The latest vehicle models, the fastest cars, the most exotic rides and pretty much everything on four — and even two wheels — will be parked at the Los Angeles Convention Center as the LA Auto Show rolls into town starting this weekend..
“We’re able to open the doors to everyone connected with automobiles. Usually if you go to a car show it might be motor sports themed, or vintage car themed, or hot rods, or new cars. Well we have all that here,” said David Fortin, vice president of marketing for the LA Auto Show.
The Auto Show takes place from Friday, Nov. 22 through Dec. 1 with hundreds of vehicles on display from major and innovative manufacturers throughout the entirety of the Convention Center. There are also custom vehicles, prototypes, lowriders and famous movie cars on display.
It’s a huge show that attracts hundreds of thousands of people who are able to check out the cars up close and in most cases they can also step right into the vehicles for an even closer look at cool rides.
“It’s a great family event and a tradition for many families,” Fortin said.
But there’s a lot more to do at the Auto Show. So here are a few things visitors can do that go beyond just looking at cars.
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Get behind the wheel
Some manufacturers offer test drives of their vehicles around the streets of downtown L.A. Dubbed the “City Ride” experience, it’s always been a popular tradition at the Auto Show and people line up early for a chance to rev up an engine and hit the road. This year show attendees can ride cars such as the Volvo C40, the Subaru Outback, Jeep Wrangler, the beefy RAM 2500, a Dodge Hornet, the tiny and fun Fiat 500e and others.
Fans of electric vehicles can also get behind the wheel at the show’s “Electric Avenue” installation. There people can drive EVs like the Cadillac Lyriq, the Rivian R1T, the Chevrolet Silverado, luxurious Lucid Air and others. But the EVs don’t hit the streets, instead people drive them on a one-mile test track around the Convention Center.
Go off road
While attendees aren’t going to actually get to drive these latest off-road vehicles, they can sit in the passenger seat as professional drivers take them over obstacles, steep hills and bumpy roads as part of the Camp Jeep and Ford’s Bronco Mountain experiences.
At Camp Jeep, passengers will tackle obstacles that simulate the testing required on the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe, Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe, and the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon before they go to market. At Ford’s Bronco Mountain, people will ride shotgun through an indoor/outdoor off-road course and over the notorious Bronco Mountain, which was a pretty steep track last year, so be ready for some vertical fun.
Remote-controlled cars
Head down to the South Atrium and check out the mini track where remote-controlled cars are zipping around in an intense race. Once that gets you pumped up for action go back upstairs to the Volkswagen exhibit in the South Hall where you can take the wheel of a racing game against other people. And guess what, the track you see in front of you on the screen is the mini track you saw downstairs because you are now the one driving the remote-controlled cars through cameras mounted on the vehicles.
Get your gaming on
Gamers are going to want to head to the Kentia Hall to the Digital Overdrive booth. This is where you’ll find the Sim Racing and Esports gaming arena and games like Need for Speed, Wreckfest, Mario Kart and Rocket League.
Woof there it is
If you need a dog to go along with that new car you’ll find at the Auto Show then head on over to South Terrace to the DoVE Pet Adoption booth. That’s where people can find and adopt a new best friend to be your road dog in that new ride.
LA Auto Show
When: Nov. 22-Dec. 1
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles
Tickets: Starting at $9 for children ages 6-12, $13 for seniors ages 65 and over; and $24 for adults.
Information: laautoshow.com
