2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Vehicle

The North American version in LAthat makes its debut at the LA Auto Show is all but identical to its Japanese counterpart and it has an aerodynamic body with clean character lines, LED exterior lighting and 18-inch alloy wheels. Customers can choose between three colors, namely red, white and black. Standard equipment includes Honda's comprehensive array of driver assist systems. The cabin can seat five in its leather-wrapped seats and the infotainment system comes with a large touchscreen and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support.

Compared to the original FCX, the Clarity features a fuel cell stack that's 33 percent more compact and its power density is up by 60 percent. The fuel cell powertrain is comparable to a 3.5-liter V6 in size and it fits entirely under the hood, making room for a spacious cabin.

The automaker didn't release any output figures on the Clarity FCV, but from previous releases we know that the fuel cell stack has a total capacity of 100kW and the electric motor generates 174hp (177 PS). Filling its tank with hydrogen takes approximately three minutes and the total driving range is estimated to exceed 300 miles (483 km).

Honda will use the platform underpinning the Clarity Fuel Cell as the foundation for the next PHEV, which will launch in the United States by 2018. This will get the two-motor hybrid plug-in system with improvements in battery capacity and power, offering "more than triple the 13-mile all-electric range of the Accord Sedan".

The hydrogen-powered model will be available at select fuel cell dealers in California, at first in Los Angeles and Orange County and then San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento. As hydrogen fueling networks expand, Honda will introduce it to other states, too.

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New BMW 330e Plug-In Hybrid

An MPV like the 2-Series Active Tourer would previously been unthinkable – front-wheel drive, a heresy, a betrayal against the brand's core values. The powers that be in BMW, of course, know very well that the 3-Series is their bread-and-butter model and their best-seller, so they make sure they don't meddle much with its successful recipe.

Nevertheless, electrification has become inevitable in order to meet the stringent norms concerning fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. This does not necessarily imply that driving pleasure has been compromised. According to BMW, the new 330e "adds to the 3-Series model range a plug-in hybrid variant that meets the highest standards of dynamics and efficiency".

The engineers might have used the know-how gained by the i-Series, but unlike the i3 and i8, as well as the 225xe Active Tourer that will also debut at the IAA, the 65kW/88 PS electric motor that's positioned in front of the eight-speed auto gearbox is mated not to the 1.5-liter three-cylinder, but the 184 PS, 2.0-liter four-cylinder.

Thus, the 330e has a total combined output of 252 PS and a peak torque of 420 Nm (310 lb-feat), with 100 Nm (74 lb-ft) – and, for small bursts, up to 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) - being available at all times by the eDrive system.

This enables the 330e to accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill in just 6.1 seconds and top out at 225 km/h (140 mph). Not bad for a premium compact saloon, especially when you factor in the 1.9-2.1 lt/100 km (148.7-134.5 mpg) average fuel consumption and its CO2 emissions that are just 44-49 g/km.

BMW claims that, in all-electric mode, the hybrid 3-Series has a range of 40 km (25 miles) at speeds up to 120 km/h (75 mph) before the petrol engine kicks in and the total range in everyday driving can reach 600 km (373 miles).

The 7.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack is situated under the boot, reducing its 480 lt capacity by 90 lt, though the company says that it has managed to keep the 50/50 weight balance and, anyway, the 370 lt that's available is still more than enough – plus, one can always fold the 40/20/40 split rear seat.

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Citroen DS 4 and DS 4 Crossback Facelift

The makeover consists of a new front end which sports the "DS Wings" grille design as well as new DS LED Vision headlights. Besides these, the new DS 4 Crossback adds a 30mm higher ride height and black alloy wheels, black wheel arch and bumper trims as well as grey roof bars for a more rugged appearance. Inside, the DS 4 and DS 4 Crossback feature door panels upholstered in Nappa leather and semi-aniline leather upholstery with the brand’s signature "watch strap" design.

Another update for the DS 4 is the introduction of a two-tone paint option with a choice of four colors for the roof and rear spoiler, the door mirrors and hub caps. The optional Perla Nera Black, Whisper Purple, Virtual Blue or Tourmaline Orange finish on the roof mean that up to 38 color combinations are possible. There are nine body colors available, including three new hues: Tourmaline Orange, Artense Grey and Platinum Grey.

The facelifted DS 4 will be the first DS vehicle in the PSA Group to offer CarPlay compatibility with the most recent Apple iPhones. The function will be accessed via a new 7-inch color touch screen which controls all vehicle functions, from navigation to music. In addition, thanks to the new touch screen the center console requires 12 fewer buttons. Other available features include a reversing camera, keyless entry and start, as well as blind spot monitoring.

The engine lineup for the refreshed DS 4 includes six engines (three petrol and three diesel units) with outputs ranging from 120PS to 210PS. The most powerful engine is a new THP 210 S&S 6-speed manual fitted for the first time to a DS vehicle. The engine delivers 210PS (208hp) at 6,000rpm and 285Nm (210lb-ft) of torque from 1,750rpm to 4,000rpm. The DS 4 Crossback will launch with two engines – a 130PS petrol unit and a 120PS diesel.

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Classics 1935 Skoda 935

The major attraction was of course the Skoda 935 Dynamic prototype, a streamlined concept dating back to 1935 which was carefully restored back to its original condition by Skoda themselves. This is after all the only one in existence globally, with its last public appearance set back in October 1935 at the Motor Show in Prague where the Skoda 935 Dynamic made its debut. With its teardrop-shaped body, the 935 was exhibiting one of the most progressive designs in the auto industry at the time.

The mid-engined concept is using a body made out of aluminum/steel composite which kept the weight figure down at 1170kg. The water-cooled flat-four 2.0-litre engine is mounted in front of the rear axle and produces 54hp, enough the take the aerodynamic 935 at speed up to 140km/h. Measuring 4.86m in length, 1.68m wide and 1.54m high, this Skoda prototype is a testament of the innovative power that fuelled Skoda back then.

The car was a part of a private collection from 1939 and up until 1968 where the then newly-founded Skoda Museum bought it with Skoda deciding a full restoration back to its original glory in 2012.

Skoda showcased nine cars in total, with the rest of them to be the Laurin & Klement Voiturette A (1905), Laurin & Klement Type S (1911), Laurin & Klement 110 (1925), ŠKODA 645 (1930), ŠKODA Rapid Cabrio de Luxe (1937), ŠKODA Superb OHV (1939), ŠKODA Felicia (1961) and the ŠKODA 1100 MBX (1969).

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Alfa Romeo Giulietta Business Edition

Changes are most obvious on the 1.6 JTDM-2 engine, which now benefits from more power as well, as output has increased from 105hp to 120hp. Thanks to the addition of a variable-geometry turbo charger and low rolling-resistance tyres, CO2 emissions are down from 104g/km to 99g/km, while fuel efficiency improves to 74.3 mpg (3.8 l/100 km) on the official combined fuel economy cycle. That's a significant improvement over the 70.6 mpg (4 l/100 km) recorded by the current 105hp engine.

The drop in emissions results in a one percent BIK (benefit-in-kind) reduction to 17 percent. Furthermore, the annual Road Fund Licence is now £0. Thanks to the additional power, the engine boosts top speed by 6 mph (10 km/h) to 121 mph (195 km/h), while the 0-62 mph sprint is improved by 1.3 seconds to 10.0 seconds.

All other engines available for the Giulietta in the UK see their emissions and economy improved, with the exception of the recently-introduced 2.0 JTDM-2 turbo diesel with 150hp. Despite the updates, pricing remains unchanged, with the 1.4 TB 120hp Progression starting at £18,450 OTR and the 1.6 JTDM-2 120hp Progression priced from £19,500 OTR.

The high-spec Alfa Romeo Business Edition model starts from £19,080 OTR for the 1.6 JTDM-2 120hp turbo diesel. The model features a 6.5-inch touchscreen Uconnect infotainment system with voice activated satellite navigation, 3D mapping and DAB digital radio, front and rear parking sensors, automatic lights and wipers, alloy wheels and metallic paint.

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2017 Audi A4 Diesel Version

According to a report from Motor Authority, which cites official information offered by the company, the 2017 Audi A4 will launch with two engine choices in the US, both of which will be equipped exclusively with Quattro all-wheel drive. There will be a 2.0-liter TFSI turbocharged gasoline four-cylinder unit rated at 252hp and 273lb-ft (370Nm) of torque, as well as a 2.0-liter TDI turbo diesel rated at 190hp and 295lb-ft (400Nm) of torque.

Both engine variants will be available with front-wheel drive too later in the model year. Both units will be mated to Audi's 7-speed S Tronic dual-clutch transmission, and no, there won't be any CVT offered. Audi hasn't released fuel economy numbers yet, but the automaker promises a 21 percent improvement in fuel efficiency. The automaker didn't rule out a manual transmission option, which could even be offered with the diesel.

As for body styles, the US market will get the A4 first as a sedan and later as an Allroad jacked-up estate, which means the A4 Avant will most likely not be available. However, the S4 and RS4 high-performance models are likely to arrive in the US. Pricing for the 2017 Audi A4 will be announced closer to launch.

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