Best Luxury Car: 2014 Maserati Ghibli
Paul Williams – While Maserati executives waxed enthusiastically about their new Ghibli sedan at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show, the big thing from my point of view was the US price: $65,000 and change. For a Maserati. Okay, now we’re talking! Based on the magnificent Maserati Quattroporte but shorter, the Maserati Ghibli is in the BMW 5 Series size range; maybe a bit bigger.
Two engine options were mentioned, both based on a turbocharged 3.0L V6 built by Ferrari. In the base, rear-wheel drive model, the engine makes a sturdy 330 hp, while in the S and all-wheel drive Q4 S model, a twin-turbocharged version pumps out 410 hp. The latter car is expected to sell at around $75,000. I love the idea of an “affordable,” or shall we say, “competitively priced” luxury contender from Maserati. Can they make enough? Will they have a sufficient dealer network? Will they be in Canada? Apparently they’re already here, but they’re just trickling in. Bring ’em on, I say! –PW
Best GT-R (Ever): 2016 Nissan GT-R Nismo
Okay, this is just another trim on the ever-evolving GT-R, but c’mon, GT-R! And of course, it has the numbers: 600 hp, over 480 lb-ft of torque, 7:08 on the Nurburgring, the ultimate standard in performance car supremacy. And hey, look, Usain Bolt! –JY
  2013 LA Autoshow Highlights. Click image to enlarge |
Best Truck: 2015 Chevrolet Colorado
At the very opposite end of the spectrum from Godzilla, we have this basic little work truck that could make waves in the pickup market. GM is returning to the small pickup scene in North America while Ford and Dodge have vacated it. With four-cylinder and V6 power upon arrival next year, the Colorado will then receive a 2.8L I4 Duramax diesel for the 2016 model year. The Colorado should be extremely competitive with a broad range of configurations and powertrains compared to competition like Honda Ridgeline, Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier.
Best Food and Clever Use of Vehicle: Grilled Cheese at Nissan booth
One can’t survive a full day traipsing around an auto show without human fuel, and Nissan converted one of its NV commercial vans into a mini food truck serving delectable little gourmet grilled cheeses by a company (aptly named The Grilled Cheese Truck) right around their midday press conference, showing the versatility of the platform and winning over at least one fan right here.
But this wasn’t just some regular grade fuel – these little grilled cheeses were like diesel or race-spec high-octane fuel, one of them stuffed with mac n’ cheese and BBQ pork. Awesome. Thanks, Nissan!
  Nissan NV Grilled Cheese Truck photo by Keith Cizowski. Click image to enlarge |
Biggest Atrocity: Youabian Puma
Who let this thing into the building? I nearly threw up when I saw this thing. Such an abomination had no place in the LA Convention Centre in proximity with so many great and interesting vehicles. This thing is so hideous that we won’t show it to you on this page, but if you must see it, click here. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. –JY
It was gross. What for? I thought Murano convertible on steroids… No, that doesn’t begin to convey the elephantine ugliness. –PW
