a world debut twin-turbo V8 rush from the 469-horsepower Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe… the 550-horsepower Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster… and the limited edition 577-horsepower Mercedes-AMG GT R PRO.

No headliner was brighter in LA than the all-new 2020 Porsche 911. While the look remains classic, this 9-9-2 Carrera S touts 443 horsepower from its twin-turbo flat-six.

Nissan drove into frame with an update of their flagship Maxima sedan…and luxurious Murano crossover. Both with more tech and eye appeal than ever.

Appealing to large families is the BMW X7 Sports Activity Vehicle, complete with standard three row seating. For more intimate driving there’s the 382-horsepower M340i xDrive sedan. The BMW 8 Series convertible joins the coupe. And, the Z4 roadster and futuristic Vision iNEXT Concept.

A huge crowd gathered for the most anticipated new Jeep in decades. The Gladiator midsize pickup joins the rugged line-up with V6 and diesel power.

Honda’s staring roll was taken by the return of the Passport. This 5-passenger utility slips in between the compact CR-V and three-row Pilot.

The Hyundai Palisade is the Korean brand’s new flagship utility. An all-new chassis provides room for 8. Using your phone as the key adds to the luxury of the redesigned mid-size Lincoln Aviator.

Its official, an even more sporty Mazda3 will be available with a new SkyActive-X gasoline-compression engine, and all-wheel drive. 

Audi debuted the e-tron GT concept to EV hungry Californians. The all-electric four-door coupe promises 590-horsepower and all-wheel drive.

Toyota is adding more electrified models with the Corolla Hybrid. And for the first time the hybrid Prius will send power to all four wheels.

Kia’s big star was a cooler than ever, third generation Soul compact urban utility. Gas power now…EV to come. Subaru too plugged in with its Crosstrek Hybrid. 

Three electric motors power the rugged looking Mitsubishi e-Evolution Concept.

And, Volkswagen’s electric ambitions include the I.D. BUZZ CARGO concept.  All three 2019 Green Car Journal award winners can turn their wheels with electricity. The Honda Insight hybrid is Green Car of the Year. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is Green SUV of the Year. And, Green Luxury Car of the Year goes to the Jaguar I-PACE.  Finally, two possible future Green winners arrived, the Rivian R1T pickup, and R1S SUV concepts. U.S. based Rivian says their Electric Adventure Vehicles will have a range of up to 400 miles when sales start in 2020.

As you can see, LA was a really big auto show! And that’s it for this week’s Motor News.