The LA Auto Show Is A Great Place To Get A Free Espresso*

"Andrew T. Maness" (theroadlessdriven) 11/21/2014 at 19:00 • Filed to: LA Auto Show, Happenings, Events, Auto Show, New Car, Andrew Maness, Maybach, Mercedes, Audi, Toyota, Jaguar, Cadillac

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* if you drink espresso, I don't so they're no photos of aforementioned free espressos.

The LA Auto Show is an event that I look forward to all year. It's only 20 minutes from my place of residence without traffic (hour and 15 with) which means that unlike so many of the attending members of the press I get to go home and put my feet up at the end of the day.

I consider this to be an advantage because time away from the big machine that is the automotive industry gives one perspective. If I was staying in a hotel downtown I would have attended all the ultra exclusive parties held by the industry luminaries such as Porsche, Jaguar, Mercedes and Hyundai. The schmoozing would have continued long into the night and I would have likely found myself loosing all credibility as an objective, highly critical blogger.

You see I'm just another Opponaut, a car obsessed nerd who just happens to be devilishly good looking. I don't often like to trade on my good looks but when it comes to cars, I have no shame. I took showers before going to the auto show BOTH DAYS and even combed my beard. I find that you look like a young Adam Sandler with facial hair, it's hard for people to say no to you.

So with my boots cleaned and my best denim jacket on, I set out for a second day of interviews and awkward business card exchanges. I think it went pretty damn well, got great stuff from BMW, Jaguar, Mazda, Toyota and GM. Not every company has a person who is guaranteed to be good on camera but on a scale of 1 to Anne Hathaway most of the people I spoke with were a solid Nic Cage.

Aside from interviewing as many gatekeepers as possible, I chatted with a number of photographers, journalists, foreign dignitaries and living mannequins that guard the vehicles. What I ascertained from speaking with these folks was that our community is expanding faster than John Goodman's waistline. When I mentioned that I contribute to Oppositelock and occasionally get an article on Jalopnik their eyes lit up. "Oh I love Jalopnik!" was a phrase I heard over and over again. I know that it's the most read automotive website out there but it's still surprising to encounter such enthusiasm from such a diverse group of people. I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised in the least. After all, the types of people that attend the LA Auto Show are as varied as the brands exhibiting within the convention center but ultimately they're all there for the same reason, they love cars free espresso.

I know Patrick posted a shot of this already but it's worth posting over and over again.

Did Toyota seriously use the Hallmark font for their Heritage section?

The F-Type Project 7 is a real heartbreaker. I still don't care for that hood stripe though.

BMW now offers really clean Spotify integration as part of their technology package. Just make sure you don't accidentally click TransAtlantic Lullaby while driving, that probably won't end well.

Here's the coolest thing Mercedes builds in front of the lamest thing Mercedes builds.

The guy I spoke with at Mercedes told me that there are a number of these currently in the press fleet...

AMG GT S Launch Edition hiding in the shadows. This car made me weak in the knees.

One man, one engine. That's what sets AMG apart. Worth noting that the plastic cover you see is not over the engine it's over the axle. The engine sits as close to the cockpit as possible making for 47/53 weight distribution. Neat-O!

It's got a very useable trunk, might even be able to fit a dead hooker in it.

Very tidy cockpit in the GT S, much more ergonomic than the SLS. The shifter which you see behind the touch pad is a little tough to reach back for when I had the seat positioned for "spirited" driving. However, once you put it in drive you don't need to use it so I suppose than can be forgiven.

This cover is a $8,200 option on the Maybach and is made out of 900 year old silk woven on a loom that dates back the 3rd age of Aquarius.

The door was open...

Boss' view.

Doesn't come with complimentary bottles of Clicquot, bullshit.

Does come with that creepy clown face steering wheel though.

And a guaranteed sense of entitlement. Still, I love the unabashed opulence of this car.

Open pore wood in the GL 63 AMG. The interior was the best smelling of the show.

Attack of the drones!

My favorite debut of the show. I love what this car represents and I believe in it.

Just a great front end. Matte black the chrome and you've got yourself a stormtrooper.

I really, really hope they build this thing because it's fucking badass and would sell like wildfire with that 2.8L Duramax diesel in it.

It's even worse in person. Go home Lexus, you're drunk. Worst concept of the show.

Best concept of the show. Can't wait to see how Audi incorporates this design language into their lineup.

Here's one of those living mannequins I mentioned. They're so life like it's crazy!

Already looking forward to next year, maybe I can convince the RCR guys to come out, that'd be amazing.

Andrew Maness writes about cars because he has one and also has a computer. He's been known to drunkenly Tweet as !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and upload photos to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . He also has a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and thinks talking about himself in the 3rd person is really weird but knows it's necessary if he wants to be taken seriously as an Oppo contributor.

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Cé hé sin > Andrew T. Maness 11/21/2014 at 14:58

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"One man, one engine. That's what sets AMG apart."

Somewhat surprisingly a few of their engine builders could not be described as men.

So, one person, one engine.

Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man > Andrew T. Maness 11/21/2014 at 15:06

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Why in the Sam hell am I not there?

Andrew T. Maness > Cé hé sin 11/21/2014 at 17:46

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Yes, that is true. I was just quoting the Mercedes product specialist who was talking about that particular engine which was built by a man.

Not implying that women cannot build engines.

mossytire > Andrew T. Maness 11/21/2014 at 20:50

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Get Mr. Regular a Job at Jalopnik. You guys have great writers, having Mr. Regular in your bullpen would be a huge plus he has the writing chops and drive to get the job done.

soundman98 > Andrew T. Maness 11/21/2014 at 21:00

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horizontal stripes make it look thinner.. or are they vertical strips? maybe maserati is just trying to mask the size of the engine..

dollabillyall > Andrew T. Maness 11/21/2014 at 21:02

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"...I don't so they're no photos... "

Not quite.

b33g33 > Andrew T. Maness 11/21/2014 at 21:02

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looks like the hooker wasn't quite dead ...

Snooder87 > Cé hé sin 11/21/2014 at 21:24

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Bah, the qualities of manliness transcend mere physical details like genitalia.

fintail > Cé hé sin 11/21/2014 at 21:37

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A few, but odds greatly favor that engine being assembled, in fact, by a man.

fintail > Andrew T. Maness 11/21/2014 at 21:40

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MB does have the new car smell thing perfected - new ones can smell amazing inside.

JesusFingChrist > soundman98 11/21/2014 at 22:17

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I was partial to the Infinity concept. Beautiful lines, etc., but the front and rear lights were stunning. Some pics I took:

El-Verde > soundman98 11/21/2014 at 22:32

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I... Forgive me... But I have absolutely no idea what any of your comment means.

Those are horizontal stripes, which tend to make things look fatter. And what Maserati?

Saracen > Andrew T. Maness 11/21/2014 at 22:52

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Isn't this the massive intake, like on the SLS and SLR?

Saracen > Andrew T. Maness 11/21/2014 at 22:53

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Hmm. Maybe if you chop the body up a bit. Or if it was a midget hooker.

Saracen > Andrew T. Maness 11/21/2014 at 22:54

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Wow. As bad as it looked in pictures, it was never anywhere near this bad.... barf.

Maxxuman > Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man 11/21/2014 at 23:46

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Are you a hooker?

Oh, sorry, I thought you were talking about the trunk photo.

soundman98 > El-Verde 11/22/2014 at 00:30

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crap. jaguar.

i saw it and was reminded of this

there's a reason i don't drive one..

aeOzzy > soundman98 11/22/2014 at 01:38

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That's a Jag :)

Duke Togo > Cé hé sin 11/22/2014 at 04:12

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Wow.

crayon-mayonnaise > Andrew T. Maness 11/22/2014 at 04:26

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This is a much better(more well written and an oddly more encompassing look of auto shows even though it is not comprehensive) post than pretty much all of Jalopnik's coverage. I hope they pay the writer for this!

ReaperChief > Andrew T. Maness 11/22/2014 at 04:38

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I actually like this concept.. It looks bonkers and it's from Toyota! Yay!

ReaperChief > Andrew T. Maness 11/22/2014 at 04:39

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Whole car is a copy of the S-Coupe. I'd love to see it on the road as the A9, but I would always pick the Merc..

Wheelerguy > Andrew T. Maness 11/22/2014 at 06:40

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While I prefer my GTP cars with pronounced wheel arches, I dig this.

Wheelerguy > Andrew T. Maness 11/22/2014 at 06:41

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While I can just dismiss this as a Japanese E-Type, I just can't help but keep falling and falling and falling in love with the 2KGT.

redrobot5 > Andrew T. Maness 11/22/2014 at 10:10

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The white Miata is the best looking car in the group.*

It's also the cheapest.

how cool is that!

*yes yes ymmv, but i really think so!

D'Arqangelle > Andrew T. Maness 11/22/2014 at 10:41

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* if you drink espresso, I don't so they're no photos of aforementioned free espressos.

Are you trying to say "...if you drink espresso. I don't, so there're no photos of aforementioned free espressos"?

Nisman > Andrew T. Maness 11/22/2014 at 10:52

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Anybody else spot the Easter Island Head?

iggysaab9 > Andrew T. Maness 11/22/2014 at 12:02

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CAN'T BE UNSEEN

Zach Roether > Andrew T. Maness 11/22/2014 at 12:43

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This front end is so bad, it looks photoshopped. And yet, there it is. Ouch!

El-Verde > soundman98 11/22/2014 at 12:46

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nobody's perfect :-D

Stef Schrader > Andrew T. Maness 11/22/2014 at 12:50

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These wheels are a trip. Un-chrome them and me likey.

Andrew T. Maness > Stef Schrader 11/22/2014 at 13:03

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lets get #unchromeeverything trending.

Andrew T. Maness > Snooder87 11/22/2014 at 13:06

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I agree with this.

Andrew T. Maness > b33g33 11/22/2014 at 13:07

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HAH!

Andrew T. Maness > Wheelerguy 11/22/2014 at 13:08

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First time I've seen one in person, it's just so damn beautiful.

Andrew T. Maness > fintail 11/22/2014 at 13:09

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Yeah, they need to in order to mask the stench of elitism brought in by occupants.

Andrew T. Maness > Saracen 11/22/2014 at 13:11

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I don't know, I kinda zoned out on the carbon fiber while the engineer was talking to me. I just remember him talking about the two turbos and the engine placement.

Andrew T. Maness > ReaperChief 11/22/2014 at 13:12

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While it is similar and meant to compete with the S-Coupe, it cuts a very different profile in person. It's sleeker and more streamlined where as the S-Coupe is a big bruiser. Both are beautiful but man, the digital dash in the Audi, wow.

MelissaMPorter > Andrew T. Maness 11/22/2014 at 13:21

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Start working at home with Google! It's by-far the best job I've had. Last Wednesday I got a brand new BMW since getting a check for $6474 this - 4 weeks past. I began this 8-months ago and immediately was bringing home at least $77 per hour. I work through this link, go? to tech tab for work detail

>>>>>>>>> http://www.WorkRipple.com

ReaperChief > Andrew T. Maness 11/22/2014 at 13:39

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I didn't say it isn't gorgeous.. Just that I like the S-Coupe more. I could add that while a Merc has it's target audience, the Audi is more centered towards hip(ster) and fashionable people. Personally, I always like some competition and seeing this, the S-Coupe, the Conti GT and the Rolls Wraith, I kinda love the future.

fintail > Andrew T. Maness 11/22/2014 at 13:52

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It's not a Bentley or Maserati (which seem to be top choice for sketchy money in my zipcode).

Andrew T. Maness > ReaperChief 11/22/2014 at 14:10

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Without healthy competition we would all be driving beigemobiles. I'm very much in love with the future, we're living in the 2nd golden age of automobiles.

Andrew T. Maness > fintail 11/22/2014 at 14:16

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Haha. Sketchy money does LOVE a good used Bentley or Maserati.

Wilson > Andrew T. Maness 11/22/2014 at 14:23

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Let's hear it for Lexus. They have done the impossible and found a way to make their grill look even worse. Market research must have found a small segment that wasn't completely turned off by previous versions. This concept grill should solve that.

boneheadotto > Andrew T. Maness 11/22/2014 at 15:32

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hiding Darth Vader.

boneheadotto > Andrew T. Maness 11/22/2014 at 15:34

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This sill age about as well as installing a palm pilot in your car. Come to think of it, it looks like a giant flip phone.

Adam L > Andrew T. Maness 11/22/2014 at 15:51

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Saw a 2014 with paper plates today in Austin. Hopefully, I wiped my drool off before the owner saw me.

Lorna J. Brown > Andrew T. Maness 11/22/2014 at 17:23

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Start working at home with Google! It's by-far the best job I've had. Last Wednesday I got a brand new BMW since getting a check for $6474 this - 4 weeks past. I began this 8-months ago and immediately was bringing home at least $77 per hour. I work through this link, go to tech tab for work detail

———————————> http://www.jobs700.com

NoahFect > Cé hé sin 11/22/2014 at 17:38

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Meh, I'll take an engine built by robots any day. Quality means the 99,999th one is exactly the same as the first.

Old-world artisanal craftsmen (and women) will make some engines that are better than others, and they will make some that are worse. And I don't feel lucky.

NoahFect > Wheelerguy 11/22/2014 at 17:39

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It looks more like a Daytona than an E-Type. From the good old days when the Japanese copied Ferrari's styling, rather than the other way around.

Cé hé sin > NoahFect 11/22/2014 at 19:19

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Truth be told, they are built mainly by robots. It's just that rather than have different people doing the various manual tasks necessary one person does it.

BomberJohn > Andrew T. Maness 11/22/2014 at 23:52

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What is this, a sliding snake?

fintail > Andrew T. Maness 11/23/2014 at 01:41

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And Range Rover, can't forget those.